ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has offered to provide “any humanitarian assistance that may be needed” for the Indian state of Kerala that has been devastated by floods earlier this month.
Khan, who took oath as Pakistan’s 22nd prime minister last Saturday, tweeted Thursday evening to say, “On behalf of the people of Pakistan, we send our prayers and best wishes to those who have been devastated by the floods in Kerala, India.”
“We stand ready to provide any humanitarian assistance that may be needed,” he added.
https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1032637468531666945
Nearly 400 people have died and thousands remained stranded by the worst flooding in Kerala in a century.
More than one million people have been displaced, many of them taking shelter in thousands of relief camps across the state.
More than 8,000 cattle, calves and buffaloes, 3,297 goats and 47 dogs have died in the floods, according to the government.
The state has incurred losses estimated around INR20,000 crore. Though the Kerala government had asked for INR2,600 for immediate relief, the centre has allocated INR600 crore so far.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/peshawar-zalmi-owner-javed-afridi-donates-5000-camps-for-indias-kerala-floods-victims/
The central government of India maintains that it will not accept financial help for Kerala from other countries. “In line with existing policy, the government of India is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts,” the foreign ministry said in a statement last night.
The government’s clarification came after the United Arab Emirates offered INR700 crore for flood-ravaged Kerala, and reports said Qatar and Maldives had also offered to help.
After his election victory last month, Imran Khan had said Pakistan was ready to respond positively to any effort towards dialogue with India. “If India comes and takes one step towards us, we will take two,” said the cricket legend-turned-politician, who had targeted India throughout his campaign for last month’s election.
PM Modi had phoned him after his election victory and spoken about “peace and development” in the region.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/imran-khan-expresses-condolence-over-demise-of-ex-indian-pm-atal-bihar-vajpayee/
After former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death, the new Pakistani prime minister had also said the two countries could honour the veteran BJP leader’s legacy by establishing peace.
