PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Monday it appeared that when it came to the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people of Balochistan, the attitude of the federal government was that of a stepmother, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a function held in Quetta to distribute cheques among the flood-affected people, Bilawal reminded the PML-N leadership that an understanding had been reached between their party and the PPP on rehabilitating those displaced by floods. “I know fully well that it is difficult to make the Center give Sindh its share in the funds allocated for the flood-hit people,” he said, and added, “The prime minister had even promised to spend $400 million received in funds from the World Bank (WB) on those affected by the natural disaster. But the government has not spent the amount as yet.”
Presently, he went on to say, the Center was giving grants to Balochistan in Pak Rupees. “But that too, it wants to spend under its watch.”
He offered the Balochistan government support from the Sindh government in this regard.
He, on the occasion, directed the Balochistan chief minister to talk to the federal government on the subject.
PPP chairman said he planned to build homes for the flood-hit people. “But it is a fact that not a single home has been built by the federal government for these people since 2022.”
Bilawal said that Pakistan could receive more funds from other countries provided it had spent the funds already received on those on whom they were supposed to be spent.
Reporter Essa Tareen