The 5th quarterly meeting of Federal Flood Commission (FFC) was held today in Islamabad to review the progress on directions of Honourable Supreme Court in respect of Constitution Petition No. 62 of 2010, filed by Ms Marvi Memon versus Federation of Pakistan under the Chairpersonship of Minister of State/Chairperson BISP and Supreme Court Representative on flood monitoring MNA Marvi Memon, wherein the status of action taken on the decisions of previous quarterly review meeting were discussed. Ms Memon showed serious concerns over the absence of representatives of some of the organizations and low level representation from most of the organizations. She directed the forum to ensure proper level representation in future meetings.
Supreme Court Representative on flood monitoring Ms Memon showed concerns over the lack of coordination among concerned organizations and slow progress on major agenda items. She directed to take up the matter seriously and expedite action on all pending issues so that compliance report is submitted to Honourable Supreme Court at the earliest.
Chief Engineer (Floods), FFC made detailed presentations on agenda items. He explained that out of 61 points raised by Ms Marvi Memon, 34 were addressed by the concerned organizations; hence, the same were dropped from agenda. Ms Memon directed the representative of FFC to write letters to concerned departments to expedite action on pending issues and ensure proper level participation in FFC’s future meetings.
While showing displeasure over the absence of Secretary Irrigation AJK, Secretary Works Gilgit Baltistan, Chairman NHA, DGs PDMA Sindh, GBDMA & SDMA AJK, Metropolitan Commissioner KMC, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi and MD SIDA, Ms Memon said that Head of Departments need to take interest and show up in the FFC’s future meeting as it is matter of priority and national interest.
The Commission was informed that the updated list of encroachments in flood plains, waterways and settled over irrigation, drainage & flood protection infrastructures along with requisite information had not been submitted by the Provincial Irrigation Departments and federal line agencies(FLAs) to SUPARCO for verification purpose. Ms Marvi took serious notice of non serious approach and directed the concerned departments to provide requisite information at the earliest.
The meeting was informed that cells have been made as per NDMA advice at district levels to handle crisis situation and apprised of progress on repair of damaged flood telemetry stations of WAPDA.The commission recommended that Provincial Irrigation Departments & FLAs to pursue their case with concerned quarters for early approval and enforcement of draft River act before start of next monsoon season.
Supreme Court Representative on flood monitoring Marvi Memon directed the representative of FFC to pursue the case with provinces and federal line agencies (FLAs) on top priority basis and share the progress on pending issues with concerned organizations. She further advised to convene next meeting of FFC early. She stated that monsoon season is approaching fast; hence, expedite action on pending issues and make all necessary arrangements well in time for smooth and safe passage of flood flows during forthcoming monsoon season.
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