Govt to announce earthquake relief package after consulting K-P govt: PM Nawaz

Nawaz says comprehensive relief package will be announced after consultation with K-P's chief minister

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that the government would shortly announce a relief package for earthquake victims.

“We will very soon announce a comprehensive package for K-P after consultation with the province's government and chief minister,” PM Nawaz said, while addressing quake victims in Shangla.



The premier said announcing the package after consultation with the provincial government will be beneficial for the people.

“I have received a complete briefing on the incident and I have ordered quick relief efforts for the victims,” he added.

Further, the prime minister said he was aware of the casualties in Malakand district and vowed to compensate those people whose houses have been destroyed in the earthquake.

“I will keep visiting the areas which have been affected by this earthquake,” Nawaz vowed.

The prime minister arrived in Shangla to oversee rescue efforts. Nawaz was briefed about the damage caused in the area, while he also met with earthquake victims.

Rescuers on Tuesday rushed to deliver relief aid to victims of a massive earthquake that hit northern Afghanistan and Pakistan, killing at least 275 people over a wide swath of mostly mountainous terrain. In Pakistan, 241 people were confirmed dead.



An earthquake of magnitude 7.5 had struck Pakistan and northeastern Afghanistan on Monday, the US Geological Survey said, sending tremors that were felt in India. The quake was 196 km deep and centred 82 km southeast of Feyzabad in a remote area of Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush mountain range.