PM announces relief package for K-P earthquake victims

Says federal government will contribute 50% funds for relief package

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak receives Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif upon his arrival in Peshawar on October 28, 2015. PHOTO: NNI

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in consultation with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government announced on Wednesday a relief package for earthquake victims.

“Rs0.6 million will be given to the family of each deceased, Rs0.1 million for each injured, Rs0.2 million for those physically disabled, Rs0.2 million for reconstruction of every house and Rs0.1 million for partial reconstruction of every house,” PM Nawaz said while addressing  the media at Governor House in Peshawar.

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

“With the consultation of the provincial government, the federal government has decided to initiate the cheque-distributing process by Monday and it will finish by Thursday,” the premier claimed.

Nawaz, however, clarified that 50 per cent funds for the relief package will be given by K-P government while the same amount will be contributed by the federal government.

The prime minister lauded the efforts of the provincial government, expressing his gratitude to K-P Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for personally taking part in rescue and relief activities being carried out across the province.

Further, PM Nawaz also thanked Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Hidayatur Rehman and chairmen NDMA and PDMA for their efforts in the relief activities.

“Before announcing the relief package I and the K-P chief minister early morning deliberated at length on the package,” he said and added: “I have told the chief minister that the federal government will support the provincial government in any way possible in carrying out relief efforts.”

Earlier today, the prime minister arrived in Peshawar to oversee rescue and relief activities in K-P, the worst hit province so far in the recent 7.5-magnitude earthquake which jolted Pakistan and north-eastern Afghanistan on Monday.

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The premier stayed in the Governor’s House, where he was given a detailed briefing by the K-P PDMA on the damages and destruction caused and the ongoing relief activities.

PM Nawaz was informed that 222 people were killed, 1,688 injured and 8,453 houses were damaged by the quake in the province.

Later, during his visit to the quake-hit areas of Chitral, the prime minister said new roads will be constructed from Chitral to Garam Chashma, Shandur and Bambrait areas.

“I have instructed chairman National Highway Authority to complete construction of Lowari Top Tunnel project by next year,” the premier said while addressing earthquake victims in the district.

“Although the loss is less in comparison with the 2005 earthquake but it is still our duty to look after the earthquake victims” he said. “We have not come here to play with the emotions of the people.”

PM Nawaz went on to say that a compensation package has already been announced and the distribution of funds will start in a couple of days. “I will personally oversee the check-distributing ceremony in Chitral.”

Over 200 killed in Pakistan as 7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes

The prime minister further claimed that 30MW electricity will soon be made available to the people of Chitral from the Golen Gol Hydropower Plant.



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