Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday launched the compensation process for the earthquake-hit families of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa for their early rehabilitation, what he resolved, would be accomplished 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 has been worked out and compensatory amount would be dispensed among them at 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 and 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 the government's promise had been fulfilled for providing support to the earthquake hit people in the shortest possible time. He 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.
He mentioned that the compensation package was formulated in consultation with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervaiz Khattak. He said efforts were underway to complete the process of cheque distribution on fast pace. 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. He lauded the assistance provided by armed forces in assessing the damages in the earthquake hit areas and also commended the provincial government and public representatives for their timely support.
The Prime Minister prayed for those who had lost their lives during the earthquake that struck the country on October 26. Earlier, the Prime Minister was briefed that Chakdara, Jandol, Khal, Timergara, Balambut and Lal Qila Maidan were the areas of Lower Dir most hit by earthquake. As many as 2,209 houses were destroyed completely and 5,132 were partially damaged in these areas. The Prime Minister was informed that special counters had been set-up at local banks for encashment of compensation cheques. Later, addressing another gathering of earthquake affected people in Khar, the Bajaur Agency headquarters, the Prime Minister said the government wanted to ensure the early rehabilitation of earthquake hit families as the process had already been initiated with the distribution of compensation cheques among people.
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