News
Thursday, April 25, 2013
PM orders cash grants, tents for quake-hit families* Khoso says govt to hold fair, credible elections, transfer power to elected representatives
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Justice (r) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Wednesday approved a proposal for provision of cash grants to around 3000 quake-hit families of Mashkhel, Balochistan, to help them reconstruct their properties.
The prime minister chaired a high-level meeting at the PM’s House to review the progress on development projects, assessment of damages caused by the recent earthquake and recruitment in federal government against the quota of Balochistan. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Water and Power Dr Musadiq Malik, WAPDA Chairman Raghib Abbas Shah, ERRA Deputy Chairman Major General M Azeem Asif, NDMA Chairman Major General M Saeed Ali, senior officials of Balochistan government, representatives of the Planning Division and senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
Prime Minister Khoso directed that tents should be provided to the people of Mashkhel for temporary shelter. He also approved the proposal to provide cash grant to the 2500-3000 affected families and added that these buildings would be constructed as per the specifications provided by ERRA. The prime minister was informed that in line with policy of providing gas in the areas where it is explored, the federal government is planning four schemes for provision of gas connections to the locals in Jafferabad, Jhal Magsi and Naseerabad. The WAPDA chairman briefed the meeting about the progress made so far in the construction of Kacchi Canal.
He informed that funds were now available and work was in full swing because of enhanced working hours. The WAPDA chairman further said that the focus was on the strengthening of structures in the canal so that it could withstand hill torrents that had caused havocs during recent floods. The chairman also informed the meeting that Ministry of Water and Power is planning to construct a grid station affected by floods at Sobatpoor which, he said, would help improve the electricity distribution in the province.
Shah also informed the prime minister that people of Jafferabad, Jhal Magsi and Naseerabad areas were being given priority in provision of electricity connections. Prime Minister Khoso was informed that total population of Mashkhel Sub Division is estimated at 50,000. The earthquake-affected area ranged between 20-25 kilometres. Around 85-90% mud structures were weakened by unusual pre-earthquake and all types of structural damages can range from 2000-5000.
The prime minister assigned ERRA to undertake reconstruction and rehabilitation activities in the affected areas for post-disaster recovery in consultation with provincial government. A comprehensive briefing was given by ERRA Deputy Chairman Major General M Azeem Asif. The prime minister was told that Mashkhel was a remote area bordering Iran which was recently struck by an earthquake leading to 13 deaths and damages to property. The Pakistan Army immediately started rescue and relief operation and the first rescue team reached Mashkhel within three hours.
Since the earthquake struck during day, the loss was minimal, as it was 7.8 in magnitude and deep and people had gone out for work. Reporting on the damage caused in the area, the ERRA deputy chairman informed the meeting that 85% of the houses, 90% of commercial property and 70% of public property has been damaged in Mashkhel. Recounting the challenges faced by the rescue teams, General Asif said that dust storms, inaccessibility owing to lack of road links and coverage of large area by Hamun-e-Mashkhel Lake posed difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the area. The prime minister was informed that a high-level delegation comprising representatives of ERRA, NDMA and senior officials of the Balochistan government visited Mashkhel to assess damages and chalk out a plan to start rehabilitation in the area. Khoso was also informed that the Establishment Division was working on a plan to fill the vacancies in the federal government against quota of Balochistan.
The Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has said that that the caretaker government is focusing on holding free, fair, transparent and credible elections in the country and would extend all possible assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the conduct of elections. The premier reiterated that power will be transferred to the elected representatives after the elections process was completed. He was talking to British High Commissioner Adam Thomson who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk