MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Tuesday declared the earthquake-affected areas of Mirpur and adjoining areas as “calamity hit” to facilitate survivors.

“In exercise of powers under section 3 of the AJK Natural Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act, 1976, tehsil Mirpur of Mirpur district and three union councils — Panjeri, Kasgumma and Akbarabad — of neighbouring Bhimber district are being declared as calamity hit,” read the official notification.

“Additionally, the divisional commissioner Mirpur is also appointed as relief commissioner to carry out the functions under the said act,” added the notification, issued by the AJK Board of Revenue.

On September 24, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake had jolted Mirpur district of AJK leaving 38 dead, over 500 others injured and damaged thousands of houses and road infrastructure. Two days later another quake hit the region leaving 67 people injured.

According to deputy commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz, around 20 officials and representatives of more than 10 United Nations agencies visited Mirpur on Monday and held a meeting with the crises management cell, headed by Fayyaz Ali Abbasi, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) to discuss how they could extend help to the quake survivors.

Also on Monday, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and his wife visited the earthquake-hit areas of Mirpur. The governor distributed Rs10,000 to the injured, Rs20,000 each to the families of 38 deceased persons, apart from relief goods under his Sarwar Foundation, according to a press release.

Talking to media persons, Mr Sarwar said Kashmir was Pakistan’s jugular vein and Pakistanis were ready to sacrifice their lives for it. “Under the leadership of Imran Khan, we have exposed the face of Narendra Modi in front of the whole world ... The opposition can do whatever pleases them [but] we will carry on our mission of serving the nation.”

While responding to a question, Mr Sarwar said he had assured the AJK government that “we will not abandon them in this hour of crises and need.”

“The government will appeal the Pakistani and Kashmir diaspora residing in UK, USA and EU to help in building houses for the earthquake victims and Sarwar Foundation will also fully participate in relief activities,” he said.

He said the AJK government had provided support to the earthquake victims within a short time period for which it deserved appreciation.

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting chaired by AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Monday resolved to complete the ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the quake-hit areas “on a fast track”.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd , 2019