GUJRAT: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has blamed PTI and PAT sit-ins in Islamabad for `cancellation` of Chinese president`s visit to Pakistan, saying it was unfortunate for the masses of the country.

He was speaking to flood-effected people at Qasimababd village on the banks of River Chenab on Sunday.

The villages on Gujrat side of Khanki Head Works have been badly hit by the flood.

The CM was flanked by irrigation minister Yawar Zaman, excise secretary Khalid Masood, DCO Liaqat Ali Chatha, DPO Rai Ijaz Ahmed and some local PML-N legislators.

Mr Sharif denied the PTI leadership`s statements terming the expected Chinese investment as a `loan` for Pakistan and clarified that actually the companies that had planned to invest in the energy production and other development projects in Pakistan were being provided loans by Chinese banks.

He said the Chinese president was to sign agreements resulting in production of at least 10,400 megawatts through coal, solar and wind power projects, besides laying foundation stones of some other mega development schemes during his visit to Pakistan.

He said the nation would not for-give `Dharna parties` which he held responsible for `cancellation` of the Chinese president`s visit. This, he said, could delay at least 32 billion dollars foreign investment in Pakistan.

He expressed the hope that the Chinese president would soon plan a visit to Pakistan.

Shahbaz Sharif said the flood inRiver Chenab could have caused massive devastation but timely breaches at two different points saved the urban population. He commended army troops and the district administration officials for their timely decision to create the breaches.

Meanwhile, the DCO and irrigation chief engineer told the chiefminister that the floodwater destroyed standing crops on at least 7,500 acres in and along the river bed in the district.

They said a record 947,000 cusecs of water crossed Khanki Head Works on Saturday night.

The CM directed the DCO to immediately prepare a report on losses suffered by farmers, land owners and loss of livestock in the flood-hit areas. He assured the affected people of prompt compensation by the government for the losses.

He also pledged early restoration of the roads and other infrastructure damaged by the flood.

Mr Sharif handed over Rs1.6 million cheque to the family of a youth, Tayab of Qasimabad village, who got drowned a couple of days ago. The nine people injured in the calamity were also given Rs100,000 cheques each by the chief minister.

Earlier, he visited Khanki Head Works. He also directed the concerned officials to prepare a plan for further strengthening of the dykes of the head works.

The chief minister also visited Zafarwal, Dehaat Terah, Baddu Malhi, Bhangalah Maalian, Qadirabad and Jalalpur Bhattian and personally reviewed the whole situation, says a handout.

He appreciated performance of administration and public representatives of the PML-N.