MINGORA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated on Saturday his government’s resolve to help the people affected by last month’s earthquake rebuild their lives and assured them that they would not be left alone.

Addressing a gathering of quake survivors and elders of Swat in Barikot area, the prime minister said he had visited some areas soon after they had been hit by the earthquake and would be visiting more in days to come.

He said a compensation package for quake victims had been prepared in consultation with the KP government.

“Soon after the tragedy, we directed government machinery in the quake-stricken areas to conduct a survey to assess the damage and decided to distribute compensation among the families of the deceased and the injured in the first phase,” he said.

Mr Sharif said the process of making payment to the families of the deceased had been completed, adding that compensation for damaged houses would be distributed by Nov 24.

He expressed the hope that the damaged houses would be reconstructed before the advent of winter in those areas where snowfall occurred.

The premier announced that a road would be constructed between Chakdara and Kalam on the standard of motorway.

Compensation cheques were distributed among some quake survivors on the occasion.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Adviser to PM Amir Muqam were present.

Earlier, he was briefed on the damage and losses caused by the tremors in the area and the government response to it. He praised the district Nazim and deputy commissioner of Swat for taking prompt and effective action to provide relief to effected people.

He condemned the terrorist attacks in Paris, France, and expressed grief over the loss of human lives. He recalled that Swat valley had been engulfed by terrorism in the past.

“Thanks to Allah for rescuing you from militants through the sacrifices of security forces,” he said, adding that the entire country would get rid of terrorism soon.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2015