Pakistan announces compensation for quake victims

 Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced compensation for the 38 victims of Tuesday's earthquake that struck Mirpur and Punjab districts.

According to the Prime Minister Office (PMO), Khan made the announcement on Friday during his telephonic conversation with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman Lt Gen Mohammad Afzal who called the Prime Minister, reports Dawn news.

"In pursuance of the directives of the prime minister, a financial assistance amounting to 500,000 Pakistani rupees ($3,187) has been decided to be disbursed among families of the deceased while financial assistance to the injured and loss of property would be announced in due course of time," an official press release issued by the PMO said.

The NDMA chief briefed the Prime Minister on the latest situation in Mirpur in the wake of the 5.8-magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks.

Khan further directed that the assessment of the losses be completed at the earliest to provide assistance to the affected people and restore and reconstruct communication links and services in the affected areas.

Besides, more than 500 people are being treated for injuries at different hospitals in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Tuesday's quake was so strong that it could be felt even in the northern parts of India, including capital New Delhi.

The tremors lasted eight to 10 seconds, but were felt strongly across Pakistan, including major cities of Islamabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Lahore.IANS