Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali expressed his outrage over complaints by people affected by rain and flood in Umerkot that they were being fleeced by “agents” who were supposed to transfer financial aid to individuals’ accounts under Benazir Income Support Programme. CM ordered police to get these extortionists arrested and take them to task.

He heard people’s complaints while visiting different affected areas in Umerkot to assess situation and inquire from affected families about their wellbeing and issues. Some women told him that agents were transferring only Rs 22,000 into their BISP accounts instead of Rs 25,000. They said when they asked agents about deduction of Rs 3,000, they described same as “service charges”. CM Shah expressed his outrage over extortion and remarked, “This is unacceptable and uncalled for-I’ll not tolerate this act of fleecing people in distress”. 

He discussed issue with officials concerned while presiding over a meeting at Umerkot deputy commissioner’s office and asked Mirpurkhas DIG to ensure that culprits were arrested and taken to task. Meeting reviewed widespread devastation caused by heavy rains and relief measures taken by government. Ministers Sardar Shah, Nasir Shah, Taimour Talpur, Mukesh Chawla and MNAs and MPAs from area, besides Commissioner Aijaz Shah, DC Tahir Memon and DIG Zulfikar Mahar attended.

Meeting also discussed issue of restoration of natural waterways in province. CM said that a study was conducted after 2011 floods which had revealed that Rs 28 billion were required for project. “We are working (for restoration of old and natural waterways) but funds would be arranged through donor agencies,” he said. CM said that his government had ordered procurement of 350,000 tents against a requirement of one million units. “No firm is ready to take order for immediate delivery. Therefore, brother countries like China, Iran and others are being approached in this regard,” he said.

Some participants complained that flood-affected people from Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, Badin and Thar had got themselves settled on sandy dunes of Umerkot. CM told them, “They are our guests and must be treated decently and respectfully”. CM Murad told that he had informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that 308mm more rainfall than normal had been recorded.  He said that repair of damaged road networks in Karachi would cost Rs 50 billion. He assured people, particularly affected ones that they would be looked after properly.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 29 2022

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