Shehbaz vows relief after monsoon havoc
Monsoon-related disasters have so far resulted in 295 fatalities and over 700 injuries nationwide, a government body said on Friday.
Briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the devastation caused by the torrential rains in different parts of the country, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik said more than 1,600 homes have been completely destroyed, and 376 livestock lost due to the severe weather.
Earlier, the prime minister reaffirmed the support of the federal government to ensure relief and recovery in the monsoon devastation affected regions of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The prime minister chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the human and material losses caused by the ongoing monsoon season, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The session focused on immediate relief efforts, future preparedness, and federal support to the affected regions, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and extensive damage inflicted by torrential rains across the country, especially in GB and AJK. He reiterated the federal government's unwavering solidarity with the regional governments and the affected people.
"The federal government stands shoulder to shoulder with the administrations and citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir in this hour of grief," the prime minister stated.
"I will soon visit Gilgit-Baltistan to express solidarity with the victims, and a comprehensive federal relief package will be announced to support recovery and rehabilitation efforts," he added.
The prime minister issued special directives to all federal agencies to collaborate closely with regional authorities to conduct damage assessments and expedite relief measures. He stressed the need to prioritize life-saving interventions and safeguard both human lives and property.
Highlighting the need for better disaster preparedness, the prime minister ordered an urgent overhaul of the early warning system run by the Pakistan Meteorological Department to make it more proactive and effective.
He also directed the concerned departments to restore and repair road networks and communication infrastructure on an emergency basis to ensure timely aid delivery and mobility in affected areas.
The prime minister emphasized a coordinated and rapid response to minimize further damage and ensure that those affected receive timely assistance and rehabilitation.
KSE-100 Index
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed satisfaction over the landmark rise of the Pakistan Stock Exchange's KSE-100 Index, which surged past the 140,000-point level for the first time in history.
Calling it a "positive reflection of investor confidence," the prime minister said the bullish trend in the stock market indicates growing trust in the government's economic policies. "The upward momentum in the stock exchange is a strong endorsement of our economic direction," he said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that facilitating business and investment remains a top priority for his administration.
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