PESHAWAR, Feb 17: Minister of State for Water and Power Amir Muqam has said the federal government is doing its utmost to provide relief to people affected by rains and snowfall in the NWFP and other parts of the country.

He said the federal government had taken emergency measures for paying compensation of affected, he said in statement on Thursday. The government, he said, had provided two helicopters and 20 bulldozers in Malakand and Hazara Divisions for extending help to people and for opening closed roads.

Besides, the federal government had announced compensation for the family members of dead and injured in the NWFP, he added. Similarly, the federal government had issued directives for provincial and district governments to evaluate losses caused by rain and snowfall and submit a report for relief required. He also assured that all the victims, especially in rural areas, would get interest-free loans from agriculture bank. -APP