LAHORE: The Punjab government has refused to channel relief for flood victims through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari said, “Should we seek guidance from those who turned Sindh into an archaeological site? The Punjab government is assisting flood victims with its own resources and is not waiting for external aid. Despite receiving external assistance, people in Sindh have not fully recovered. What is the situation in Sindh and Karachi today? Even Bilawal Bhutto has praised the Punjab chief minister, and I find his remarks more credible. We can only pray for those who are engaged in flood politics.” She added that assistance could not be provided through BISP since many flood victims were not registered under the programme. Bukhari said that 4.7 million people had been affected by the floods, with 2.6 million shifted to safe locations. “The chief minister of Punjab has announced a comprehensive relief package following the completion of an initial survey. Under the package, the government will pay Rs20,000 per acre to farmers in flood-hit areas. Compensation of Rs1 million will be given for collapsed concrete houses and Rs500,000 for collapsed mud houses. In addition, Rs50,000 will be paid for the loss of a cow or buffalo,” she added.
