Pak facing worst ever natural disaster: Gilani

Islamabad, Aug.25 (ANI): With one-fifth part of the country inundated and nearly 20 million people affected, Pakistan is facing its worst natural calamity, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.

During a meeting with visiting US Central Command commander General James Mattis here, Gilani said that the devastating floods have washed away standing crops and livestock worth billions of dollars, and have inflicted great damage to the country's infrastructure.

"The devastation has not been confined to one area rather the calamity hit all the four provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan as well as (Pakistan occupied) Kashmir," The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

While thanking the US for its massive support for the flood victims, Gilani warned that any delay in providing funds might help extremists to exploit the prevailing conditions to promote their terror agenda.

"The public support in war against terror is equally important and can only be kept intact if the international community helps the government in undertaking urgent measures to provide relief to the ordinary people and to undertake reconstruction projects in the flood-affected areas," Gilani said.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also assured the top US commander that Islamabad is committed to maintain "good neighbourly" relations with New Delhi, and wants a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues between both countries.

"Pakistan had all along strived for restoration of the composite dialogue with India," Gilani said. (ANI)