In hindsight: Gilgit-Baltistan to bar construction in disaster-prone areas

CM says new funds will ensure effective response to natural calamities

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeezur Rahman has said a law would be introduced to take action against people who have illegally constructed houses in disaster-prone areas.

He was speaking to journalists at the CM’s Secretariat on Friday a day after his visit to Astore and Baltistan.



“The construction of illegal houses in disaster-prone areas is the main reason why people suffer every year due to natural disasters,” he said. “We will introduce a law in the assembly to control this trend and minimise losses in future.”

Long-term collection

Rahman said a fund would be set in place to enable the regional government to effectively respond when natural disasters hit.

“The federal government will provide Rs0.15 billion,” he said. “Meanwhile, G-B will contribute Rs0.05 billion.” According to the chief minister, the money would be non-lapsable and collected even if there are no disasters in the coming years,” he said. “The prime minister has also approved this idea.”

Rahman said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced Rs0.5billion for infrastructure on the basis of initial assessment of damages incurred by current flooding.

“The previous G-B government didn’t allocate any funds for the disaster management department,” he said. “However, the new government allocated funds for the department immediately after assuming office. That’s why every district administration has money to pay for the affected population.”

Trail of destruction

G-B Disaster Management Authority Director General Asim Raza said the floods destroyed 321 houses and damaged 300 other houses across the region.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, he said 14,093 kanals of land was damaged by floods while nearly 18,000 fruit trees on the land were swept away.

According to Raza, 38 powerhouses were damaged, causing prolonged power outages across G-B.  “However, this information is based on initial reports we have received.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2015.