Quake toll touches 55,000, says Sherpao
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—The death toll from the October 8 massive earthquake has increased to 55,000 and is likely to rise, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said here Friday.
He was chief guest at Graduation Ceremony of Afghan Police Officers of 2nd Batch held in National Police Academy. Talking to reporters he said 78,000 people were injured in the earthquake that ravaged an area spreading over 21,000 square kilometre, leaving millions homeless.
“5,000 earthquake refugees have been settled down in tent villages and other places in Islamabad, over 10,000 injured are under treatment in different hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, he said. The minister said in the wake of October 8 earthquake, 55countries had provided aid to Pakistan for quake-victims.
He expressed thanks to NATO forces for extending their helpin relief and rehabilitation efforts. Replying to a question he said the NATO forces will return after the rehabilitation work.
Sherpao said tents are a priority item to provide shelter to all quake affected people before extreme winter sets in, he said. “The government is striving to shelter quake survivors intent villages, but many people are not ready to leave their areas.” he said.
Sherpao said every effort was being made to bridge the gap between demand and supply of tents. The Minister said that relief operations were continuing in full swing in the affected areas.