Kaira declares Gojal tehsil of Hunza district as calamity-hit

GILGIT, Mar 16 (APP): Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, who is also the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting declared upper Hunza, Tehsil Gojal as calamity-hit area.  The area has been cut-off due to formation of an artificial lake following massive land slide on Jan 4. Addressing a press conference here, the Governor Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) said there was no possibility of the breach of the lake but if required the Government  was fully prepared to deal with any situation.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the local people would be given quality seeds and fertilizers, free of cost, besides waiving off two semesters fee for those students who belong to calamity-hit part of Hunza.

The Governor said that lifeline for the region was restoration of roads network. He said that different options were under consideration to provide the people transportation facility. The help of Pakistan Army would be sought in this regard, he added.

Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has been tasked to remove debris of landslide under the technical supervision of NESPAK,Kaira said adding that the debris material is being cut from the upper side of the dam wall of the artificial lake .

He said there is no delay on the part of FWO and it is doing a good job.

The machinery has been deployed keeping in view the capacity of the area.

The Governor said that work for release of collected water is being carried out in consultation with engineers and technical experts.He said that the best available options are employed to cope with the situation, in consultation with the experts.

The Governor GB said that the National Disaster Management Authority had installed the siren system in parts of area located downstream of the lake.

He said that blasting cannot be carried out by the FWO staff working on the lake as it can trigger further land sliding.He said that an evacuation plan for the people downstream is ready and work would start on it very soon.

Appreciating the efforts of GB administration, FCNA, NDMA, local NGOs, volunteers, the minister said that collective effort is the key to early resolution of the issue.

The federal minister said that  engineers of the World Bank have also been invited for inspection of the site and expert opinion. He said the work on release of water was being done in the light of their advice.

The Governor thanked the Chinese government for opening up of border in off season and said 90 tons of goods were transported for the area.  He said that there was no dearth of food in tehsil Gojal and health facilities are also being enhanced.

He said that the ten-bed hospital in Gojal is being equipped with facilities required for operations and it would be commissioned with regular medical camps once a week in the area to facilitate the people.  He said that high school in the area is being upgraded to higher secondary level so that students could get education at intermediate level.

Replying to a question he said that in the larger interest of the country, the policy of reconciliation is being followed.He said that the PPP has entered into coalition with political parties in the provinces which are in opposition at Centre. Even in Sindh,the enjoyed complete majority but formed a coalition government including other parties, he said.