- Sharif says he cannot ask banks to waive off agri loans but govt will try its best to facilitate affected people
- Says implementation of relief package has already begun
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday announced a grant of Rs 40 million to help earthquake affected people pay back their agriculture loans.
Addressing the victims of earthquake in Dasu, Kohistan district, the prime minister said the government can understand their pain and loss and would do all within its means to bring them comfort.
Sharif said he cannot ask the banks to waive their outstanding agricultural loans but told them that he will provide whatever amount the people owe to the banks in the form of a grant, so they may pay off their agricultural loans.
Sharif also said that the implementation of the relief package announced by him has started.
The relief package will provide monetary compensation to people who were injured or lost their family members in the earthquake, and also to those whose houses were either destroyed or damaged in the earthquake.
Owners of houses destroyed will get Rs 200,000 and partially damaged Rs 100,000, according to the announcement made by Sharif.
“The federal and the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will pay Rs 600,000 to the next of kin of those who lost their life in this tragedy,” said the prime minister, adding that the affected people will be provided all necessary relief goods, including tents, blankets and food items.
The premier also stated on the occasion that relief goods would also be provided through the use of helicopters in areas which are inaccessible by land routes in the district of Kohistan. He directed all relevant authorities to open blocked routes in the district through the use of heavy machinery.
The worst quake-hit areas are in remote mountainous regions. Pakistan’s disaster management authority said it has distributed 28,219 tents, 35,700 blankets and tons of food among quake victims.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister was briefed on the situation in the district. He was accompanied by KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak and Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid.
Under the package, Rs 600,000 will be paid to the family of each dead, Rs 100,000 to the injured and Rs 200,000 in case of permanent disability.
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck major cities of Pakistan, including the northern areas on Monday, leaving more than 200 dead and more than 1,000 injured due to building collapses, landslides, stampedes and other quake related incidents.
