Karachi: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reportedly announced an aid package worth 500 million Pakistani rupees for people affected by floods and torrential rain in the northern region, during a recent visit to the area.
The premier also declared that the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited ( ZTBL) loans in the region stood waived off as Chitral had been declared a calamity-hit region by the provincial government, reported the Dawn.
He directed authorities to open more branches of utility stores to ensure continuous supply of food items to the people in the region.
Prime Minister Sharif took an aerial view of the flood-hit areas and was received by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattaf on his arrival. The visit was the first by a premier to the area in 16 years.
He was earlier scheduled to visit the region on Tuesday but had to cancel his plan due to bad weather in Lahore.
At least 300,000 people have been affected by the flash floods that followed heavy rainfall last week.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the flash floods has risen to 13 as four more people were killed after their pick-up truck was washed away by a seasonal stream in Balochistan. (ANI)