Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday that aid to the tune of the Rs66 billion has been distributed among flood affectees while urging stakeholders to put political differences aside and support relief efforts.

The premier made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of National Flood Response and Coordination Centre (NFRCC) in Islamabad on Thursday.

A day earlier, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Special Safety Shazia Marri revealed that the flood cash relief assistance has been disbursed among 2,646,000 families so far. “A total of Rs.66.17 billion rupees has been distributed to the affected families across the country through the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).”

During today’s meeting, PM Shehbaz noted that the flood death toll had exceeded 1,700, He added that the NDMA had disbursed Rs1 million to each family who had lost a member to floods.

He pointed out that the government had received claims amounting to Rs880 million.

The premier said essential items like tents, medicines, food packages, water and mosquito nets have been distributed across the country as per the requirement of every flood affected area.

He added that China would provide ‘high-quality tents’ for the upcoming winter season.

There has been concern that those who lost their homes during the floods and are living under open skies or in makeshift tent cities would be vulnerable during the winter that usually begins in November.

Speaking about government’s rehabiltiation initiatives for farmers, Shehbaz said that the government would provide seeds to farmers in flood-hit areas at the start of the wheat sowing season. Wheat is a rabi crop which is cultivated in October and November and harvested in after February-March/

He added that the federal and provincial governments would split the cost of the seeds provided to the farmers.

PM criticised Imran’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab in view of the relief work in the flood-hit areas. “Sindh and Balochistan governments have provided the action plan whereas, we have not received it from KP and Punjab,” told PM Shahbaz.

Punjab wheat shortage

Meanwhile, as Punjab deals with impending wheat shortage while requesting the federal government to replenish its stocks, the prime minister ruled out allowing the private sector to import wheat.

“I will not allow that the private sector to procure wheat at a price of their choice.” He hastened to add that he was not blaming the private sector or raising questions about their intent.

He added that the federal cabinet was trying to import the commodity and save billions at a time when the floods had devastated the country while Pakistan was also facing a deficit of foreign exchange. “We even negotiated with the lowest bidder and took discounts.”

The prime minister said the government would have been willing to give permission for wheat imports to the private sector under “normal circumstances” after consultation.

“But I will not allow the private sector to make fat profits, and then use Pakistan’s foreign exchange and then sell it to the consumer.