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PM visits IDP camps
[Geo News] Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday vowed to eradicate extremism and militancy from the country and said efforts continued for the safe and dignified return of displaced persons to their homes.During his visit to the Sheikh Shehzad camp and Sheikh Yasin camp sheltering some 13,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Swat and Buner here, the Prime Minister said, "Following the military operation, no miscreants will ever dare to challenge the writ of the government." Addressing a small gathering of affected people under a newly built shed, the Prime Minister reiterated the government's resolve to restore peace in the area at the earliest. He said with government's efforts, peace and prosperity would soon prevail in the NWFP and tribal areas. Gilani said he was saddened to see the plight of the affected people and said a handful of miscreants could not be allowed to hold the entire nation hostage. He said the government was cognizant of the needs of displaced persons and would take every possible step in this regard. He announced an immediate payment of Rs 25,000 for each affected family. Paying tributes to the displaced persons, Gilani said they had sacrificed their today for a better tomorrow of Pakistan. "The entire nation owes them and is duty bound to help and assist them in their hour of need," he said. Gilani said the people of Pakistan stood by their brethren and ensure their safety, security and welfare. He recalled that earlier the government despite national and international criticism, agreed to the Nizam-e-Adl regulation. "But the deal was not honored by the other party and they reneged on their part of laying down the arms and bringing peace." Gilani said, "We cannot allow the writ of the government to be challenged and to have a state within state," adding it was bringing a bad name to both Islam and Pakistan. The Prime Minister later visited the camps and interacted with the displaced women and children. He directed to immediately shift a child Zahir Khan, 15, with severe burns to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for proper treatment. He said Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM) would take care of the homeless women and children. He directed Chairman PBM Zamurrad Khan to look after the orphan children of displaced persons under its already ongoing 'Sweet Pakistan Home' project. The Prime Minister asked State Minister for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar to discuss with international donors to increase the distribution points of food, medicine and goods to the IDPs. He suggested shifting the camps to cooler areas to lessen the sufferings of persons who were not used to of living in high temperature zones. Those who accompanied Prime Minister Gilani included Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Defence Minister Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, State Minister for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Chairman Pakistan Baitul Maal, NWFP Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Provincial ministers for local govt Bashir Bilour, for finance Eng. Muhammad Humayun Khan, for Information Mian Iftikhar and Minister for Health Zahir Ali Shah and Chairman Special Support Group Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad Khan. Posted by: Fred 2009-05-23 |
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