• Families who lost loved ones to get Rs2m, injured to receive Rs500,000
• Compensation package to be implemented in next four days, assures Shehbaz
• 7,000 ration bags to be distributed per day to displaced people

GWADAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday visited the coa­stal district of Gwa­dar, which was declared calamity-hit after recent torrential rains triggered massive floods, and unveiled a relief package aimed at helping the residents who have faced life and property losses due to the inclement weather.

Under the compensation package, the federal government will pay Rs2 million to families who have lost loved ones and Rs500,000 to the injured people. Besides, Rs750,000 would be paid to the residents whose homes have been entirely demolished by the disaster and Rs350,000 to the households with partially damaged properties.

Prime Minister Sharif, who arrived in Gwadar a day after his oath-taking, was accompanied by PML-N leaders Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Atta Tarar and Jamal Kamal.

The premier visited rain-hit areas along with Balochistan Chief Mini­ster Sarfraz Bugti and parliamentarians belon­g­ing to the province and assured that the government would help the affected people rebuild their homes.

He also interacted with locals and was given a briefing on the relief activities. He sympathised with the bereaved families and assured them that the compensation package would be implemented within four days. Moreover, 7,000 ration bags will be distributed daily among the displaced people from today (Wednesday) onwards until they return to their homes.

“This is not a favour. It’s the duty of the newly elected government and me as the prime minister,” the premier told the affected people. “You are our brothers and sisters. I am here to assure you that the government will not leave you alone. We are with you. How can I sit in Islamabad when you are homeless?”

Mr Sharif also distributed cheques and relief goods, including food items, blankets and water coolers, among the affected people.

He also appreciated the personnel of the Pak­i­stan Army, Pakistan Navy, Coast Guards, and the national and provincial disaster management authorities for their efforts.

Reflecting on his previous government’s resp­onse to the 2022 floods, Mr Sharif recalled that the coalition government had distributed Rs100 billion among the affected people across the country at the time.

During a briefing by officials concerned, the prime minister was informed that five people were killed in the recent rain-related incidents across the province, though no casualty was reported from Gwadar.

Floodwater that submerged several areas was receding, and the situation in the cities was improving. Besides, water filtration plants have been set up, and medicines are available for the homeless people. Mr Sharif was also given a detailed briefing on the damages and measures to help the victims in other areas of the country.

He emphasised the need to develop an early warning system using modern technology and satellites to detect natural calamities. He also stressed the need to formulate and present a plan for the rehabilitation of the victims.

Chief Minister Bugti also spoke on the occasion and assured the residents that the damages caused by recent rains in Gwadar would be addressed and rehabilitation efforts were ongoing. He said the affected people of Gwadar were the centre of government’s attention.

“We hope that the federal and provincial governments will complete the rehabilitation process of the affected through joint efforts in a short time,” he said and thanked Prime Minister Sharif for visiting Gwadar and expressing solidarity with the affectees.

PPP MNA Malik Shah Gorgage, Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Balochistan MPAs Shoaib Nosherwani and Maulana Hidayatur Rehman and senior officials were also present.

Saleem Shahid in Quetta also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2024