Over Rs104 million granted in compensation for LoC victims

PM Abbasi says increasing frequency of disasters calls for higher preparedness

ISLAMABAD: National Disaster Management Commission (NDMC) Wednesday on approved over Rs104 million for the victims of unprovoked firing of Indian security forces at the Line of Control (LoC).

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the fifth meeting of NDMC at Prime Minister’s Office. Last month, following provocation by Indian forces at the LoC resulting in the loss of civilians, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government readied evacuation plans to relocate locals to safer areas.

The decision was taken amidst no let-up in LoC ceasefire violations by the Indian forces in the recent days. PM AJK Raja Farooq Haider had directed the district machinery and local authorities in the areas located along LoC to make standby arrangements for relocating thousands of people whose lives were threatened post border tensions.

During the NDMC meeting, which was also attended by Governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman, Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah, Leader of Opposition in Senate Sherry Rehman, defence minister Khurram Dastagir, foreign minister Khawaja Asif and other top government officials, ex-post facto approval was granted for compensation of Rs104.20 million to the victims of LoC firing.

According to a press release from PM Office, relief granted to the friendly countries during various disasters was also ratified during the meeting.”

Chairman NDMC Lieutenant General Omar Mahmood Hayat, presented an overview of disaster management context of the country, evolution of disaster management authority, achievements made so far and the challenges faced by the commission in responding to emergency situations and taking measures for risk reduction and effective response mechanism, read the statement.



Meanwhile, PM Abbasi said that climate change coupled with various other factors has increased the frequency of disasters and therefore calls for higher level of preparedness and institutional response to overcome the changing environmental conditions.

“Past experiences should be utilised to fine tune disaster management strategies and device an efficient and effective mechanism in line with international practices”, said the prime minister during the fifth NDMC meeting.

Moreover, the meeting approved the Pakistan School Safety Framework (PSSF), which would serve as a model for the provinces to ensure safety and disaster risk reduction.

The meeting also approved a proposal for putting in place, a cohesive disaster management legislation and institutional framework through merger, repealing or reconfiguring the existing laws and organisations related to the disaster management.

Subsequently, it was decided to create a model National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), as a pilot project at the federal capital level by utilising the resources available with other organisations associated with disaster and relief management. It was also decided to strengthen the aviation wing of Ministry of Interior for providing improved support during NDMC’s rescue efforts.