ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and directed to take all necessary relief measures as heavy rains lashed across country.

He asked Authority to assess damages to life and properties caused by rains and improve coordination with provincial disaster management departments and disaster management authorities of AJK and Gilgit Baltistan. He instructed NDMA to ensure swift restoration of highways and roads damaged by rains or landslides. He called for providing all possible healthcare facilities in rain-affected areas, besides ensuring supply of relief items including medicines and other commodities. He expressed deep grief over deaths caused by heavy monsoon rains and consequent floods. He prayed to Allah Almighty for peace for departed souls and sympathised with bereaved families. He instructed to extend all possible medical treatment to those injured in rain-related incidents. Meanwhile, Provincial Disaster Management Authority said that at least six people, including one child and five women, lost their lives and six others sustained injuries due to heavy rains in Punjab over past 24 hours.