KARACHI:Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in his televised message on Wednesday urged all philanthropists to come and help rain-affected people of the province which was enduring a catastrophe like never before.
“I have visited almost all the districts of the province and found it’s every nook and corner inundated, making it look like a river,” he said and added that the people temporarily settled at relief camps were in a state of shock and distress after losing their near and dear ones, cattle and other belongings.
The CM said that he along with Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also visited relief camps where women and children were living in distress. “This painful situation has left a hole in our hearts,” he said and added that President Asif Ali Zardari was also in touch with them and was aware of the situation.
He said Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was keen to visit flood affected people but the weather condition was an obstacle in his arrival. “We all are trying to arrange tents, mosquito nets, beds, edibles, medicines and other such things for the affected people,” he said hoping for the availability of essential goods within few days.
Shah said that the riverine floods of 2010 had submerged all the cities, towns and villages on the right bank of River Indus while the flash flood of 2011 had flooded the entire left bank and in those days the road network was not so good and despite that philanthropists had helped the homeless and displaced people.
The CM said: “Compared to 2010 and 2011 our road network, including link roads and farm to market roads, provides easy access, therefore the philanthropists, welfare organisations and donor agencies should visit to take stock of the situation and help and support the distressed people accordingly.”
Murad Ali Shah assured the people living in the camps along the main roads and on the riverine belt that they were not alone. “Your government is reaching out to each and every one of you,” he reassured them.
The CM urged the people of the province to look after the poor, rain-affected and helpless people living around them till the government reach out to them. “You have to bridge the gap between them and the government,” he urged the affluent people and remarked that the time had come to look beyond oneself and one’s family and help others.
Shah said that this year the province had received around 600 percent more rainfall than the usual rains. “These rains have not only flooded the residential areas but have caused high flood in River Indus,” he said.
The chief minister urged people to support each other at this difficult time. “You have to face the situation with patience, courage and empathy,” he urged and warned the hoarders not to indulge in hoarding, profiteering and artificial price hike.
“I hope that everyone understands the gravity of the situation and no one dares to create a law and order situation in the province,” Shah warned.