MMA opposes Israeli quake aid

ISLAMABAD—Opposing assistance from Israel for quake victims, the MMA leader Saturday appealed for immediate supply of blankets; tents and warm clothes to provide them shelter from cold.
Addressing a press conference after a visit to quake devastated areas along with Kashmir committee, Liaquat Baloch, Deputy Secretary of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, said that three districts of AJK had been destroyed 80%, and 100% government buildings had been collapsed. The survivors were in state of shock, as approximately, 50 to 70 thousand people had so far confirmed died in AJK, he said.
The MMA leader said that the government had sustained a loss of $10 billion. Bridges, roads and all other kind of infrastructure had been destroyed. More or less 32 NGOs had been engaged in rescue work, while teams of Turkey, China, Iran and Britain were helping the affectees, he added.
He said the people of Kashmir and its leadership appreciated the enthusiasm and sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan in this hour of need. They felt that Kashmir was the part parcel of Pakistan, he said. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to cope the disastrous crisis. Army could not mange such a massive devastation alone, he observed.—INP