MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has stressed the need for creating awareness and preparing the people to effectively respond to natural calamities so as to minimise the losses.

Talking to reporters after visiting earthquake victims at Divisional Headquarters Hospital Mirpur on Saturday, the president said he was shocked over the loss of life and property caused by the quake on Sept 24.

At the same time, he added, it was a matter of satisfaction that all disaster management agencies of both Pakistan and AJK had timely carried out relief and rescue work through coordinated efforts.

The president, who was in the United States when the earthquake struck Mirpur, said that the Pakistani and Kashmiri community abroad was extremely worried over the losses caused by the quake and wanted to extend every kind of support to the affected people.

“Not only Pakistanis and Kashmiris, but also the foreign citizens, NGOs and state agencies want to provide relief to quake victims and after completion of the ongoing survey it would be decided whether or not to accept financial support for the rehabilitation work,” he said.

Later, Mr Khan attended a briefing by the divisional commissioner on the losses caused by the quake as well as the steps taken for rescue, relief and rehabilitation so far.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2019