KP cabinet approves additional Rs 2b relief package for flood affectees

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet met under Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur today. The cabinet was briefed on flood damage, relief and rehabilitation activities.

A key agenda item was the approval of relief package for victims of recent floods across the province.

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The cabinet was informed that the first phase of the rescue operation was completed, while search for missing persons was ongoing. Moreover, Rs 2 billion was released (in addition to Rs 3 billion given earlier) for the affected areas in the province, Chief Minister Gandapur told the cabinet.

He said that all flood victims will receive compensation, no one will be left deprived. He issued directives that the health centers should be activated immediately in the affected areas. “Availability of mobile hospitals should be ensured in the flood-affected areas,” Gandapur said, adding that a special campaign should be launched for complete cleanliness in the affected areas.

The provincial chief also said that drinking water and tube wells should be restored soon in the flood-affected areas, and the work of restoring all communication roads to the affected areas should be accelerated as well.

PROVINCIAL MINISTERS VISIT AFFECTED AREAS

Yesterday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur visited Swabi to inspect flood-affected areas. During his visit, he announced that Rs 2 million would be provided to assist the flood victims.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with local authorities working to restore infrastructure. Gandapur also instructed that all members of the assembly remain in their constituencies until the situation improves.

Other provincial ministers also visited affected areas, including Balakot to assess rain damage. The Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Public Health of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visited Balakot to assess the damage caused by recent rains. Provincial ministers received briefings from local officials on the extent of the destruction.

FEDERAL MINISTERS VISIT FLOOD-HIT REGIONS IN KP

Federal Minister and President of PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Engineer Amir Muqam, visited flood-affected areas in Mukhozi Tehsil, Shangla. The Minister toured Union Council Ismail Khel Koz Pao, Shati Dara, and Lande Tehsil Makhuzai, where floodwaters have caused significant loss of life and property.

Muqam expressed condolences for the loss of lives and offered prayers for the missing persons. He also directed authorities to expedite search and rescue efforts. He assured affected families that the federal government would provide full support for relief and rehabilitation.

Jamaat-e-Islami Chief (JI) Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman visited Bajaur and offered prayers for the martyrs of the lightning strike in Jabari.

Also read: KP declares eight valleys GLOF-sensitive, boosts early warning

Naeem-ur-Rehman criticized the ongoing military operations in the region and said that they exacerbate problems and widen the gap between the army and local communities. He urged the Pakistani government to initiate talks with Afghanistan to address regional tensions, and called for Afghanistan to prevent its land from being used by terrorists.

PDMA REPORTS 12 DEATHS IN ONE DAY

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has said that 12 people died in various accidents due to rain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa yesterday, while three more were injured in various accidents related to rain.

Moreover, 162 houses were destroyed and 588 were partially damaged, while 3,953 cattle were swept away in the floodwaters of Buner and Bajaur, PDMA said, adding that 15 schools collapsed due to floods in Buner and 18 more were partially damaged.

Four connection bridges in Bajaur were also swept away in the floodwaters, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PDMA said.