LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday distributed compensation cheques of Rs 5.7 million among the 10 victim families of the Mianwali van accident that claimed the lives of 19 innocent boys and girls on Saturday.

The chief minister visited Dera Gangeeranwala, a suburban village of Mianwali, to console the heirs of the deceased students. Expressing his profound grief and sorrow over the tragic incident and sympathies with the bereaved families, the chief minister assured them that the PML-N government would make every effort to support and facilitate the affected families.

He also offered Fateha for the departed souls and consoled the bereaved families. The chief minister also ordered the construction of a 50-km-long dual carriage way from Harnoli village to Musakhel area of the district.

He said the government had evolved a comprehensive strategy to bring the Mianwali district at par with the developed cities of the province.On the demand of the Mianwali's MNAs and MPAs, he promised that the proposal of a cadet college in the district would be considered in a proper manner. The chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to conduct a survey to assess the damages caused by the recent rains in the district so that the affected people could be compensated.

MNA Umair Hayat Khan Rokhri, MPA Ali Haider Noor Khan Niazi, ex-MNA Inamullah Khan Niazi, former provincial minister Gul Hameed Khan Rokhri, Malik Ghulam Shabbir Joya and Mianwali District Nazim Haji Ubaidullah Shadikhel were also present on the occasion.