‘Volunteers, NGOs urged to join hands with govt in relief work’
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives, Jahangir Khan Tareen who is also Incharge of the Prime Minister Relief Committee for NWFP has said that all NGOS and volunteers should join hands with the government in relief work to stream lines the relief activities in the earthquake affected areas. He was talking with the volunteers and local people in Balakot on Sunday.
He said government and Army teams are working day and night to provide relief to the affectees in the quake hit areas, he said government is providing essential goods and blankets and tents to the affectees in their doorsteps with the coordination of Pakistan Army and NGOS.
The measure in connection with the rehabilitation for the victim families a number of tent villages are being created for people in affected areas. Government has decided that more tent villages would be established in various areas and near Islamabad as so many families have been shifted to Islamabad and joining areas.
Minister said the winter season has been started and people of the areas are needed blankets and warm cloths. He urged the people and NGOS that they should donate these items urgently, he also urged the business community to import tents and blankets urgently in national interest while government is also importing tents and blankets to meet the requirement. Donor agencies also be asked to arrange these items urgently, he added.
During stay in Mansehra Camp Office Minister also visited some field hospitals set-up by Pakistan army in various quake affected areas. He also held meeting with GOC of Mansehra and Balakot areas and discussed the matter regarding relief operation of the in the areas. Federal Minister Syed Ghazi Ghuylab Jamal and State Ministers Umer Ayub Khan, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, Malik Amin Aslam, Federal Minister Culture and Sports, Muhammad Ajmal Khan and Secretary Industries, Suleman Ghani were also present on the occasion.
It is pertaining to mention here that Federal Minister for Industries, has set up his Camp Office in Mansehra to monitor the relief activities and to ensure that relief goods being received from all over the country are distributed in a fair and transparent manner and the affectees in the remote areas are not overlooked.
On the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Production and Special Initiatives, Mr. Suleman Ghani has said MOIP&SI is also actively participating in the organization, coordination and supervision of the relief efforts being carried out in the Hazara region in accordance with the recent cabinet decision. Utility Stores Corporation sending 25 to 30 trucks daily to the quake affected areas of the Hazara Division, he added