MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Monday to witness the losses caused by rains and floods in the region.

Addressing a ceremony in Rawalakot, he assured the AJK authorities of his government’s full support in mitigating the suffering of those affected by the flooding.

“The government stands by you and is trying its best to alleviate your suffering,” an AJK government handout quoted the prime minister as saying.

Mr Sharif emphasised the importance of Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project and said that after completion it would meet energy needs of the region.

The project was progressing well and would be completed in 2017, he said, adding that its cost had swelled from the original Rs50 billion to Rs250bn.

He asked the AJK government to prepare a roadmap for development of the area.

The prime minister distributed compensation cheques among the dependants of some of the flood-hit people.

Earlier, AJK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan and Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed welcomed Mr Sharif.

Mr Majeed said he had rejected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s offer of financial help for flood victims in AJK because India had usurped the rights of Kashmiris.

Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal said 64 people had lost their lives and 109 suffered injuries in AJK and compensation would be paid to the affected families.

He said 1,805 houses had been destroyed and 3,943 damaged. The number of damaged shops stood at 185. Over 29,000 people were rendered homeless in around 120 villages, he added.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2014