More than 40 billion Pakistani rupees ($170 million) are required to rebuild and restructure backward districts hit by recent floods, Pakistani Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said.

Addressing a meeting on flood response, Mr Iqbal said the expenditure to be incurred would exceed the estimated $170 million for most backward 20 districts.

“Government is committed with full resolve to rebuild these areas in order to address the sense of alienation among the people in these regions,” said the minister.

The scale of destruction caused by floods has been unprecedented, he said, adding that it was a result of climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions by the developed world.

The minister said Pakistan is suffering something which it did not cause.

“The most backward regions in the country are worst hit by the recent floods that left a big challenge for us,” he said, adding that every citizen has to partake in his role in this national cause. 

(Xinhua/NAN)