Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi visited the Talwar Post’s adjoining border village namely Bhiki Pind and other affected areas at the Ganda Singhwala location on a boat on Friday and assessed the flow of water in the Sutlej River.
India’s water aggression resulted in release of 70,700 cusecs of water in the Sutlej River. The CM inquired the locals about their issues and supervised relief activities. He directed to expedite relief efforts and to assess the damages in the submerged villages.
The CM ordered that essential food supplies and fodder should be provided to the affected villages and the needs of the affectees should be taken care of completely. He directed to increase the number of relief and medical camps and ensure proper arrangements for food and water for the people.
Mohsin Naqvi instructed to ensure the availability of essential medicines and vaccines in the medical camps and to continue monitoring the water situation in the river. Line departments should be kept informed about the inflow and outflow of water in real time. Provincial ministers, administration, and line departments were actively engaged in rescue and relief operations, he added.
Provincial Minister Azfar Ali Nasir, chief secretary, irrigation secretary, commissioner Lahore, Rescue 1122, PDMA, and others were also present.
CM visits Bibi Pakdaman shrine to review expansion work: Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi visited Bibi Pakdaman shrine to review progress on the ongoing renovation and expansion project.
Secretary Communication & Works gave a briefing on the renovation work. The chief minister urged acceleration on the work and set a deadline of five days to finish the expansion project. He emphasised the need to complete renovation of shrine’s premises as soon as possible. The primary goal was to have renovation and expansion project completed before the first of Muharram, he added. Mohsin Naqvi acknowledged that expansion would provide enhanced facilities for devotees, and widening the pathway would improve accessibility for visitors.
In consideration of the landowners affected by the project, the CM instructed the commissioner Lahore to ensure compensation based on the prevailing market rates.
Later, talking to the media, the chief minister underscored the commitment to open the shrine to the public by the first of Muharram, highlighting efforts dedicated to renovation and expansion project. Over 200 workers, alongside architect Nayyer Ali Dada and his team, were working round-the-clock.
The CM mentioned that provincial ministers, the commissioner, and relevant officials visited Ganda Singh Wala to oversee relief activities in the villages affected by the floods. With the decrease in the water level of the Sutlej River, 21 villages situated along the riverbed have been affected. Evacuation measures have been implemented, and relief operations were currently in progress, he said.
Provincial Ministers Amir Mir, Azfar Ali Nasir, architect Nayyer Ali Dada, CCPO Lahore, commissioner & DC Lahore, and others were present. PDMA asks administration to remain alert: Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab Imran Qureshi issued instructions to all administrations and organizations concerned across the province to remain fully alert in the wake of possible rains.
He emphasized that officers should be deployed in the field to ensure proper drainage of rainwater.
Providing an update on the weather conditions in the province, he stated that most districts will continue to experience hot and humid weather until tomorrow. However, cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Multan, DG Khan, Attock, Mianwali, and Chakwal are expected to receive thundershowers. Heavy rainfall is expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, and adjoining areas, he added.
Imran Qureshi urged all districts to be prepared for any emergency and appealed the public to stay informed about the weather conditions. Citizens are reminded to avoid contact with electric wires, poles, and electrical appliances during and after rains. People living in low-lying areas or near river basins are advised to move to safer locations. Farmers are advised to plan their activities in accordance with the weather forecast, he added.
In case of emergencies, citizens are urged to call the PDMA helpline at 1129 or contact the control room at 04299204408. The PDMA’s provincial control room remains active 24/7 to assist, ensure the safety of citizens, and monitor the overall situation, he concluded.
