PM promises rehab before harsh winter

211 survivors given compensation cheques in Timergara

TIMERGARA/KHAR:

Kicking off the compensation process a week after the October 26 earthquake, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured the affected families of timely rehabilitation before the harsh winter of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa sets in.

Pakistan’s northern parts were rattled by a 7.5 magnitude quake last Monday. At least 271 people have been confirmed dead and another 2,158 injured as reports of casualties are still coming in from remote areas.



The massive tremors also damaged around 33,445 houses, according to the figures compiled by disaster management authorities.

Addressing gatherings of earthquake-hit people in Timergara and Khar on Monday, the premier said the relief package for the quake-hit population had been worked out and funds would be dispensed among the survivors at the earliest.

In Timergara, PM Nawaz gave cheques to 211 people, marking the formal start of the compensation process on Monday, as promised by the government.



Cheques of Rs600,000 were given to the heirs of those who died in the quake, while cheques of Rs200,000 were handed out to those who lost a body part. The families whose houses were destroyed were also given cheques of Rs200,000 while the injured victims got Rs100,000 each. The cheques can be cashed from Tuesday onwards.

In his address, PM Nawaz said the government had fulfilled its promise of providing support to the earthquake-hit people in the shortest possible time. He admitted the financial package could not replace the loss of the loved ones, but its main purpose was to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people.

The cheque distribution ceremony was held at Balambat FC Cantonment in Lower Dir where K-P Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan and Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid were also present.





The premier mentioned the compensation package was formulated in consultation with the K-P chief minister and efforts were under way to complete the process as fast as possible. The government, he added, aimed to provide relief to the victims within four days but it was delayed because of lack of proper information.

He directed the authorities to ensure prompt provision of relief goods, including blankets, food and tents, as the mercury in high-altitude areas was going to drop significantly within the next few weeks. He lauded the assistance provided by armed forces in the earthquake-hit zones and also commended the provincial government and public representatives for their timely support.

Later, PM Nawaz addressed another gathering of earthquake-affected people in Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur Agency.

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He said the government wanted to ensure the early rehabilitation of the affected families and the process had already been initiated with the distribution of compensation cheques.

“I am here to redress your pains. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this difficult time,” he added.

However, the residents of Bajaur wore a disappointed look as they were expecting a special package for the agency, which has been hit hard by the earthquake.

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The quake survivors and tribal elders complained they had been waiting for several hours for the PM, who arrived there at around 3pm and left after only spending 15 minutes in the agency.

The premier was supposed to distribute cheques among the families of 23 dead and 165 injured victims.

But, after handing over the cheques to some victims himself, PM Nawaz left the venue, directing the political administration to distribute the other survivors, as the survey of the damages was yet to be completed.



Meanwhile, talking to the media at the Upper Dir Deputy Commissioner’s office, the K-P chief minister announced the compensation cheques would be issued to all earthquake survivors within the next four days.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2015.