Nov 03 , 2015
News
Nawaz launches compensation process for earthquake victims
* Distributes cheques among 203 earthquake affected people in Timergara
APPLOWER DIR: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday launched the compensation process for the earthquake-hit families of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa for their rehabilitation before the winter turns harsh.
Addressing the gatherings of the earthquake-hit people in Timergara and Khar, the prime minister said the compensation package for the affected population had been worked out and compensatory amount would be dispensed among them at the earliest to help them rebuild their damaged houses and their return to normal life.
In a ceremony held in Timergara, the prime minister distributed cheques among over 203 earthquake affected people, making it a formal start of the compensation process.
The cheques worth Rs 600,000 were given to the heirs of those who were killed and Rs 200,000 for those who lost their body parts while Rs 100,000 for those who got injured during the earthquake. The cheques of Rs 200,000 value were given for the reconstruction of damaged houses. In his address to the earthquake affected people, the prime minister said financial compensation could not be regarded as a replacement of loss of precious lives, however, its main purpose was to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people.
The prime minister directed to ensure prompt provision of relief goods including blankets, food and tents as the mercury in high-altitude areas was going to drop significantly in next few weeks.
Addressing tribal elders at Jirga Hall, the prime minister said the earthquake caused huge loss to property in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Bajaur Agency in FATA. He said the government stood with the affected people and was committed to utilise all available resources to minimize their sufferings. He assured full support of the federal government to the tribal people in reconstruction of their damaged houses, adding that in this regard the payment of compensation to the victims would be made at the earliest. The prime minister said a comprehensive programme has been formulated to compensate the owners of partially and fully damaged houses. He said most of the destroyed houses were owned by the poor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk