Govt committed to helping flood-hit people despite financial constraints: Gilani MULTAN,Aug 5(APP):Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that federal government would fulfil its pledge of extending financial assistance to the flood-hit communities through Watan Cards at all cost.Talking to newsmen at the local Circuit House, he said flood affected people were initially provided Rs 20,000 each to holder of the Watan Card, out of the promised amount of Rs 100,000 by the Federal and Provincial Governments.Gilani said the provinces had now expressed their inability to contribute their share for payment of remaining Rs 80,000 to the flood-hit people. However, he said, “the Federal Government is committed to extending the much wanted support to the affected communities and remaining Rs 80000 amount will be provided to each Watan Card recipient.”
He said that infrastructure in flood ravaged areas had been rebuilt, reconstruction of damaged schools and hospitals was in progress, work for strengthening of breached embankments was underway and funds had already been allocated for the purpose.
The PM said that government was making all-out efforts to rebuild lives of the flood-hit communities and the remaining work would be completed in due course of time.
 To a question about suggestions  regarding deployment of Army or convening a round-table conference to restore peace in Karachi, the Prime Minister said that Federal Government respected the mandate of the provincial government and would support if they took any decision to achieve the objective.
 He said, “Karachi is our own city and the PPP is in contact with all the parties including the MQM and we all are making joint efforts to restore peace in biggest city of the country.”
 To another question about situation in Balochistan and Karachi, the PM said that it was linked to on-going fight against militancy and the situation in the neighbouring country Afghanistan.
 He said situation aross the western border had worsened the law and order in the country and all the law enforcement agencies had been instructed to exchange information with one another and convey to the provincial governments concerned so that they could take pre-emptive steps.
 About local bodies elections, PM Gilani said that holding these elections was the responsibility of provincial governments and Federal Government could not dictate them in this regared.
 He, however, added, he believed that local bodies could better serve people at grassroots level and future leadership emerge from this system.Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan would never compromise on its strategic national interests.
On a question about nuclear assets, he said, “we have our own national interests and Pakistan will continue to work to protect them”.
He assured poople that no step would be taken against the national interests.
 To a question about the Saraiki province, the PM recalled that he had announced it making a part of the PPP manifesto for the next general elections at a public meeting in Jalalpur Pirwala.
The PM said that a manifesto committee had already been formed besides preparing a roadmap.
 To a question about legislation in this connection, he said it was mere speculation, however, he added that the process of consultation with all stakeholders was in progress and a decision would be taken after completion of the process.
 On a question about the Kalabagh Dam, he said that he had been listening about it since his childhood and added that even dictators who did not need public support, were unable to build it. Mega-projects needed consensus among all stakeholders , he added.
 He said the PPP-led government, after evolving consensus on the Diamer Bhasha Dam at the forum of Council of Common Interests (CCI) in accordance with the 18th Constitutional Amendment, decided to lay the foundation stone of the Bhasha Dam.
 To another question, he said that former President Pervez Musharraf had laid the foundation of the project even before start of the land acquisition process.
The PPP-led government took the decision after completion of the land acquisition process worth billions of rupees besides concluding talks with the World Bank and other institutions and building national consensus.
About the worsening situation of Railways, he said that it did not happen overnight and added that the federal government had decided to restructure eight organizations which were eating up resources.
 He said boards of governor had been formed to recommend how to move ahead with restructuring of Railways.
 PM Gilani said that despite opposition’s propaganda, people generously donated to the PM’s relief fund and Rs 7.5 billion were raised.
He thanked the people and countries which extended support including China, USA, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, besides the Friends of Democratic Pakistan for extending support to the government to provide relief to flood-hit people and rebuild infrastructure.
 He said that according to the need assessment survey, conducted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, last year’s floods caused damage worth US$ 10 billion to agriculture, infrastructure, schools, hospitals, electricity network, roads and bridges in the country.
 On a question, he said that country’s economic indicators were at an all-time high level and added that according to the SBP, record foreign exchange reserves were of over US$ 18 billion, exports were recorded at US$26 billion, remittances US$12 billion while the stock market surged to 12500 points.
 He said the Benazir Income Support Programme was a revolutionary step to provide assistance to poor segments of society and added that it would continue to benefit the poor.