MUZAFFARABAD: Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. Mohammad Afzal called on Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Raja Muhammad Farooq Khan here on Thursday and expressed deep grief and sorrow over the losses of precious lives and properties in recent Neelum avalanche tragedy.
Chairman NDMA told Prime Minister that his organization is extending all out support to the affectees of Neelum Valley, Lesswa and Mirpur earthquake.
He said construction work on the pending schools buildings in the earthquake 2005 affected areas would be completed by June this year. “Construction work on the health centers in quake hit areas would also be completed on priority”, Afzal added.
Chairman NDMA said that government and people of Pakistan are standing with people and government of Azad Kashmir in this time of crisis.
He told Prime Minister that Lesswa cloudburst devastated infrastructure is being reconstructed with the financial assistance of Saudi Fund. “All damaged houses, shops, roads and mosques would be reconstructed. Resources have been arranged for the reconstruction of 400 houses in quake hit areas of Mirpur while different agencies being contacted for the remaining work on 1200 houses”, he further told.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan said we cannot stop the natural calamities. However, quick response to such tragedies is the collective responsibility of the all institutions.
Lauding the role of Pak Army, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), District Administration and Police in rescue and relief efforts after the heavy snowfall in Neelum, the Prime Minister urged NDMA to help building the capacity of SDMA so that organization itself could quickly respond to such tragedies.
He said state government couldn’t construct earthquake resistance buildings due to the limited resource. “44 billion rupees would be required for the construction of all damaged schools buildings while the schools building in south are also in bad conditions”, PM told Chairman NDMA.
Prime Minister invited the attention of Chairman NDMA towards the quality of work of Bagh District Complex and urged him to visit and inspect it himself.
Meanwhile, Chairman NDMA (NDMA) Lt. Gen. Mohammad Afzal also met with Chief Secretary Mathar Niaz Rana in his office and discussed with him the ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities in Neelum.