Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities concerned to expedite the rescue operations in rain and flood-affected areas across the country.

According to Radio Pakistan, in a statement on Wednesday, he directed to accelerate rehabilitation work on highways, especially the Karakoram Highway and Naran-Babusar-Chilas Highway, which have been closed due to landslides. The Prime Minister instructed the Chief Secretary of Gilgit Baltistan that passengers stranded due to the closure of highways should be provided with all possible facilities, including accommodation and food.

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that measures to prevent epidemics in flood-affected areas are indispensable. He also advised all line departments, including the National Disaster Management Authority, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, and disaster management agencies of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to jointly formulate a course of action for the upcoming monsoon spells.

Additionally, the Prime Minister directed municipal corporations to take the best measures for drainage and sewage to prevent urban flooding. Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of life and property due to rains and floods in the country and prayed for the highest ranks of those who lost their lives in accidents and floods.