Messages of grief, sympathies pour in for earthquake affectees

At least eight dead and over 100 injured after 5.2 magnitude quake hit AJK, Punjab and parts of K-P

Messages full of deep grief and sympathies poured in soon after an earthquake of 5.2 magnitude hit Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Punjab and parts of Khyber-Pakhtnukhwa on Tuesday.

At least eight people were killed and over 100 others wounded in the calamity. Media photos and video showed collapsed buildings and cracks in roads large enough to swallow cars in Mirpur.

Strong earthquake jolts AJK, Punjab, parts of K-P

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed deep concern over loss of human lives and havoc it caused. He directed all concerned departments to extend full assistance in relief operation being carried out in the affected areas.

وزیراعظم عمران خان کا زلزلے کے نتیجے میں ہونے والے نقصانات پر گہری تشویش کا اظہار.
متاثرہ علاقے میں ریلیف کے سلسلے میں متعلقہ محکموں کو ہر قسم کی معاونت کی فوری فراہمی کی ہدایت.#Earthquake pic.twitter.com/Gm2vBhzyPH

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 24, 2019

President Dr Arif Alvi also expressed deep grief over casualties that took place due to the earthquake. He prayed for departed souls and early recovery of the injured.

صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا آزاد کشمیر، اسلام آباد اور مختلف شہروں میں شدید زلزے کی وجہ سے ہونے والے جانی اور مالی نقصان پر گہرے دکھ اور غم کا اظہار.
صدرمملکت کی جاں بحق ہونے والوں کی بلندی درجات اور زخمیوں کی جلد صحت یابی کے لیے دعا. pic.twitter.com/9qtPJn2cRB

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 24, 2019

AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider said he himself will monitor relief and rescue operations in Mirpur and other quake-hit areas. He also directed all concerned departments to accelerate their relief and rescue efforts in the affected areas.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said the deputy commissioner of Jehlum has been directed to dispatch ambulances and medical staff to AJK. He said an emergency has been declared in Jehlum district, adding the Punjab Disaster Management Authority is gathering information from across the province.

آج آنے والے زلزلے کے بعد ہم نے DC جہلم کو ایمبولینسوں اور میڈیکل عملے کے ہمراہ آزاد کشمیر روانہ کر دیا ہے اور ضلع جہلم میں ایمرجینسی بھی ڈکلئیر کر دی ہے

ڈیزاسٹر مینجمنٹ اتھارٹی پنجاب بھر سے تفصیلات اکٹھی کر رہی ہے
کسی بھی ممکنہ ایمرجنسی کے لیے تیاری کی ہدایات جاری کی ہیں

— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) September 24, 2019

Taking notice of the calamity, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed troops to immediately launch relief and rescue operation in aid of respective civil administrations in the quake-stricken areas.

“Army troops with aviation and medical support teams dispatched for operation in aid of civil administration for victims of earthquake in AJK,” said DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor in a tweet.    “Army troops with aviation and medical support teams dispatched,” he added.

COAS directs immediate rescue operation in aid of civil administration for victims of earthquake in AJK. Army troops with aviation and medical support teams dispatched.

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) September 24, 2019

United States Charge d’Affaires Paul W Jones also expressed sympathies with the quake affectees. “On behalf of the US Mission in Pakistan, I extend my sympathies to all those affected by the September 24 earthquake,” he said in a statement on social media.

On behalf of the U.S. Mission in Pakistan, I extend my sympathies to all those affected by the September 24 earthquake. #AmbJones #earthquake #Pakistan #USEmbassyISB #USPAK #USinPAK pic.twitter.com/jcB17EtSIK

— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) September 24, 2019

Loss of lives and properties also saddened Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan, who prayed for the departed and early recovery of the injured. CM Khan also extended his province’s full support to the AJK government.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and properties in today’s calamity. He also requested the governments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and K-P to launch rescue efforts at the earliest.

The PPP chairman also asked his workers and office-bearers to partake in rescue efforts.

این ڈی ایم اے سمیت تمام متعلقہ ادارے موثر امدادی کاروایوں کو یقینی بنائیں، چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری

پی پی پی عہدیداران و کارکنان زلزلہ متاثرین کی ہر ممکن امداد کریں، امدادی سرگرمیوں میں بڑھ چڑھ کر حصہ لیں، چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) September 24, 2019

Religious scholar and politician Tahirul Qadri and Fatima Bhutto also prayed for those affected by the earthquake.

Severe #earthquake shook Mirpur, Azad Kashmir and different areas of Pakistan and has caused destruction. I pray for an early recovery of the injured and pray for those who died. May Allah Almighty keep everyone safe and sound.

— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) September 24, 2019

Thinking of those affected by the earthquake, especially those in Kashmir. Hope aid will be swift and people safe

— fatima bhutto 🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@fbhutto) September 24, 2019