Rehabilitation needed on urgent basis: President

ISLAMABAD—Minister for International Development of Norway, Erik Solheim, who arrived has arrived here, called on President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday and conveyed condolences of the people and Government of Norway to the President and people of Pakistan on the great loss of life and property as a result of the massive earthquake.
President Pervez Musharraf briefed Erik Solheim of the rescue and relief efforts and on the urgent need for rehabilitation and reconstruction. The president emphasized the urgency of continuing the relief supplies in the days ahead to the affected areas to alleviate the sufferings of the people affected by the earthquake.
Those living in inaccessible mountainous dwellings were being asked to come down, he said. He said that money was also being distributed and committees had been constituted for this purpose.
The president said that Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority was assessing the damages and compiling data. Efforts were being made to rehabilitate the children, destitute women and those handicapped and to also examine ways and means of subsequently generating work and income for the people in the affected areas.
The Norwegian Minister for International Development Solheim said that relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction were gigantic tasks and Norway supported Pakistan’s efforts. He said that on his return, he would apprise the Pakistan-Norwegian Community of the situation. Pakistan-India relations were also discussed during the course of the meeting and the president informed Solheim that Pakistan and India were scheduled to hold talks on a two-way movement of Kashmiris across the Line of Control when an Indian delegation visits here later this week.
During his stay in Pakistan, Norwegian Minister will visit some of the earthquake-affected areas and a field Hospital and meet with other Norwegian NGO’s engaged in humanitarian relief efforts in Muzaffarabad on today (Thursday). The Norwegian Minister for International Development Mr. Erik Solheim is on a two-day visit to Pakistan.—INP