Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday announced Rs three billion for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood-affected areas of Gilgit Baltistan.
He was on a visit to the flood-affected areas of Gilgit Baltistan. Advisor for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira and Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Public Policy and Strategic Communication Fahd Hussain accompanied the prime minister. The government of Gilgit Baltistan and the district administration of Ghizar briefed the prime minister that 1000 kanals of agricultural land was affected in the area and more than 1000 houses were completely or partially destroyed in the floods. Dozens of bridges, hundreds of water pipelines and water channels were damaged besides damage to the basic infrastructure of hundreds of kilometers of roads. After the briefing and review of the situation, the PM announced that every affected family in the ten union councils would be given Rs 25000 each.
He also announced Rs one million each for a family whose loved ones lost lives in the floods. Shehbaz Sharif met the flood affectees in the village Bobar where 17 people lost their lives in floods. Among the affectees a differently abled girl was also present. Most of her family in the village died in the floods. The PM expressed condolence with the girl and instructed that all efforts should be made for her medical treatment and announced aid of Rs five million for her and the establishment of an endowment fund in her name.
He also announced Rs 100 million fund for the village of Bobar which was the most affected in the floods in the Ghizar district. A five-kilometer metaled road for the village would also be constructed. He directed National Highway Authority to build the six bridges destroyed in the natural disaster in the Ghizar district. He asked the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority and Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan to immediately assess the losses caused by the floods.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced Rs 100 million for the rehabilitation of Bobar village in Gilgit’s Ghizar district badly affected by the flash floods. The prime minister, during his visit to the village, was told in a briefing that the floods had killed 17 people and damaged 249 houses in the village. Moreover, 794 animals and several orchards were also washed away during the calamity.
The prime minister ordered the authorities concerned to pay compensation of Rs 1 million each for the families who had lost their dear ones in the catastrophe. Moreover, he also ordered the construction of a five-kilometer metal road to facilitate the villagers. Shehbaz Sharif said he had instructed that within 24 hours the compensation announced by him should be given to the 17 families whose loved ones departed. Talking to the flood affectees, the PM said the torrential rains and flash floods in the country during this monsoon were unprecedented.
He said the floods ravaged vast areas in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, South Punjab, and Gilgit Baltistan. More than 1000 people lost their lives, thousands were injured, standing crops on tens of thousands of acres were destroyed, millions of livestock and houses were damaged, he said adding Pakistan was already facing a severe economic crisis.
He expressed anguish over the plight of the girl whose eight members of the family including her mother, grandmother, and six brothers and sisters lost their lives in the floods. He said after a survey, the government would compensate those whose houses were destroyed. “I assure you that the assistance will be delivered transparently and without considering politics.” He thanked the friendly countries including China, the United States, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates for their assistance.
“Today I met a high level delegation of the Turkey and the Turkish President pledged to give all kind of assistance.” In an interaction with the affected villagers, the prime minister assured the flood-stricken people that the government would not leave them alone until all of the families were rehabilitated.
The prime minister expressed condolence over the loss of lives and properties and assured the victims of the government’s all-out support for their relief and rehabilitation. He said the government was making all-out efforts to ease the difficulties being faced by the people in flood-ravaged areas. During the visit, the prime minister also distributed cheques among the flood-affected people of Shisper Glacier of Hunza at a ceremony held at Gilgit airport.
