Says Met has predicted medium floods in KP rivers year

PESHAWAR (INP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian iftikhar Hussain has said that army deployment in Karachi has become indispensable.
Speaking to media here on Monday, the minister said that army should be called in to bring peace in the city. Besides, the Awami National Party assured its cooperation in de-weaponizing the city.
He said the ANP had not objected over raid on its headquarters Mardan House. He condemned the killing of party worker Liaquat Bangash and said he was poisoned to death.
He said Bangash was injected with poison in Gulistan-e-Johar on Sunday.
The current situation in Karachi is out of police control, he said and added that military operation was inevitable.
He said that operation should be started from ANP.
However, police said Bangash was wanted in several cases of murder and died while fleeing to avoid arrest during a raid in Gulistan-e-Jauher.
APP adds:  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government Monday approved `Monsoon Plan 2012' to make arrangements in advance to cope with expected floods in the province in upcoming rainy season.
The plan, presented by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), was approved in a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister, Amir Haider Hoti.
Briefing newsmen about decisions taken in the meeting, Provincial Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the participants of the meeting discussed in detail about measures to be adopted for safety and relief of flood affected people.
However, he continued, according to Met office forecast this year floods in monsoon season are expected to be in medium range and not severe.
He said flood in rivers are expected to be of medium level.  In few nullahs, the water flow may become dangerous, he added.
Mian Iftikhar said the meeting approved a plan to provide food to 192000 people in case of flood at a cost of Rs. 1.26 billion.
Under the Monsoon Plan, Rs. 120 million have to be distributed among districts to cope with emergency at their respective levels.
All the concerned departments, including Irrigation, Local Government, Health, Food , Home and others have been directed to be vigil and attentive during monsoon season.
The Information Department has been directed to chalk out mechanism for dissemination of news on radio, TV and newspapers regarding flood and preventive measures.
In the meeting, the participants were informed that provincial government is also in contact with international organizations dealing with relief in case of flood and working plan has been devised for extending help to the people.
Mian Iftikhar said the meeting was informed that a stock of 11745 tents is available with PDMA. However, he continued, it was decided that 10,000 more tents would be purchased while UNHCR will also make arrangements for 10,000 tents. He said in case need arise, the government has reserved amount for purchase of additional 30,000 tents.
Information Minister said government has also decided to take measures through DCO for removal of encroachment along with river banks. In this regard, he continued, a number of measures have already taken , but more steps are required to be taken.
He asked the people to not become panic over flood reports as government is fully prepared and vigil to meet any eventuality.