Tent villages to be set up in quake-hit areas
Foreign donations reach $360m, domestic Rs1.7b - Opposition role praised - Building laws to be
toughened, says Info Minister
By Uzma Zafar

ISLAMABAD—Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday lauded the opposition’s role in helping the earthquake victims in Azad Kashmir and North West Frontier Province.
The government looks upon the opposition’s efforts with appreciation, he told reporters while briefing them about meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
“During a crisis of this gigantic magnitude the government and the opposition are always one,” he said. Sheikh Rashid vowed that quake-resistant modern cities and towns would be built in areas destroyed in last week’s diaster.
“The government will ensure the building rules are strictly adhered to and that structures do not collapse during natural calamities,” he said.
The Minister lauded the role of the armed forces in opening up blocked roads in Azad Kashmir and other worst affected areas and said the troops were now providing help in remote mountain villages and towns.
He said the cabinet took a serious note of the fact that all the government buildings in Muzaffarabad had collapsed in the earthquake.
Replying to a question, Sheikh Rashid said all the damaged houses will be surveyed but added the government’s immediate priority at present was to open up the roads leading to Jhelum and Neelum valleys in AJK. “From the satellite photos, we are trying to pinpoint the exact damage in areas which have so far remained inaccessible,” he added.
About rumours that another earthquake was about to strike the country, he regretted such reports and urged the media to support the government in its endeavours for search and rescue operation. He said the exact assessment of the damage at present was not possible.
Sheikh Rashid said the ministers have been directed to visit the quake-stricken areas and help in the relief operations.
The government looks upon the opposition’s efforts with appreciation, he told reporters while briefing them about meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
“During a crisis of this gigantic magnitude the government and the opposition are always one,” he said. Sheikh Rashid vowed that quake-resistant modern cities and towns would be built in areas destroyed in last week’s diaster.
“The government will ensure the building rules are strictly adhered to and that structures do not collapse during natural calamities,” he said.
The Minister lauded the role of the armed forces in opening up blocked roads in Azad Kashmir and other worst affected areas and said the troops were now providing help in remote mountain villages and towns.
APP adds: A high-level meeting held here lastnight reviewed the ongoing relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts for the quake affected areas.
According to a press release issued here Thursday Federal Relief Commissioner Maj. Gen. Farooq Ahmad Khan chaired the meeting while senior civil and military officers representing logistics, corps of engineers, medical, aviation, interior, cabinet, AJK and NWFP attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that army helicopters will survey quake- hit areas today in order to assess damage and identify areas that have not been accessed so far. Local administration and army formations will coordinate these efforts. The Commissioner briefed the meeting about the areas that need immediate relief assistance. These are: forward Kahuta, Hajira, Abbas Pur, Hattian, Chakar, lower part of Neelum Valley and upper part of Jhelum Valley in the AJK. Medical supplies for surgery are needed in AJK while tents and blankets are badly needed in NWFP.
Gen. Farooq directed medical related agencies to keep up to date figures about the medical supplies’ needs, the supplies provided so far and the supplies so far utilized. Health Ministry officials were asked to coordinate with provincial health departments to identify more hospitals to accommodate rising casualties.
The meeting was informed that security personnel of police, Frontier Constabulary and Pakistan Rangers are deployed to ensure security of the relief goods despatched to quake affected areas.
Special communications Organization reported that 4,500 telephone lines in the AJK are restored while the remaining 12,000 telephones shall be restored shortly. Our of 35 digital exchanges, 29 are restored while six exchanges are left. To ensure quick communication between the agencies providing relief and rehabilitation, satellite telephones are being functional as of today throughout AJK. Similarly, telenor has offered to provide 60 mobile telephone sets for the medical and civil administration in the NWFP, In quake-hit areas of the NWFP 10,000 PTCL lines are restored out of total 17,000 damaged lines.
It was reported that Batagram Thakot part of Karakorum Highway is open for traffic, About 18 Kilometres road of Shinkiyari Jabori is also open for traffic.
Relief goods and food packs are being airdropped today in the areas that need immediate attention. These include Pattan (NWFP) and inaccessible packets in the surrounding areas of Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Neelum and Jhelum valleys in AJK. Police and formation commanders will ensure the safety of the airdropped goods. Moreover, Utility Stores corporation is supplying food packs on daily basis. On Wednesday, 8,000 food packs of 35 kilogram each were despatched to AJK and NWFP.
To provide clean drinking water, 20 water points are established in Muzaffarabad Bagh and Rawalakot that can meet the needs of 60,000 people. Moreover, ten water tanks are in operation in Muzaffarabad, while a water treatment plant shall be installed in the city within a week.
It was reported that the US has offered three mobile hospitals, while medical teams of Italy and Spain are already deployed. A large number of private hospitals have also offered their services to treat quake victims free of charge. The meeting noted with satisfaction that 62 bogies of relief goods being transported by Pakistan Railway from karachi shall be arriving tonight at Rawalpindi and Havelian. These goods shall be despatched to AJK and NWFP instantly. Cabinet division and DIG Rawalpindi will arrange the transportation to the staging areas.
The meeting appreciated generous offers from Pakistani philanthropists for 20,000 blankets and 5,000 tents from Dubai. The meeting takes place twice a day to oversee the pace of relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts. The Operation room of the commission established on Wednesday have received a number of useful suggestions regarding relief activities. The operations room of the Federal relief Commission is accessible 24 hours on toll free numbers 0800-QUAKE, 0800-00023 and Fax: 0800-00024.