NWFP CM calls for joint relief work
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—NWFP Chief Minister, Akram Khan Durrani Tuesday said that relief operation in the quake hit areas is in full swing with mutual coordination between provincial government, centre and Pak Army.
Talking to newsmen after assembly session, the Chief Minister said that President Pervez Musharraf has directed for distribution of relief goods on fifty fifty basis in NWFP and Azad Kashmir and all the concerned departments involved in the relief operations are operating with mutual coordination.
He said due to timely and effective measures taken by federal and provincial governments and Pak-Army, the rehabilitation of earthquake affected people is now in control.
The Chief Minister said that he has declared the affected districts of the province as `Calamity hit' areas so that maximum relief activities could be diverted there.
The provincial government, he said, has given unprecedented powers to DCOs in quake hit districts and deposited millions of rupees in their account for distribution among the affected people.
The federal government, he said, had earlier provided Rs. 500 million to NWFP and has promised for release of additional amount of Rs. One billion.
The Chief Minister thanked President Pervez Musharraf for extending maximum funds to NWFP to help and rehabilitate the quake hit people.
In response to a question the Chief Minister said if required government would shift MPA's development fund to relief activities. We are ready to utilize all resources for the rehabilitation of affected peoples, he added.
Regarding removal of debris of collapsed houses, the Chief Minister said committees would be constituted comprising concerned MPAs, Districts and UC Nazim for this purpose so that the valuables recovered could be saved from being stolen.
He said the government has decided to provide ready made 6000 houses to the homeless people of quake. These houses, he continued, would be constructed on state land. In this regard, he said, a number of organizations have assured him of providing ready made houses.
Earlier, the Chief Minister termed the agreement signed between Wapda and the provincial government over net hydel profit as a success of the MMA government.
He said according to government's calculation, Wapda has to pay Rs. 225 billion to NWFP.