Donors’ response impressive: FO
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Sunday appreciate the prompt and impressive international response to the devastating earthquake in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and NWFP areas.
Spokesperson of Foreign Office Ms. Tasnim Aslam while responding to a question concerning President’s remarks about inadequacy of international assistance, clarified that President’s comments were with reference to the total requirement including reconstruction, which according to initial estimates is well above US $ 5 billion.
She said the international community responded with a sense of urgency and has shown solidarity with the people of Pakistan in this hour of trial.
The spoksperson said some foreign rescue teams along with Pakistan were first to reach the disaster hit areas and have helped save many precious lives.
She said besides governments, there has been an outpour of sympathy and support from individuals and organizations from overwhelmingly large number of countries from across the globe.
The spokesperson said President Musharraf has himself on several occasions in his statements expressed appreciation and thanks to the international community for its impressive response to the earthquake disaster in Pakistan. She said there ought to be no misreading of the deep appreciation on the part of the President and the Pakistani nation of international support and assistance received for coping with this colossal tragedy. “We are confident that this level of international commitment will continue as we enter the more challenging and difficult phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation,” she added.