MIRPUR (AJK) - A high-level meeting of the AJK government reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief activities in snow-hit areas of Neelum Valley, and decided to shift the affected population immediately on war-footings to safer places.

It also pledged to provide the best available medical facilities to those injured in the calamity. The meeting,  held Tuesday afternoon, with Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan in the chair. High-ranking officials also attended.

Civil administration has been directed to accelerate and complete the rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations in the affected areas with the cooperation of Pak Army. 

Meeting reviewed the availability of sufficient food-stock in the Neelum Valley and upper belts of the state.

The Prime Minister directed the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), civil administration and other concerned departments to ensure provision of basic necessities of life to the affected population in snow hit areas of the state.

Pledges to provide the best medical facilities for injured

Highways wing of AJK Public Works  Department has been directed to deploy more machinery in the affected areas on war footing basis for clearance of road network for the smooth rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations.

Concerned departments have been directed to take immediate steps for the payment of compensation to the deceased and injured persons in the recent tragic incidents. The meeting was briefed that SDMA with the assistance of Pak Army had already delivered ration for hundred affected families as well as necessary equipments for the burial of seventy dead-bodies. Ministers Ahmed Raza Qadri and Col (R) Waqar Noor had visited the district control room in Neelum on Tuesday and monitored the ongoing rescue and relief activities.

The Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan will also leave soon to the affected areas to monitor the relief and rehabilitation efforts by themselves.

Fatiha was also offered for those who lost their lives in the tragic incident and prayer for the early recovery of the injured persons.

Meanwhile, talking to an international news channel here on Tuesday, Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan told that 62 people had been killed in the recent torrential rain and heavy snowfall throughout the state.

The Prime Minister said that all out efforts are being made to minimize the sufferings of the affected population.

He said the top most priority of the government is to rescue the people from affected areas shifting them to the safer places.

Raja Farooq Haider said all available resources are being utilized for the rescue and relief efforts and concerned departments have been directed to complete the rescue, relief and rehabilitation operation at the earliest.