Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to ensure complete arrangements for combating the possible threat of floods due to rains and snowfall. He issued the directives while chairing a meeting of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) at his office, which also approved changing the name of the Cabinet Committee on Flood to the Cabinet Committee on Disaster. Speaking on the occasion, Buzdar said there was no room for any leniency in this regard and directed to ensure effective safety arrangements in the areas adjacent to Sindh River and other riverine areas. Timely information should be provided to the local administration and provincial departments and other relief agencies should maintain close liaison while the government will provide required resources to the PDMA. The Chief Minister was briefed that the flow of water in rivers is daily monitored and early flood warning system is fully effective and the provision of timely information is being ensured through various software. Similarly, different types of media platforms, including social media, are also being used for providing updated information about the water situation in rivers. The flow of water in Sindh River is, so far, as usual. The metrological department officials informed that rain spell may start in different areas from next week. There is no sign of large scale floods; however, the option of low and medium scale flood cannot be ignored. Provincial ministers, spokesman to CM, SMU head Fazeel Asif, chief secretary, chairman P&D and others attended the meeting. Separately, Buzdar presided over a high-level meeting at his office, in which gave principle approval to increase allowances of Punjab Police. The final approval will be given by the Punjab cabinet. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that police will be extended necessary cooperation in war against terrorism and crimes and it will also be provided resources according to the modern needs. We appreciate the sacrifices and efforts made by the police against crimes and terrorism and now it will have to show improved performance. The past is over and the previous behavior is unacceptable in the new Pakistan because every citizen is worthy of respect and honour. He asked the police to treat people in a decent manner in police stations as the protection of life and property of the people is not a duty but a noble deed as well. Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat, Chief Secretary, IG Police, Finance Secretary attended the meeting. Meanwhile, Buzdar said that the population explosion would have to be controlled to protect the natural resources, as rising population had resulted in creating socioeconomic problems. In his message, the Chief Minister said that World Population Day reminds us to keep the population ratio according to the available resources as arranging additional resources for the increased population has become a problem everywhere. It is imperative to control the unbridled population explosion so that qualitative life could be ensured for every citizen. We have to arrange educational, healthcare and employment opportunities for every citizen but there is a need to deeply think about the growing population. In this regard, government is following the policy of managing the population pressure in big cities through a policy of composite development of the province, the Chief Minister concluded.