PM Nawaz sets Nov 25 deadline for quake relief

Govt to spend Rs50b on construction of Chakdara-Dir-Chitral Road and Lowari Tunnel

UPPER DIR:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced development projects worth Rs50 billion for Upper Dir on Thursday while once again promising the earthquake-affected families of resettlement before winter.

He also directed the authorities to clear all relief cheques and resolve all the issues related to rehabilitation activities by November 25. “The government does not want to see its people suffer in the severe cold,” he added. “This relief cannot be an alternative of the losses but it is an attempt at the rehabilitation of the survivors.”



On his latest visit to the quake-hit areas, the premier announced the construction of Chakdara-Chitral Road via Upper Dir. He said the project would generate employment opportunities besides boosting trade and economic activities in the region. Addressing a public gathering in Panakot after distributing compensation cheques among earthquake survivors, the PM said the road would change the destiny of local people and give impetus to pace of development.

The Chakdara-Chitral Road has been a longstanding demand of the people of the Malakand division.

Declaring the government was determined to address the energy shortfall in the country, PM Nawaz also announced the installation of a 132KV grid station in Upper Dir. These projects worth Rs50 billion would bring revolutionary changes to the lives of the local people, he added.





He said the Lowari Tunnel Project in Chitral would be completed by next year. “This will usher in a new era of trade and economic prosperity in the region besides providing employment opportunities to the people.”

Directing the authorities to complete all projects without compromising on quality, he said, “We all are united on the single agenda of putting the country on the path of progress and development and serving the masses.”

PM Nawaz said he had come to Upper Dir to personally review the relief and rehabilitation activities and to share the grief with the quake survivors. He vowed the government would continue its efforts till the rehabilitation of the last affected person.

Chitral earthquake relief: Aid may be expensive but lives are priceless

This was the first visit of a Pakistani prime minister to Upper Dir since 1976 which, according to some residents, would help end the sense of deprivation among the people. The premier was accompanied by Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, K-P Governor Sardar Mehtab, Dir Upper MNA Tariqullah Khan, Shangla MNA Dr Ebad, PM’s adviser Amir Muqam, Upper Dir Nazim Fasihullah, DC Zakaullah Khattak and several other officials.

The K-P province was the worst-hit by the October 26 earthquake. Besides leaving more than 180 people dead and hundreds more injured, the 7.5 magnitude tremors had badly damaged infrastructure.

PM Nawaz promised there would be no delays in the rehabilitation of the earthquake survivors and the reconstruction of their homes would complete before the start of winter.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2015.