GILGIT: Federal government has announced a compensation of Rs2 million each for the families of seven volunteers who lost their lives while repairing a water channel damaged by floods in Danyore town in Gilgit.
The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, SAFRON, and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, on Wednesday.
Muqam, who is on a three-day visit to Gilgit-Baltistan to assess flood-related damages, met with the families of the deceased. He offered condolences and prayed for the departed souls.
Paying tribute to the volunteers, Muqam called their sacrifice a symbol of courage and patriotism. “The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are the true guardians of our borders. Their sacrifices for the nation are a matter of pride,” he said.
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally monitoring the flood situation in Gilgit-Baltistan and has directed that each affected family be given Rs2 million by the federal government. “All available resources will be used to ensure the best medical care for the injured,” Muqam assured.
The federal minister also announced that a memorial or center would be established in recognition of their bravery so that future generations remember their sacrifice.
On July 22, a flood triggered by a heavy downpour in the Danyore Nullah damaged at least 12 houses in the Chilmish area of Gilgit. The flash flood also destroyed four water channels originating from the nullah, leaving nearly 50,000 residents without irrigation and drinking water.
Muqam assured that the federal government would fully support efforts to restore water access and stood in solidarity with the affected communities. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued clear directives to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts in the flood-hit areas.
Gilgit-Baltistan former chief minister Hafeezur Rehman and ex-member of the legislative assembly Dr Muhammad Iqbal also accompanied the minister during the visit and briefed him on the scale of destruction caused by the floods in the Manogah Nullah.
Earlier, the federal minister visited the Provincial Emergency Control Room in Gilgit, where Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) Director General and Interior Secretary Ali Asghar gave him a detailed briefing on the affected areas and the ongoing relief operations.
Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza and other senior officials presented comprehensive reports on the flood situation. Muqam appreciated the efforts of the administration and assured full cooperation from the federal government. He instructed that immediate relief be provided to the affected populations without delay.