Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri has said that all political parties must unite and help the flood victims at this crucial stage.
The minister, who is also a member of MQM’s Coordination Committee, said this while addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday. “The leaders must avoid issuing statements that raise ethnic hatred against each other. Also, every person must come forward to help the flood victims,” he said.
Talking about the efforts undertaken by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), he said, “KPT has allocated Rs 12 million for the rehabilitation of the affectees. The staff of KPT and Port Qasim along with the CDGK is working round the clock to help the flood victims. All possible resources will be utilised to rehabilitate these flood victims.” About the measure being undertaken, he said that various camps were being established in the city. “KPT is in direct contact with the CDGK as the latter has the sole responsibility of establishing the camps. In a meeting on Thursday, CDGK will lay out the requirements and we will act accordingly,” he added. He further said, “My team will also visit various camps established in the city. Also, former DCO Karachi Javed Hanif is coordinating and helping us at these camps.”
Ghauri informed that he also met with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday and held a detailed discussion regarding the relief efforts. “The governor has assured us all out cooperation in this regard,” he said.
Lashing out at the feudal lords, he said, “They should accommodate these flood victims in their bungalows in Defence and other posh localities. I have not seen the flood affected people being accommodated at an Autaq of these feudal lords.
The feudals should donate generously at this critical moment.”
Replying to a question regarding Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s claim of being a ‘badmash’, he said, “He is either a PPP badmash or a badmash of Pakistan!”
Ghauri said that as a minister it was not a proper word to use the word publicly. “We have also received several calls from people about the use of the word badmash. Mirza has hurt the emotions of the nation and he should tender an apology for using this crude word,” he said. He further said that he was not sure as to why Mirza would use such a word publicly.
