Punjab Assembly Debates Aid Distribution for Flood-Affected Families
In a packed session of the Punjab Assembly, tensions ran high as both treasury and opposition members criticized alleged irregularities in the distribution of government aid for flood-affected families. Lawmaker Khalid Mahmood from the PML-N raised serious concerns about the treatment of impoverished families, especially those without land ownership documents. “In my constituency, individuals who are struggling without land are being left out of the aid program,” he lamented. His call for fairness underscored a larger issue impacting many vulnerable residents in affected areas.
Mahmood described the local administration’s policy of restricting aid solely to registered landowners as "deeply unfair" and contrary to public welfare principles. He appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to step in and ensure that landless citizens also receive compensation. In response, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman clarified that the chief minister had taken action to compensate all residents in flood-affected regions, asserting that aid would be provided not just to landowners but to everyone who suffered losses.
“Those who lost their homes will be eligible for compensation ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs1 million,” Rehman noted, emphasizing the government’s commitment to support all affected individuals. He promised that he would liaise with relevant departments to expedite the process.
However, the opposition was not satisfied. MPA Rana Shahbaz alleged that the survey process to identify affected families was being manipulated, claiming favoritism towards certain landlords. He insisted that members affiliated with other political parties were being systematically excluded from the aid lists. Rehman acknowledged the survey’s incompleteness but assured the assembly that compensation cheques would be distributed as soon as the process was finalized.
On a broader note, PML-N legislator Ahmed Iqbal raised concerns about the recurring crises that Punjab faces, such as heatwaves, floods, and even smog, emphasizing that these issues require rational, long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. He also criticized the School Education Department’s recent decision to adjust school start times to 8:45 am, arguing that it interferes with families’ daily schedules and exacerbates traffic problems.
As the assembly session concluded, the opposition pointed out a lack of quorum, leading to the session’s adjournment until October 28 at 2 pm. With so many pressing issues at hand, it’s clear that the Punjab Assembly has its work cut out.
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