By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE — Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, visited the flood-affected areas of Gujrat district on Friday, meeting with victims and assessing the ongoing relief activities.
Accompanied by Pakistan Muslim League lawmakers and party leaders, the minister distributed relief goods among flood-hit families and inspected the damaged DC embankment, which had been breached by floodwaters from Kashmir. He also reviewed the reconstruction work under way.
Speaking to media in the flood-hit area of Soo Kalan, near Jalalpur Jattan, Shafay Hussain said the Punjab government stands firmly with the flood victims and will not leave them alone in this crisis.
“Helping flood-affected families is both a national and religious duty. We will not rest until the last victim is rehabilitated,” he stressed, adding that the government believes in practical steps rather than hollow promises.
The minister announced that a survey of damages will be conducted after water recedes, following which the Punjab government will announce a comprehensive relief package. He said he had already apprised the Chief Minister of the ground realities in Gujrat, where floodwaters from Kashmir caused widespread devastation.
Shafay Hussain noted that the repair work on the broken embankment was progressing rapidly and machinery had been brought in from other areas to expedite water drainage from the city.
He highlighted that Rs15 billion worth of development funds had already been approved for Gujrat and assured transparent use of every rupee. “Earlier it took 10 days to drain water from Gujrat, now the system ensures drainage within 10 hours,” he added.
The minister also warned of strict action against those deliberately dumping garbage in drains, stressing that the district administration and relevant institutions were working round the clock to clear floodwaters.
During the visit, he directed officials to complete the reconstruction of the embankment at the earliest. Shafay Hussain also attended a briefing session chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister in Gujrat.
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