President promises shelter before winter
Says no stone to be left unturned to mitigate quake victims sufferings

BALAKOT—President General Pervez Musharraf Wednesday assured that relief aid arriving from around the world would definitely flow into the quake-stricken areas, adding that the the Government is striving for earliest procurement of tents to shield affected people from harsh winter. “Whatever aid is reaching is for you, plus the Government is putting into use all national resources to mitigate your sufferings,” he told quake-afflicted people in northern parts of North Western Frontier Province. Meeting the affected people of Balakot, one of the worst-hit places in the October 8 earthquake, the President vowed to overcome the current shortage of tents.
He said efforts are underway to provide shelter to all people rendered homeless in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, that has claimed over 42,000 lives in an area sprawling over 20,000 square km. “We are getting tents from around the world and I am sure they will be supplied in large numbers within a couple of weeks,” said the President, who stayed overnight at Muzaffarabad, the severely damaged capital of adjoining Azad Jammu and Kashmir. President Musharraf said he has been deeply pained to learn about the “monumental loss” wrought by the temblor in NWFP’s mountainous town. “I am deeply grieved to learn about the loss of lives and the scale of damage in Balakot; the loss is monumental,” he said in a brief address to the affected people and also prayed for everlasting peace for the departed souls.
Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Governor NWFP Commander Khalil ur Rehman, Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Hamid Khan and senior military officers, overseeing relief operations, accompanied the President during visits to quake-afflicted areas of the North Western Frontier Province. On accessing the stranded people in the remaining few cut-off areas, he said Pakistan Army has fanned out across the devastated mountainous regions to reach the affected in remote areas and provide them relief goods and medical treatment. “We are doing our best to access all areas and animal transport regiment of Pakistan Army has been moved to ferry relief goods to the people through difficult routes,” he said referring to the Army’s 20 nodal points, established at every 5 to 10 km in the damaged region. Visiting a camp, President Musharraf met with children affectionately and said the Government would do everything for carving out a bright future for them.
The President encouraged men and women to remain steadfast in the face of the natural calamity and held out a firm assurance of making all-out efforts for early redress of their suffering. An old man thanked the President for visiting them and said his visit has lifted their spirits. President Musharraf comforted the old man and said he considers it his foremost duty to alleviate their sufferings. “The Government is with you, I shall stand by you in your hour of trial and difficulty,” he said. The President also visited a field hospital set up by the United Arab Emirates since October 10 in Balakot. He enquired the victims under treatment at the field hospital about their recovery. President Musharraf thanked the UAE Government for extending medical and relief assistance to Pakistan in the critical hour.
On an elderly man’s complaint of instances of looting relief assistance by some elements, the President said the Government would ensure that such incidents do not recur. However, the President said local governments and all segments of the society should pro-actively lend their support to the Government in stopping any such untoward happening. The Government, he said, has taken a strong exception to reports that goods-laden trucks are returning without delivering relief assistance. “We will not allow that to happen; no truck will be allowed to return without offloading relief goods,” he said. President Musharraf said the Government has established an Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority to accomplish the colossal task of rebuilding destroyed structures and lives. “We will endeavour to build fire-proof and quake-proof houses, we will also build schools, colleges and hospitals on modern lines to improve the lives of the affected people”.
He said relief activities have been stepped up and assistance is now reaching the people in the previously cut-off areas. However, the President asked the people to be steadfast and show patience as aid will come to them definitely while the reconstruction stage would take years to complete. Replying to a question, the President appreciated that volunteers and private organizations are contributing badly-needed tents but renewed his call for coordinating all efforts with 45 round-the-clock operative points of Pakistan Army to ensure earliest supplies at the places, requiring assistance. The President was briefed about rescue and relief efforts at the regional army headquarter. President Musharraf also visited Battgram and addressing the people expressed heartfelt grief and sorrow over heavy losses of lives and property. The Government, he said, is utilizing all national resources to alleviate the difficulties facing quake-affected people in cold weather and pledged to provide shelter to all. Addressing the troops engaged in relief operations at Battgram, the President appreciated their round-the-clock services.
“You should reach the people in the far-flung areas even if you have to walk on foot and at the cost of your comfort,” he said, lauding their unstinted efforts. President Musharraf also addressed Peshawar Corps troops and praised their spirit to provide relief to the affected people in difficult areas. “I am confident that you will keep up your glorious traditions and rise to the challenge of mammoth proportions,” he said. Later, the President flew back to Islamabad capital after a two-day visit, during which he visited quake-damaged areas of NWFP and Azad Kashmir to assess relief operations.—APP