CM hails Turkish aid for Pak flood

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday that Turkey and Pakistan had close friendly relations and the Turkish government and people have extended all-out assistance to the earthquake and flood victims, which could never be forgotten.

He said that in addition to provision of relief items to flood affectees, Turkish people also played a commendable role in their rehabilitation.

He was talking to a delegation from Turkey representing various welfare organisations engaged in rehabilitation activities in the flood-hit areas of the province.

Representative of the mayor of Istanbul Municipality Kamil Kolabas, Member Provincial Assembly Hafiz Mian Nauman, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Health, Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority and District Coordination Officer Muzaffargarh were also present.

Shahbaz said Turkish welfare organisations were still engaged in rehabilitation activities in the flood-hit areas and they were constructing houses for the calamity-stricken people.

He said the Turkish organisations were also building mosques, schools, shops, hospitals and vocational institutions for the flood affectees.

The chief minister said that during his recent visit to Turkey, a number of agreements were signed for cooperation between the Punjab government and Turkey in various sectors, including power sector and Turkey would set up a 150MW power plant in Punjab.

He said agreements had also been signed with Turkey for cooperation in solid waste management and promotion of modern education and vocational training.

He said negotiations were held with Turkish experts for bus rapid transport system and cooperation in transport sector.

He said that he would always remember love extended to him during his visit to Turkey. The delegation said that Turkish welfare organisations were constructing 500 houses over 23 acres of land in Rajanpur, 340 houses over 92 acres in Fazilpur, Jampur, and 1,270 houses over 99 acres in Rakh Khanpur, Muzaffargarh.

Similarly, construction of girls and boys school in Kot Mithan, Rajanpur, hospital in Jampur, general hospital in Khanpur and other construction activities were also being carried out.

Senior Member Board of Revenue Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, Secretary Health Fawad Hassan Fawad and Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority Khalid Sherdil briefed the meeting on the ongoing rehabilitation activities in the flood-hit areas.