ISLAMABAD(National Times)- President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives due to the avalanche in Chitral. In their separate messages, they extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, praying for the elevation of ranks of the departed souls. In his message of condolence, the President directed federal, provincial, and local authorities to accelerate relief efforts in the affected areas and maintain constant communication with the public. In his message, the Prime Minister directed the relevant federal rescue and relief agencies to accelerate aid operations in cooperation with the provincial government. The Prime Minister also directed the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority to monitor the situation in the country’s mountainous regions following the heavy snowfall and to maintain close coordination with relevant agencies to tackle any potential emergencies. Nine people of a same family were killed and a child injured when an avalanche struck the in Arandu area of Lower Chitral district on Friday. According to Rescue 1122, rescue teams recovered the bodies of nine victims from the rubble that includes five men and four women.