PM directs to immediately provide assistance in AJK

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to immediately provide all humanitarian assistance on emergency basis to the people affected by landsliding in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In a tweet on Tuesday, the prime minister asked National Disaster Management Authority, the military and all federal ministers to take timely actions in this regard. He said the severe snowfalls and landslides in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have caused misery and deaths.

PM Imran Khan will visit the areas affected by landsliding and heavy snowfall in AJK on Wednesday. He will be accompanied by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur to personally monitor the relief work. During his visit, the prime minister will also meet with the families affected by land sliding in AJK.

The severe snowfalls and landslides in AJK have caused misery & deaths. I have asked the NDMA, the military & all our federal ministers to immediately provide all humanitarian assistance on an emergency footing to the affected people in AJK.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 14, 2020

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has also expressed grief over the loss of lives due to intense snowfall in AJK and Balochistan.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief offered condolences to the bereaved families. The COAS directed for continued assistance to the civil administration for rescue and relief operations

The military’s statement said that army helicopters are undertaking operations in snow hit areas of Sharda, Sargan, Bakwal and Taobat, adding that doctors, paramedics, tents, rations, blankets, and medicines are being sent to the affected families.

More than 70 people have been dead as severe winter has struck parts of the country. According to details, 14 people have died in Quetta while 10 others were wounded mostly when roofs collapsed amid the blizzard.

At least 51 people died after an avalanche had hit Neelum Valley in AJK. The deputy commissioner Neelum Valley had said more than 50 bodies had been retrieved so far while several others were feared missing.

He had said Pakistan Army troops had reached the area to carry out the relief and rescue efforts, while helicopters were also being used in the operation

The mercury went down below zero in most districts of Balochistan amid heavy snowfall. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department report, the minimum temperature in Quettahas dropped to minus 11° Celsius, while minus 13° recorded in Kalat and minus 10° in resort town of Ziarat.