Muzaffarabad: A high level meeting chaired by Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan here on Tuesday approved State Disaster Risk Management and District Disaster Risk Management Plan.
During the meeting a committee headed by Chief Secretary has also been constituted to seek necessary amendments in the ordinance regarding regularization of Rescue 1122 employees.
Speaking on the occasion, the AJK premier said that since AJK was one amongst most earthquake prone areas, the need for establishing SDRM in such areas to overcome natural disasters has become more important. He said that all out efforts would be made to fulfill basic requirements of the SDRM besides making it strong and a pro-active institution. Referring to present situation on LoC, he said Rescue 1122 services were vital in the forward areas along the line of control, where civilian population was being deliberately targeted by Indian forces.
He said that SDRM in collaboration with other state institutions should take appropriate measures to stop illegal construction of buildings being made against the seismic building codes. He said that stern action should be taken against those flouting the building codes.
He said that it was quite unfortunate that houses were being built in highly vulnerable hangover areas adjacent to rivers and streams, which he said could prove highly disastrous in case the area was hit by earthquake or floods. He said that since Neelum Jehlum power project was in its final phase people have started allotment of land near rivers and streams. The AJK premier issued special directives to DC Muzaffarabad to impose sanctions on the allotment of plots and construction work near rivers and streams.
The PM on the occasion also issued directives to concerned departments that steps should be taken to demolish all the buildings in earthquake hit areas, which have been declared as dangerous. He stressed the need for constructing earthquake proof buildings to avert any kind of human loss during natural catastrophe.
Of those who attended the meeting included Senior Minister Ch. Tariq Farooq, Barrister Iftikhar Gilani, Mir Akbarm Noureen Arif, Ch. M Aziz, Nasir Hussain Dar and others. Whereas, chief secretary AJK Dr. Ejaz Muni
