Updated on
Summary
The Upper House of the Parliament Wednesday resumed debate on the situation arising out of the recent unprecedented and devastating floods in the country. Deputy Chairman Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali demanded the government to constitute a commission to look into the causes of the devastation caused by the flash floods.He said Sindh irrigation department responded very irresponsibly during the floods, adding that the department did not give any intimation to Balochistan irrigation department regarding the flood water released by it. He said it was the reason that resulted in great devastation in Balochistan provinces and this should be probed. He appreciated the President and Prime Minister for personally visiting flood affected areas of Balochistan and their assurance of every possible assistance for the flood affected people. He deplored that the provincial government was not taking any action on the advice of the President and the Prime Minister, adding that provincial autonomy does not mean to defy the orders of President and Prime Minister. Jamali said that the Supreme Court has ordered to constitute a commission to look into causes of flood devastation, adding that the responsibles should be given exemplary punishment for their wrong decisions. I dont know where the flood protection money was spent, the flood water is still there, and the commission should also probe embezzlement of flood protection money, he said.He also appreciated the role of Pakistan Army in relief activities, the Pak Army done a tremendous job during floods, he remarked. Adviser to Prime Minister Raza Rabbani said that the recent flash floods were world biggest disaster and this was also acknowledged by the world community. He said the sufferings of poor people are continued and the government has to make the rehabilitation and reconstruction process transparent. He hoped that the commission formed after the meeting of Prime Minister and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, would do its job with sincerity and commitment. He said the floods not only caused loss of lives and properties rather it damaged the society as well as structure. If the political leadership would not address these losses the coming generation would not forgive us, he added.Rabbani said imposition of new taxes would result in unforeseen consequences including anarchy and civil war in the society. He said the Finance Ministry should consider that imposition of new taxes would exert further burden on middle and lower middle classes. Quoting Finance Minister, Rabbani said that the industrialists, feudal lords and upper class of Pakistan were not paying taxes. He said the government especially Finance Ministry should take up the matter with international community and request them to write off loans for Pakistan as the loans of Egypt, Brazil and Haiti were written off. He said the government instead of taking new loans should demand the world community to write off the previous loans.
