15 February 2005	Tuesday	05 Muharram 1426

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MANSEHRA, Feb 14: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday the government was making all-out relief efforts in the areas hit by recent rains and snowfall, adding that the affected people would not be left alone in this hour of distress.

Addressing a gathering at the sports stadium during a brief visit to affected areas, he said President Gen Pervez Musharraf had issued special directives for speeding up relief operation. He flew over the affected areas in Kaghan, Konsh and Bhogarmang valleys. He was accompanied by NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah.

APP ADDS: The prime minister ordered that relief goods should be air dropped in areas where access was not possible. He announced Rs100,000 compensation for the family of each of the dead and Rs50,000 for each injured.

Talking to reporters, he said that a C-130 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force had taken relief goods to affected areas in Balochistan and added that the government had sufficient resources to cope with the situation.

He appreciated the role of the army, navy and air force in undertaking rescue, rehabilitation and relief efforts in an efficient manner. He said the navy was present in Pasni when the rain came and had started relief work for the calamity-stricken people.

Troops were moved out of Gwadar to affected areas and they were engaged in relief work. Mr Aziz also appreciated the efforts of civil agencies in providing relief to victims.

He said that the people of Balochistan whose mud-houses had been washed away were being accommodated in tents for the time being, adding that work for their rehabilitation would start soon.

In reply to a question, he said there were reports of about 150 to 200 deaths nation wide and added that information was still being gathered. The prime minister said the governor and the chief minister of the NWFP had sought support from the centre. He said that resources would immediately be made available to the provincial government to meet the requirements.

Later, the governor held a meeting at the new circuit house where he said the first priority of the government was to clear snow from hilly roads and repair roads so that relief goods could be sent to the affected areas and the extent of damage could be assessed.

The governor said that the prime minister had directed the National Highway Authority to undertake repair work immediately. The governor asked the local administration to prepare reports about the loss of life and property carefully so that the deserving may not be deprived of compensation.