Peshawar: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif arrived in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to assess the damage caused by the torrential rains and snowfall, where he directed to give Rs. 20 lakh to the heirs of the deceased and Rs. 5 lakh to the injured.
According to the official media, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reached the Governor House in Peshawar, where Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haji Ghulam Ali welcomed him. The meeting was attended by Senator Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Attaullah Tarar, Amir Muqam, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, and Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Anam Haider Malik.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the damages and ongoing rescue and relief operations due to the recent torrential rains and snowfall. Subsequently, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting regarding the damages and ongoing rescue and relief measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting was attended by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haji Ghulam Ali, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Attaullah Tarar, Amir Muqam, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Anam Haider Malik, and relevant provincial authorities.
The meeting informed that 40 people lost their lives, while 62 were injured in the recent torrential rains and snowfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including 27 children. In addition, 635 houses were either completely or partially destroyed.
It was also noted in the meeting that the Prime Minister had directed to provide Rs. 20 lakh to the heirs of the deceased, Rs. 5 lakh per injured, Rs. 7 lakh to the residents of completely destroyed houses, and Rs. 3.5 lakh to the residents of partially affected houses. The Prime Minister was informed that all major roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been partially restored, while work is ongoing on roads affected by snowfall and landslides.
Furthermore, the meeting informed that the district and provincial authorities, along with NDMA, are fully prepared to deal with any emergency situation arising from expected snowfall in the next two days. The Prime Minister instructed all departments to actively participate in the rescue and relief operations for the affected people, ensuring no shortcomings in assistance and relief efforts. NDMA was directed to collaborate with the provincial government in taking every possible step for the rescue and relief of the affected people.
Shahbaz Sharif stated that relief funds would be provided to the residents of affected houses in the next five days, and the federal government would cooperate with the affected people in this time of crisis. He directed to provide Rs. 20 lakh to the heirs of the deceased and Rs. 5 lakh to the injured. Later, he met with the affected people of the rains and snowfall and distributed relief checks among them.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur remained absent from the public sight during Shahbaz Sharif’s visit to Peshawar. The Chief Minister neither welcomed the Prime Minister nor attended the meeting in his presence.
The absence of the Chief Minister from the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister resulted in the provincial government not being represented. This led to a widening gap between the center and the province.
On the other hand, information suggests that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur is busy making arrangements for the oath-taking of provincial ministers. The nominated provincial ministers will take the oath along with the Chief Minister at the Governor House today.