CHITRAL, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced that the federal government will provide Rs500 million for relief activities in flood-hit Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Talking to flood affected people in Chitral where he visited on Wednesday to review the relief operation, the prime minister said that all available resources will be utilized for relief and rehabilitation of rain and flood affected people.
The prime minister also announced that agricultural loans in Chitral have been waived off as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has declared Chitral as a calamity-hit area.
Sharif said that the provincial government will also provide Rs500 million for relief and rehabilitation work in Chitral.
Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to ensure timely supply of basic items to the affected people. He announced that more branches of utility stores will be opened in the area.
The premier also ordered damage assessment of the destroyed houses. He said that owners of completely destroyed house will be paid Rs500,000 each and amount for the partially damaged house will be determined separately.
In addition, he said that Lowari Tunnel will be completed before December next year. He said that Rs3 billion have been allocated in the current budget for this purpose while additional funds will be provided for the project if needed.
The prime minister also attended a briefing about the damages caused by the rain and floods.
Earlier, the prime minister had an aerial view of the flood affected areas. He landed at Koragh village and talked to the affected people.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan accompanied by his wife Reham Khan also visited the flood-affected areas in Chitral. The PTI leaders including Jehangir Tareen, Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Asad Qaisar, Mushtaq Ghani and Shah Farman also accompanied Imran Khan.
