LAHORE: The Punjab government seems to be upset at Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan`s letter to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, asking her to declare emergency in the flood-hit districts of Chakwal and Jhelum.

In a letter to the CM, the governor talked about recent heavy rains in Punjab and the damage caused by floods in Jehlum and Chakwal districts.

After his visit to the floodaffected areas of these districts, the governor wrote a letter to the CM, saying monsoon rains and floods had severely damaged the infrastructure and livelihood in the both districts.

`Roads, bridges, communication and transportation system, personal properties and agriculture crops of local residents have been damaged,` he said and demanded the Punjab government take immediate measures and declare emergency in these two districts for rescue and relief efforts.

The governor also emphasized that steps should be taken by theMaryam administration to repair the damage caused by the flood as soon as possible.

`The life in the affected cities has been severely affected. The bridges connecting the cities have been broken; the roads have been washed away, causing difficulties for the people. The houses, livestock and valuables of the poor have been washed away in the flood waves,` he said and demanded that the funds for the projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) related to these districts should be released immediately for reconstruction oftheinfrastructure.

`Illegal fish farms and small dams should be eliminated to avoid any major incident in the future due to overflow,` Governor Khan said.

The Maryam administration took a strong exception to the governor`s letter, saying Mr Khan`s action was `politically motivated`.

`There is no need to write such letters. The Punjab government isoperating fully within its constitutional framework, and all administrative matters remain under our effective control,` Punjab Information Secretary Azma Bokhari said. `Regretfully, we are compelled to remind the Punjab governor of his constitutional role time and again, but he continues to exceed his limits,` she said and added that the provincial government had initiated relief efforts from day the flood hit the affected areas.

`Under the direct guidance of CM Maryam, all departments concerned are actively engaged in serving the affected population.

The CM had visited Chakwal to console and assist the flood victims.

She told the governor that the Punjab government neither needed his advice nor his political commentary.

`The governor should refrain from giving political lectures or indulging in photo sessions under the guise of inspections,` the minister said. ZULQERNAIN TAH1R