5 relief centres set up at LoC after accord
Prince Walid offers generous relief aid
Bureau Report

MUZAFARRABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday said Pakistan has decided to set up five relief camps along the Line of Control to provide help and assistance to the earthquake affected people of Occupied Kashmir.
Talking to newsmen here after visiting the earthquake affected areas of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir along with Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the Prime Minister said crossing at five points across the LoC will be allowed to provide a chance for two-way movement of Kashmiris of divided families to console each other. These five crossing points across the LoC will be Nauseri-Tithwal, Chakoti-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalkot-Poonch and Tattapani-Poonch. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said, “Pakistan is setting up five relief camps at these five crossings where medical and other help and assistance will be available for the Kashmiris living in the OccupiedKashmir”.
The Prime Minister said food, medical assistance and other relief would be available in these five camps across the LoC for the help of those victims of October 8 earthquake who are living in the Occupied Kashmir. He said divided Kashmiri families would be allowed to meet each other from these points to share their grieve and sorrow. Pakistan and India, after yesterdays’ talks agreed that because of non-availability of roads due to damage to infrastructure on these points, crossing across the line would be permitted on foot. They also agreed on operationalization of the arrangements to open these points for crossing of families of divided Kashmir by November 7 as a humanitarian measure.
These points are being opened as follow-up of the President General Pervez Musharraf’s proposal to open the Line of Control to allow two-way movement by Kashmiris after October 8 earthquake. Replying to a question the Prime Minister appreciated the help and assistance being provided by the world for relief and rehabilitation work. He said Pakistan is organising world donors conference on November 19.
He also appreciated the help and contribution of Riyal 500 million from the Saudi government besides individual assistance from many Saudi philanthropists and businessmen like Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. The Prime Minister said Pakistan Army did a wonderful job in helping the earthquake victims and evacuated thousands from the damaged buildings.
Earlier, during the briefing at Muzaffarabad, the Prime Minister Aziz was informed that electricity and water supply in the city have been fully restored while work for reviving these basic needs in the remote areas is in full swing. He was informed that due to damage to the roads, it was very difficult to reach to the affected areas in the mountains but Pakistan Army with the help and assistance from many countries and NGOs providing help to the victims to each and every corner. The Prime Minister was informed that communication infrastructure is being improved.
He was informed there was 43,000 causalities in Bagh, Rawalkot and Muzaffarabad areas and this number could still increase. The Prime Minister was informed that helicopters, mules and other possible ways are being used to access the inaccessible damaged areas. More than 48,000 persons were evacuated by Pakistan Army from various damaged areas of Azad Kashmir while helicopters have so far mad more than 1300 sorties in these areas to drop food, tents, blankets and other relief goods.
All the major roads have been re-opened in the ares while work is in full swing to re-open link roads. The Prime Minister was informed that access has been gained to almost each and every one in the affected areas through different means and life in Muzaffarabad city is returning to normal. He was informed that efforts are being made to re-open schools in the damaged areas after Eid ul Fitr.