PM re-assures to provide shelter to quake victims
By Uzma Zafar

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday assured that each and every victim of October 8 earthquake would be provided relief and government has decided to redouble all efforts for providing shelter to millions homeless people before biting cold sets in. Talking to newsmen here at Prime Minister House after addressing Nazims from District Mansehra, the Prime Minister said besides providing food, provision of tents and disbursement of finances for raising houses in remote areas is top consideration in face of looming cold temperatures.
Secretary General Pakistan Muslim League Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis and Secretary Information PML Senator Tariq Azeem and District Nazim Mansehra Sardar Yousaf were also present on the occasion. The Prime Minister said that both the NWFP and AJK governments have started releasing money for quick raising sheltering structures in remote areas and people living at the hills are being provided Rs. 25,000 each to repair their houses.
He said tents are also reaching Pakistan from around the world while local factories are also manufacturing them on emergency basis to meet their huge requirement. He said before the end of next month, 300,000 tents would be available for the people living in the damaged areas of AJK and NWFP. The Prime Minister said the people with small houses would purchase Corrugated Galvanised Iron (CGI) sheets and other building material to reconstruct their houses from the compensation of Rs. 25,000 being provided by the government.
Aziz said Pakistan Army, UN, World Bank and other organizations are conducting the initial estimates of losses due to October 8 and it would be finalised by November 15 and Pakistan would convey dimensions of reconstruction and rehabilitation work to the participants before the November 19 world donors conference. The Prime Minister said the main priority of the government after the October 8 earthquake was that there should be no shortage of food for the victims and added that there was food available for the victims. He said now the major issue before the government is about amputated patients, who need artificial limbs and government has decided that centers to provide artificial limbs to the people. The Prime Minister said cash compensation to the families of those who lost their lives and those who injured in the quake has been started and added it was started from Mansehra.
Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said there is no harm to accept the assistance from NATO and US as their doctors and engineers are working in the affected areas and providing help to Pakistan in this need of hour. The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s integrity and sovereignty is not so delegate that it could be damaged due to arrival of NATO other forces to Pakistan for the help in the quake affected areas. He said Pakistan government appreciates the gesture and welcome the assistance from NATO and other armed forces from many countries. Aziz said Pakistan nation is proud of its Armed forces and they are working with full dedication but in this devastated quake, there was shortage of doctors and engineers therefore, NATO and other countries are here to supplement Pakistan’s efforts.
Appreciating world response for help and assistance, the Prime Minister assistance from around the world was due to Pakistan’s good foreign policy and leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf. Earlier, addressing the nazims from Mansehra, the Prime Minister said government wanted to revive normal life in the quake affected areas with the cooperation of all the parties. The nazims delegation was led by District Nazim Mansehra Sardar Yousaf and tehsil and union council nazims from all the parties were present on this occasion. The Prime Minister announced Rs. 100 million immediate grant for emergency needs of District Mansehra.