LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has urged PTI chief Imran Khan to postpone dance and music programmes in sit-ins in Islamabad in view of loss of human lives and devastations caused by floods in Punjab.

The chief minister said it was his desire to ask Imran Khan to postpone the sit-in and accompany him for helping the people of Punjab in distress but he thought that his appeal would be of no use.

The chief minister visited flood-hit areas in Chiniot, Sargodha, Qadirabad, Basti Makhdoom of Phalia tehsil (Mandi Bahauddin) and reviewed rescue and relief activities there.

Addressing flood victims, Mr Shahbaz said he would not rest content till the rehabilitation of the last affectee.

He directed the administration to provide dry ration, food and drinking water to the marooned people on a priority basis.

The chief minister also announced sending around 3,000 more tents to the affected areas.

He reviewed the facilities being provided at the relief center in Midh Ranjha, Sargodha, and issued necessary instructions on the spot.

He met flood victims and assured them that their losses would be compensated.

Mr Shahbaz ordered to provide 14 more fiber boats to the district administration of Chiniot.

He directed the district administration to set up a tent village at protective dyke for flood victims and make arrangements for setting up a medical camp, a veterinary dispensary, fodder for animals, eatable items other facilities.

The chief minister was briefed that more than 5,000 people had been shifted to safer places and over 9,000 cattle vaccinated.

He was informed that proper arrangements of fodder for the livestock and food for flood-hit people were made in affected areas.

Meanwhile, the chief minister met with Governor Chaudhry Sarwar in Lahore on Monday and discussed matters regarding the flood situation and relief activities.

The chief minister said he was personally monitoring relief activities for the calamity-stricken people.

Published in Dawn, September 9th , 2014