GILGIT, May 2: The government of Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday released Rs315 million to be disbursed among the internally displaced people of Hunza who were affected by the formation of an artificial lake on Hunza river after a devastating landslide.

This was stated by Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Wazir Baig while talking to this correspondent.

He said 457 families which had lost their homes and lands in the disaster would be paid Rs600,000 each.

Mr Baig said the disbursement would begin after verification of the families by the National Database Registration Authority. He said the people of Gulmit, Sarat, Shishkat and Karimabad would be compensated.

The lawmaker added the federal government had fulfilled its pledge of providing funds to compensate the affected families.

He said new boats were being purchased for safe travel of the people across the artificial lake. He thanked the president and prime minister for extending financial help to the IDPs. —Correspondent