Pakistan

2015 quake survivors struggle to rebuild lives

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2023

Admin

PESHAWAR:

The 2005 survivors, haunted by the memories of a devastating earthquake that struck 18 years ago, are still trapped in a cycle of misery, hoping for a new lease on life that seems elusive.

Due to a grim lack of funding and mismanagement of institutions, the rehabilitation work in the affected areas remains incomplete, leaving the survivors trapped in a cycle of misery and hoping for a new lease on life that seems elusive.

Moreover, the city of Balakot, situated in the heart of the fault line, still remains unsettled in Bakrial.

The aftermath of the earthquake left its mark on the region, with over 200,000 children forced to endure educational hardships as the non-availability of institutions left them studying under the open sky.

Over 1,730 reconstruction and rehabilitation projects are still incomplete in the areas affected by the earthquake, out of which 1,112 are educational institutions.

The earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, rattled not only Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Its destructive force claimed over 100,000 lives, including men, women, and children.

The disaster affected more than 500,000 families, rendering some 3.5 million people homeless.

The seismic event left a devastating toll on infrastructure, with over 780,000 buildings damaged, including 17,000 schools and numerous hospitals.

Adding to the plight of the survivors, funds from the federal government have not been forthcoming since April 2021, resulting in the cessation of work on 919 ongoing projects. Moreover, work could not even commence on 811 projects, including 597 school construction initiatives.

There is a glimmer of hope, however, as 81 school construction projects and 5 public health initiatives could be completed by June 2024 if a sum of Rs1 billion is provided. This injection of funds could bring some relief to the survivors and accelerate the much-needed rehabilitation efforts.

Meanwhile, in Azad Jammu Kashmir all is set to commemorate the 18th anniversary of history’s worst deadly earthquake on Sunday (today) with due feelings of seriousness, respect and determination as the National Disaster Awareness Day with the tributes to be paid to the martyrs and other victims of the history’s first-ever most-worst deadly catastrophe in the region.

A grand ceremony will be hosted by the Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) and Educational Complex Mirpur AJK.

KORT, which houses hundreds of children who had fallen orphaned and homeless in the deadly earthquake will be the hallmark of the anniversary.

The ceremony will begin at 6.00 a.m. in Swabi.

The earthquake also exacted a heavy toll on livestock, with approximately 250,000 farm animals perishing. Aftershocks continued for an extended period following the initial quake, compounding the already dire situation.

An area spanning 30 square kilometres experienced the full impact of the disaster, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, injuries, and irreparable damage to property and infrastructure.

The numbers tell a grim tale – 600,000 houses destroyed, 6,298 schools reduced to rubble, and 796 health centres wiped out. Roads and infrastructure lay in ruins, cutting off communities from vital services. Water supply, sanitation, telecommunication, and power infrastructure were crippled, further compounding the suffering of survivors and rendering 50-70% of these systems non-operational.

Over 6,440 kilometres of roads were left in ruins.

Similarly, 42,600 families found themselves bereft of their livelihoods and forced to rely on societal assistance.

Schools bore the brunt of nature’s fury, with teachers and children experiencing the greatest losses.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), K-P and Azad Kashmir alone lost 18,588 children and 873 teachers.

(With input from APP)

Related Topics:lives quake rebuild struggle survivors

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Pakistan

Father of girl killed for ‘honour’ arrested in Kohistan

Published

34 mins ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

Police in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Tuesday arrested the father of the girl who was allegedly killed in the name of “honour” in Kohistan, officials said.

The suspect Arsala was presented before a local court which granted a seven-day physical remand. Three suspected accomplices, believed to have aided and advised the accused, have also been taken into custody.

On Sunday, a young girl was murdered and another rescued by the police in a case involving a viral video in which both the girls could be seen dancing with local boys.

The girl was killed in the Barsharyal village of Kohistan’s Palas — 150km northwest of Mansehra — allegedly by her own family members on orders issued by a local jirga.

The boys featured in the video, which went viral on social media around four days ago, had gone into hiding.

According to details, in the case registered under sections 114, 15AA, 302/311/109/34 PPC at Palas police station on November 28, 2023, the arrested suspect, Arsala, son of Mohsin, belonging to the Barsharyal tribe, was presented before the senior sessions judge/ Palas Assistant Commissioner.

The police had requested a 10-day physical remand for further investigation, but the judge approved a seven-day remand. The accused will be interrogated further in connection with the case.

Three other alleged accomplices in this gruesome murder have also been arrested. Among them, one is Arsala’s brother, one is his uncle’s son, and the third is a close relative. They have been apprehended on charges of abetment and will be presented before the court for physical remand.

Meanwhile, the boy, identified as Rahmat Shah, who featured in the viral images, has been rescued safely by the local police from Barsharyal.

The police had recorded his statement, and he will be presented in court for further legal proceedings.

Police teams are actively present in Barsharyal, conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.

Pakistan

PM Kakar arrives in Kuwait on two-day official visit

Published

2 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

KUWAIT:

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday arrived in Kuwait on a two-day official visit to meet the brotherly country’s leadership.

Upon his arrival at the airport, Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the prime minister, PM Office said in a press release.

Pakistan Ambassador to Kuwait Malik Muhammad Farooq and other senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.

Read more: Investment worth $10b on the cards

During his visit, the premier will meet Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar arrived in Kuwait for his two day official visit, today. Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Enegery, Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the Prime Minister upon his arrival. pic.twitter.com/ZmeVlZk3S8
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) November 28, 2023

During the visit, a new era of economic and economic cooperation between the two countries will begin.

A number of MoUs will be signed for mutual cooperation in various sectors including manpower, information technology, minerals and mining, food security, energy and defence, it was further added.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture, the caretaker prime minister was also presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture to welcome guests, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar being presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/3RP94rclqz
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) November 28, 2023

Earlier this month, the interim federal cabinet gave the nod to seven memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with Kuwait for an investment worth $10 billion.

The MoUs would be signed by PM Kakar during the visit.

The MoUs will be inked for projects in various fields, including expansion of water reservoirs, mining facilities, protection and expansion of mangrove forests for coastal areas, investment in IT sector and food security.

The MoUs between the two countries became possible due to the efforts made by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), according to a statement issued by the PM Office earlier.

It added that the interim premier, who chaired the meeting in the federal capital, and his cabinet members appreciated the efforts of the SIFC and the relevant ministries.

The caretaker prime minister issued directions to the federal authorities concerned to ensure cooperation with the provinces for early and fair execution of the projects.

Pakistan

Govt will support ECP in holding ‘fair polls’

Published

3 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi Tuesday said under Article 218(3) of the Constitution, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would fulfill its responsibility to conduct fair, transparent and impartial elections and the government would support it.

Talking to media in the federal capital, the interim minister noted that the Constitution comprised 280 articles, adding that it not only had the article pertaining to holding of elections in 90 days but also had Article 254.

“Everyone in Pakistan has freedom to express opinion, complain and criticize,” he said.

The minister maintained that the PML-N also had the same liberty as of the PPP and the other parties.

He said Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had apprised the people about his visit to the UAE on Monday night through a video message.