PM orders uninterrupted power supply to flood-hit areas

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed uninterrupted electricity supply to flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the next week. He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad today to review ongoing rescue and relief activities by federal government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir.

Shehbaz Sharif ordered immediate completion of procedures for distributing financial assistance to the flood-affected people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He instructed to immediately double the number of trucks carrying relief goods. 

He advised the Minister for Water Resources Mian Mueen Watto to immediately reach Azad Kashmir and Minister for Public Affairs to Swabi and personally oversee the relief activities. He commended Federal Ministers Engineer Amir Muqam, Abdul Aleem Khan, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Sardar Yousaf, and Special Assistant Mubarak Zeb for visiting affected areas and supervising infrastructure restoration to help the affectees. 

Shehbaz Sharif also expressed gratitude to provincial chief ministers, chief secretaries, federal secretaries, Pakistan Army, National Highway Authority, Frontier Works Organization, and rescue and relief agencies for their swift response following his directives. 

Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari says electricity supply has been restored at 45 feeders in Swat, Buner and Shangla while work is underway on four others affected by rains and floods in these areas. Speaking during his visit to Swat, he said a total of 49 feeders were affected by heavy rains and floods including nine in Buner, five in Shangla and 35 in Swat. 

The Minister said additional staff from Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu and Mardan were deployed in Swat and Buner to speed up the restoration work. He said electricity poles and transformers were delivered to the affected areas on an emergency basis.