Opposition’s suggestion for joint relief body rejected
By Uzma Zafar

ISLAMABAD—President Pakistan Muslim League and former Prime Minister, Ch. Shujaat Hussain urged the opposition to join hands with the government and take part in relief efforts and rehabilitation of earthquake-victims. During the session of National Assembly he said the government would always welcome the opposition’s contribution as well as suggestions for the rehabilitation of quake-ravaged areas and victims. Replying a question of Shah Mehmood Qureshi, he said that the government and Army Jawans were making untiring efforts round the clock to reach those areas where relief goods had not yet provided. The House also offered fateha for the quake-victims.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Sher Afgan Tuesday rejected opposition’s proposal of converting the whole National Assembly into a committee in order to brief the members about relief efforts in earthquake areas. Responding to a proposal moved by MNAs Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed and Mehmood Achakzai that the entire House should be converted into a committee under article 225b to brief the members about relief operation being carried out in quake-hit areas. Dr. Sher Afgan said there is no need for constitution of such committee as the relief operation is being carried out satisfactorily. He said crisis management centres have been set up for relief of affected people. The Minister said armed forces, civil institutions and volunteers are carrying out relief activities. The arrangements have been made to brief members and other people about the relief efforts, he added. He said demand for constitution of committee is just number scoring.
Minister of State for Finance, Omar Ayub Khan Tuesday informed the National Assembly that relief efforts are under way for the rehabilitation of affected people of earthquake-hit areas. Speaking on a point of order, he said the Armed Forces and volunteers responded swiftly and started relief efforts after the earthquake. He said that various field hospitals have been established for the treatment of injured in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Balakot and adjoining areas. The teams of doctors are carrying out operations in bid to save lives while patients having serious injuries are being shifted to Federal Capital and other areas, he added.
He said the food supplies are adequate and there is only shortage of tentage. The Minister, however informed that so far more than 30,000 tents have been distributed among the affected people. He said that bodies have been buried in Batagram and surrounding areas. Omar Ayub said he and other member of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Committee including Federal Ministers Jehangir Khan Tareen, G.G. Jamal and Malik Amin Aslam remained in the quake-hit area and participated in relief efforts for eight days. He said Armed Forces played an important role in restoring communication links and re-opening of roads. MNAs, Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan, Naveed Qamar, Sahabzada Fazal Karim claimed that relief operation was not launched timely. They also claimed that relief goods were not being distributed among the affected people in a proper manner.