PA speaker says flood victims to get economic relief

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Saturday said the recent floods wreaked unprecedented havoc in Punjab, leaving the affectees in such a condition that they could not pay electricity bills or service bank loans.

Speaking to the media after the inauguration of a two-day Colour and Chem Exhibition at Expo Centre here, the PA speaker said the government would not leave the flood victims in the lurch.

The exhibition, organised by Event and Conference International, has drawn participation from more than 150 national and international companies. Among those present were former FPCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar, the exhibition’s chief patron Abdul Rahim Chughtai, organiser Rashidul Haq, as well as Chinese and other foreign delegates.

Malik Ahmad Khan said: “Wherever one looks, there is nothing but water. For the first time, words fail me in capturing the suffering of the people. The consequences of flawed decisions are plain to see, and we must now develop projects to store water along our rivers.”

To a question, he said that the livelihoods of flood victims had been destroyed. “We will request Awais Khan Leghari to waive electricity bills or bank loans for those who were the hardest hit by the natural disaster.

This catastrophe is the result of human interference and climate change. The decision-makers themselves are also accountable,” he asserted.

Dismissing as unfounded rumours of a canal overflow in Lahore, he urged the public not to be misled by fake news, but instead to rely on official government updates and credible media reports.

He stressed that while most cities in Punjab remained safe, districts including Sialkot, Chiniot, and Hafizabad were facing difficulties.

Turning to India, the speaker stated, “New Delhi cannot suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Such an act would be illegal and immoral. Both sides have suffered destruction. Even during the wars of 1965 and 1971, the Indus Waters Commission continued to function. How can India imagine playing with the lives of millions?

“It appears that Prime Minister Modi is perhaps intent on encouraging climate catastrophe.”

He commended the hard work of the Punjab Chief Minister, adding: “My Prime Minister and my Chief Minister are standing shoulder to shoulder with the people in this calamity, offering comfort and support.” He also voiced strong support for the construction of new dams.

On wider challenges, Malik Ahmad Khan cautioned: “If the timber mafia, stone mafia and housing society mafia continue unchecked, Punjab will cease to remain Punjab. For now, the government’s priority is relief and rehabilitation, as this is a matter of survival for the people. The nation and the government are united in standing with the victims.”