MUZAFFARGARH: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the federal and provincial governments to declare an agriculture emergency in Punjab. He made this demand on Monday during his visit to Muradabad Union Council in Muzaffargarh.
Floods Cause Heavy Losses
Bilawal reviewed flood-hit areas and met families who lost homes and crops. Moreover, he noted that Punjab had suffered the most destruction. Vast fields, livestock, and houses were wiped out by the recent heavy rains and floods.
Three Urgent Priorities
He outlined three immediate steps to tackle the disaster. First, authorities must rescue stranded people. Second, they should provide rations and tents for relief. Finally, they need to plan long-term rehabilitation to restore stability.
Bilawal stressed that farmers in Punjab remain the most vulnerable. Without urgent assistance, they cannot resume agricultural activities. Therefore, he urged the government to waive loans and extend special facilities to farmers.
Transparent Relief Distribution
Bilawal emphasized that relief distribution must remain transparent. For this reason, he urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to use the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Since BISP has reliable beneficiary data, it remains the most effective way to ensure timely support.
Housing and Rehabilitation Plans
Recalling his tenure as Foreign Minister, Bilawal mentioned that the PDM government launched a housing programme for flood victims. Consequently, he urged both federal and provincial governments to introduce similar schemes today. Housing, he added, is essential for displaced families.
Praise and Unity
Bilawal praised Punjab’s media for highlighting the plight of flood victims. Furthermore, he commended institutions engaged in relief and rescue operations. “If shortcomings appear, they must be fixed immediately. However, no major flaws have been observed so far,” he said.
He concluded that moments of calamity demand unity beyond politics. “Serving the people must always remain our top priority,” Bilawal added.
Punjab Governor Saleem Haider, MNAs Abdul Qadir Gilani, Ali Qasim Gilani, Irshad Sial, and other PPP leaders accompanied him during the visit.
