ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that the federal government stands shoulder to shoulder with the government, administration, and people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
He said this as he announced a relief package for the people affected by the recent rains and floods in AJK and Gikgit-Baltistan.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office media wing on Friday, a review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the human and financial losses caused by the recent monsoon in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Human and financial losses in Azad Kashmir
On this occasion, the Prime Minister said that in the context of the recent severe monsoon season, unfortunate incidents of human and financial losses occurred across the country, especially in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Prime Minister said that the federal government stands shoulder to shoulder with the government, administration, and people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in this hour of sorrow.
“I will soon visit Gilgit-Baltistan to express solidarity with the affected areas and people, and a relief package will be provided by the federal government for the maximum possible redressal of losses.”
He directed that all concerned federal agencies, in collaboration with the administrations of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, assess the damages incurred and that the early warning system of the Meteorological Department be made effective and active on an emergency basis to prevent losses from severe weather conditions.
The Prime Minister said that in the ongoing relief operations in the affected areas, preventing human and financial losses should be given top priority, and local and concerned federal agencies should pay special attention to the restoration and repair of communication infrastructure and roads.
Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik briefed the meeting on the losses incurred so far across the country due to the severe monsoon, the possible weather situation in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and the measures taken so far.
The Chairman stated that so far, a total of 295 deaths have occurred across the country during the current monsoon season, while more than 700 people have been injured.
More than 1600 houses have been completely destroyed, and 376 livestock have also been lost due to rains.
The briefing stated that there is severe flooding in rivers and streams during the current monsoon season.
There is a possibility of low-level floods at Tarbela, Chashma, Taunsa, Kalabagh, and medium-level floods in the Chenab River at Head Marala and Guddu.
The current monsoon season is expected to intensify by the end of August, and NDMA is making full arrangements for prevention on its own.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Chairman NDMA Inam Haider Malik, and other senior officials and government functionaries.
