MARDAN, Oct 23: Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said that Rs128 million will be distributed among the flood-hit families of the district through 6,400 Watan Cards.

He was addressing a ceremony here on Saturday after inaugurating distribution of Watan Cards at Government Postgraduate College Mardan. Senior Minister Rahimdad Khan, Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain and other leaders also attended the ceremony.

The chief minister said that initially each flood-affected family would get Rs20,000 through Watan Cards while latter Rs100,000 would be also given away to each family.

He said that government would not leave them alone. After carrying out relief activities, the government would take steps to rehabilitate flood victims in their respective districts, he said.

“We have taken the issue of flood-hit people as a challenge and Inshallah we will succeed in the test,” he added.

Mr Hoti directed the district administration to point out flood-affected families, which could not get relief aid so far or their names had not been registered by the authorities concerned so that they could be provided with assistance.

He said that operation was underway against militants in Katlang and its suburban areas with the support of locals. “That's why security forces are not facing tough resistance,” he said.

The chief minister said that the suicide bombers, who were targeting mosques and innocent people, could not be termed Muslims.

He said that no one would be allowed to destroy the peaceful atmosphere of Mardan and other districts of the province.

Mr Hoti also hinted at extending Katlang operation to the hideouts of kidnappers believed to be located in Malakand protected areas. He expressed satisfaction over the federal government's efforts to defuse and resolve the issue of target killings in Karachi.