MOHMAND: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Friday distributed cheques of financial assistance to the victims of a massive rockslide in a marble mine in Mohmand tribal district.

He gave away a Rs0.9 million cheque to the family of every deceased and that of Rs0.1 million to every injured miner.

Mr Mahmood also announced a monthly stipend of Rs50,000 for the family of deceased Samiullah, the only brother of seven sisters.

During a short visit to Mohmand district, he met families of the rockslide incident in Ziarat marble mine and distributed cheques of financial assistance to the families of the rockslide victims.

Labour minister Shaukat Yousafzai, special assistant to the chief minister Arif Ahmadzai, MNA Sajid Mohmand, commissioner of Peshawar, and high-ups of the district administration, Rescue 1122 and relevant departments were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said deaths in the Ziarat rockslide was an extraordinary tragedy and that the government stood with the affected families and prayed for their patience and perseverance over the irretrievable loss.

“There is no substitute for human life. However, we are taking all possible steps for the assistance and relief of the victims and their families,” he said.

Mr Mahmood said he would not leave the rockslide victims alone.

He said he was constantly taking reports of the overall situation with regard to relief activities at the site.

“The rescue operation will continue until all missing bodies are exhumed,” he said.

On the occasion, the chief minister lauded the role of Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army and other relevant agencies in the rescue operation and said the prompt and speedy response of the relevant agencies during the recent floods and in the marble mines incident was highly admirable.

Earlier, Fateha was also offered for the deceased and speedy recovery of the injured.

Meanwhile, body of miner Rashid was recovered as search and rescue operation continued for the fifth consecutive day on Friday at the site of the rockslide in Ziarat.

The death toll from the incident reached 25, spokesman for Rescue 1122 Abdullah Mohmand said.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2020