Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change: PM Shehbaz

PESHAWAR, March 06 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized robust planning and institutional structure to tackle natural calamities.

Shehbaz Sahrif was talking to the affectees of rains and floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during his visit to Peshawar on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. He said Pakistan has faced disastrous floods during 2022 and recently the torrential rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa led to death of about 40 people.

The Prime Minister appreciated the role of Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the chief secretary, district administrations and all those who contributed in the effort to rescue and rehabilitate the rain affected people.

He said the compensation amount has already been distributed among the injured and heirs of the deceased.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to take all possible measures for the relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by torrential rains and snowfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Chairing a meeting in Peshawar on Wednesday, he instructed the National Disaster Management Authority to take maximum steps, in collaboration with the provincial administration for rescue and rehabilitation of affectees.

The Prime Minister said that provision of compensation amount to the residents of affected houses should be ensured within next five days.

He said the federal government will extend all possible assistance to the affected people in this hour of need. He said all institutions should jointly take part in the rescue and relief efforts for the affected people.

The Prime Minister was informed about the losses and ongoing rescue and relief operation in the wake of torrential rains and snowfall in the province.

It was told that 40 people lost their lives, while 62 others, including 27 children, injured in the recent rains and snowfall. Besides, 635 houses were damaged either fully or partially.

The meeting was briefed that two million rupees each are being provided to the family members of those, who died in the rain related incidents, while five hundred thousand rupees each are being given to the injured. Similarly, seven hundred thousand rupees are being given to the owners of fully damaged and three hundred and fifty thousand rupees to partially affected houses.

The Prime Minister was apprised that all the leading highways of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been made functional, whereas work is underway on roads affected by snowfall and landslide.

The meeting was further told that the National Disaster Management Authority, provincial and district administration are fully prepared to deal with any emergency situation that may arise due to expected snowfall in next couple of days.