ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the Mirpur district of Azad Kashmir on Monday to take stock of the devastation caused by an earthquake which killed 39 people last week.

The premier inspected nearby areas prior to visiting hospitals and meeting with families of the victims. 

The earthquake, which measured 5.8 on the Richter scale, left more than 700 injured as well when it struck Azad Kashmir and other parts of Pakistan on September 24.

Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal, briefed PM Khan on the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in place.

PM Khan, for his part, directed the concerned authorities to provide financial assistance on an urgent basis to those in need, particularly to the families of those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake.

The premier was in New York to attend the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly when the disaster struck last week.