Perilous Times and Climate Change
Pakistan Floods inflict $50 billion in damage: PM
ISLAMABAD: The damage inflicted to the country’s economy by the floods
is estimated at $50 billion, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on
Wednesday, adding that due to the devastating floods, the country had
suffered Rs 350 to Rs 500 billion worth of damage to infrastructure,
livestock and crops.
The country’s economy grew by 4.1 percent during last year and was
expected to grow by 4.5 percent during the current fiscal year 2010-11,
he said, adding that the damage caused by the floods would bring down
the real GDP growth to 2.5 percent for 2010-11.
Chairing a federal cabinet meeting, which reviewed every aspect of the
flood situation and relief efforts, Gilani said approximately $200
million would be required for recovery/relief efforts, whereas repair
costs of key damaged infrastructure could exceed $1 billion. He said
that over 1,645 people had lost their lives while 2,479 had been
injured to date.
Gilani said this economic loss would translate into massive job losses
and incomes of thousands of families, adding that consequently it could
have serious social implications.
The PM informed the cabinet that in order to finalise a national
strategy on the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people, a meeting
of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had been convened to take
collective decisions in consultation with the provinces on ways and
means to rehabilitate the flood-affected people.
He urged the nation and the relief operation authorities to expedite
efforts to help their fellow countrymen.
Gilani said one-fifth of the country’s irrigation infrastructure,
livestock and crops had been destroyed.
The PM said the inflation target of 9.5 percent for FY 2010-11 would be
missed and it had been apprehended that it might hit the range of 15-20
percent. He said inflation would occur in daily use items such as
vegetables, spices, lentils, fruits, meat and milk products.
Budget: The budget deficit before the food crisis had been estimated to
reach 4.5 percent of the GDP, now it had been estimated to be as much
as 6-7 percent of the GDP, he added. “Performance of agriculture will
be consequently much lower this year and the year ahead. This loss will
have a snowball effect on manufacturing, services and export sectors.
Food security of the country is also under threat,” he said. app