MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government that a package for rehabilitation of the survivors of the recent earthquake in Mirpur and its adjoining areas is being worked out by the federal government.

“All possible steps for [the assistance and rehabilitation of] the people affected by the earthquake will be taken, without any delay,” Mr Khan declared during his visit to AJK’s lakeside city of Mirpur on Monday to express solidarity with the quake victims.

“I have my greatest sympathies for the people of Azad Kashmir, especially Mirpur, who suffered physical and material losses in the earthquake... I can feel their pain,” he said.

Earlier, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider, along with senior officials, received Mr Khan, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Kashmir Affairs Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, at the Mirpur cricket stadium, where his helicopter landed.

PM Khan was given a briefing on losses and rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations in one of the pavilions of the stadium by AJK Chief Secretary Mathar Niaz Rana with the help of charts and graphs. National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lt Gen Mohammad Afzal was also present on the occasion.

PM visits Mirpur to express solidarity with earthquake victims

Mr Khan said he was on a tour to the United Nations when he learnt about the quake. “I was greatly saddened... I wanted to come here immediately, but my return from the United States was delayed,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Haider told him that rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the earthquake-affected areas was the foremost responsibility of the AJK government and it would be carried out in three phases with the assistance of the federal government.

The AJK government, he said, was prepared to take a lead role in this process due to its experience and the lessons learnt in the wake of the devastating 2005 earthquake.

“The previous AJK governments could not fulfil their obligations with regard to city development projects in the ravaged areas due to which many of those projects are still not fully functional,” he said, adding: “We do not want to repeat that [bad] experience.”

The AJK premier said the quake had deprived most of the victims of their lifelong savings and he had firm faith that like always the government of Pakistan would take special measures to ensure speedy rehabilitation and reconstruction process. “Though the government cannot compensate the entire loss, yet we want the victims to receive at least as much assistance as can help them stand on their feet without any other support.”

He said that since most of the AJK areas were situated in the seismic zone, the government would also make sure that building codes were strictly implemented in all new building plans.

Mr Haider thanked the government, the people, the armed forces and other institutions of Pakistan for their generous support in rescue and relief operation in the affected areas. He also expressed his gratitude to PM Khan for the “best representation” of the freedom-seeking Kashmiris at the United Nations General Assembly.

Later, Prime Minister Khan drove to the nearby Divisional Headquarters Hospital where, according to a doctor, he inquired after the health of all 27 survivors admitted in two wards. Prior to his arrival, his office had also sent bouquets for each of them.

Educational institutions closed

The Mirpur deputy commissioner on Monday ordered closure of all educational institutions for another two days due to ongoing survey/clearance of their buildings.

“Since the inspection process of all buildings in the earthquake-affected areas, initiated after the Sept 24 earthquake and aftershocks, has not been completed as yet, all public and private educational institutions shall remain closed until Oct 2,” read a notification issued by him.

“In the event of violation, responsibility of any loss will rest on the head of the institution concerned, thus rendering him liable to legal action,” it said, asking the heads of educational institutions to consult the structural engineer at the office of divisional commissioner for survey/clearance certificate.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2019