ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq has said every individual who was part of the operation to rescue eight people stranded in a chairlift at a height of 600ft in Batta­gr­­am “exhibited remarkable pro­wess during a daring mission”.

In a ceremony at the PM Office on Thursday to honour locals and armed forces personnel who carried out the rescue operation, Mr Kakar said the entire nation was concerned about the safety of the trapped children, who were stranded for hours.

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The successful rescue endea­vour was “a collaborative achi­evement,” the PM said, adding that those who prayed at homes also deserved recognition.

Kakar meets AJK, GB leaders

“Being a father, I could feel the pain of stranded children’s parents but the teamwork based on prudent and efficient planning ensured their safety.”

“Hats off to all of you who did an immaculate job,” the PM added.

The rescued children, who also attended the event, were given souvenirs.

‘Nation in capable hands’

The PM also hailed the soldiers who were martyred during an exchange of fire with terrorists in Asman Manza area of South Waziristan on Tuesday.

He reiterated that the nation would never forget the sacrifices of the martyrs, including politicians, cops, soldiers, journalists and citizens, who laid down their lives in the war against terrorism.

The prime minister warned that miscreants who were trying to obstruct the state’s functioning for their motives “must remove their misunderstanding”. “This is our home. We know how to run it,” he remarked.

He said providing quality healthcare, education and dignified life to people was the state’s paramount duty. In his address, NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik said effective coordination among relevant departments led to the successful conclusion of a “difficult operation”.

He said a safety audit of all cable cars in the region has been ordered and the report would be presented to the premier. He also emphasised the need for capacity building of local rescue departments to deal with such emergencies.

Meeting with AJK, GB leaders

Separately on Thursday, Mr Kakar met with the Azad Kashmir prime minister and Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister and assured them of all-out support to address the regions’ challenges, APP reported.

AJK PM Chaudhry Anwaar ul Haq congratulated Mr Kakar on assuming the office of caretaker prime minister and expressed his best wishes.

Pakistan stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Kashmir in their struggle for the right of self-determination, he claimed.

In his meeting with Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, the caretaker PM said his government will take all possible steps to solve the problems faced by the GB government.

The GB chief minister complained of the shortage of funds from the federal government for the region’s development projects, according to a statement issued by the GB CM’s office.

He demanded the caretaker PM to increase the budget for development projects and procurement of subsidised wheat.

He also sought help for projects to promote tourism, build hydropower projects and extract minerals.

Mr Kakar said he would visit the region in the first week of September.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2023