Chairman PPP reaffirms commitment to welfare & development of people of Balochistan

Independent Report

QUETTA: The Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emphasized that the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims remain one of his top priorities. He urged the federal and provincial governments to take immediate and concrete steps to address the issues faced by these citizens, who are severely affected by climate change.
The Chairman PPP was addressing the inauguration of the process of distribution of relief cheques to flood victims at the Chief Minister’s House in Quetta on Monday.
During his address, he reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare and development of the people of Balochistan.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted his efforts in 2022 as Foreign Minister to secure international funding for the rehabilitation of flood victims. He stated, “Standing with the Prime Minister, I signed agreements as Foreign Minister before the world. We secured funding for a housing project, which was my initiative that we presented to the World Bank. The aim of this project is to rebuild homes for flood victims in a way that they can withstand the challenges of climate change.”
Chairman PPP called on both federal and provincial governments to take the issue of climate change and rehabilitation of flood victims seriously. He urged the Chief Minister of Balochistan and his cabinet to monitor the relief and rehabilitation efforts and discuss the matter with the federal government. He further stated that the slow pace of funding for the rehabilitation project is an injustice not only to the flood victims but also to the province.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed that before seeking help from the World Bank, the federal and provincial governments should step in to assist the flood victims. “If both governments contribute, we can help more people,” he said. He also warned that the federal government’s approach to flood funds could have negative consequences in the future, cautioning, “If the next Prime Minister or Foreign Minister asks for funds from international organizations during a natural disaster, they will look at our past record, which is not favorable.”
Chairman emphasized that homes for flood victims must be built strong enough to withstand future floods. “When the next flood hits, these victims should not be in the same vulnerable situation they are in now,” he said. He added, “If I ask the world for help again, the first question will be, ‘What happened to the funds given earlier?'”
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reiterated the need to build new homes for flood victims, noting that the construction of homes for victims is already underway in Sindh. He urged by stating, “Our country has limited resources, and we must use them wisely.”