- Senior Minister Inayatullah Khan says 7.5 earthquake caused massive damage in province, especially in Malakand Division
- NDMA says death toll from quake has soared to 268
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched an appeal for speedy donations from the international community for the earthquake-affected areas of the province due to gravity of the situation, especially in the worst-hit Malakand division.
Interestingly, the move comes after Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid had said that Pakistan does not need foreign aid to help the victims of the quake, and is self sufficient enough to handle things on its own.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had earlier announced a relief package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one which was lauded by KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. The compensation package was devised in collaboration with the KP government.
Despite this, Senior KP Minister Inayatullah Khan on Thursday said that the provincial government would welcome immediate assistance of the world community and international relief agencies.
The minister made this appeal while talking to rescue and relief authorities, affectees and media during a visit of remote mountainous villages Gandigar, Haji Baba, Barawal, Rehankot and other areas of Dir Upper district on the third day of the devastating earthquake.
He, however, clarified that such an international help must be on crash basis and in practical shape rather than mere offers, commitments and assurances.
He said that the federal and provincial governments though immediately launched the rescue and relief operation soon after occurrence of the natural calamity while a joint compensation package has also been announced for the affectees but the fact has also come to surface that this earthquake proved more devastating to the people of Malakand including Dir, Chitral and Shangla Division than that of 2005.
DEATH TOLL RISES:
Meanwhile, the death toll from the 7.5 magnitude that hit on Monday has soared to 268.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 1,864 people were injured while 13,771 houses were damaged in the quake.
KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Thursday said that the quake claimed at least 221 lives while not less than 12,000 houses bore complete or partial damages in the Province.
The authority stated that Shangla tops the list of death toll among different districts with 50 people lost. Swat follows with 34 deaths, while those in Chitral suffered 32. The death tally in Lower Dir and Upper Dir is 24 and 17 respectively.
At least 20 locals lost lives in Torghor, 11 in Kohistan Upper, nine in Bonair, four in Peshawar, two in Mansehra, one in Hangu, Abbottabad and Batgram while three each in Mardan and Charsadda.
The report further states that more than 12,000 houses have been damaged in the massive quake that brought back to minds the October 2005 disaster. At least 155 schools buildings have been damaged in KP.
On the other hand, the government has announced compensation money of at least Rs 600,000 for the heirs of those killed while Rs 200,000 had been set for the severely injured.
An amount of Rs 3 billion was released for relief and rehabilitation activities in earthquake affected districts in the province.
According to the PDMA, the amount of Rs. 3 billion has been transferred in the relief accounts of 14 districts of KP, which were affected due to the quake.
The government is also starting the distribution of compensation amount the earthquake affectees from November 2, and the process will be completed within four days.
Moreover, the Punjab PDMA has distributed Rs 2.5 million among the families of five deceased persons who lost their lives during the earthquake on October 26.
Separately, Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) special flight has reached Chitral with another 16,000 lb ration and items paramount to survival. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stated that at least 28,219 tents, staple diet that weighs more than 450 tons and 45,700 quilts have been distributed among the affectees in different areas.
A C-130 aircraft flew from Nur Khan Airbase with relief goods for locals of quake-hit areas. The NDMA stated that at least 14 tons of potable water bottles are among the already distributed items.
Spokesperson for the authority said that NDMA Chairman Major General Asghar Nawaz would pay a visit to Malakand Division and review the relief activities.
Another C-130 aircraft airlifted approximately 18,000 pounds of dry ration, which was donated by Pakistan Air Force. The relief goods comprising flour, rice, pulses, oil, milk, tea and sugar were airlifted for Chitral.
While on their way back to PAF Base, Nur Khan, they also evacuated the injured from Chitral. PAF is actively taking part in the relief operations and its C-130 aircraft are playing a vital role in helping the people of Chitral in this hour of need.
