ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Mohammad Yousaf on Tuesday distributed cheques among the affected families of G-7 gas leak explosion that recently left eight people dead and a dozen others injured in the capital.

The powerful explosion destroyed the roofs and walls of eight small houses in the 66-Quarters neighbourhood, an approved slum of the CDA for its sanitation workers. Among the deceased were a bride and the groom.

The minister gave cheques for Rs500,000 each to families of the deceased and Rs50,000 to the injured.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said there was no alternative for the lives that became victims of the incident. However, he said that his ministry from its fund provided funds for the victim families.

“This country belongs to all communities,” the minister said in his apparent reference to Christian community, whose members lost their lives in the tragedy.

He assured them of his full support to the Christian community and stated that the prime minister will also provide an assistance package for the families.

CDA’s Mazdoor Union General Secretary Chaudhry Mohammad Yaseen appreciated the minister for the financial package for the families.

“I would request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide houses, anywhere in Islamabad, to affected members. CDA is custodian of Islamabad and these families can be accommodated anywhere such as Frash Town or in Nilore Height,” he said and also appreciated CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa for extending help to the families on behalf of the civic agency.

“Though CDA provided temporary shelters/houses to these families, it is not the solution. All affected families should be allotted small apartments,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2026