Opp support sought in quake rebuilding
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—National Assembly continues its debate on October 8 tragedy (earthquake) on Friday and government sought opposition’s cooperation for affectees rehabilitation.
Taking the floor, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said that opposition should participate in Parliamentary parties heads’ Committee, urging it to fully cooperate with government for affectees rehabilitation. Parliamentary Committee will work for quake-affectees rehabilitation, not for political purposes, he added. He noted that government arranged briefing on quake-affectees rehabilitation but opposition did not attend it.
Minister added that opposition also raised reservation on All Parties Conference convened by government to review post-earthquake situation. He observed that Parliament was not neglected regarding relief activities for quake-affectees and its (lower house) suggestions respecting relief work are being implemented.
PPP MNA Sherry Rehman said that government is not taking seriously the United Nations (UN’s) warning that 200,000 earthquake survivors may suffer in different diseases due to rain and hailstorm in worst-hit areas of Kashmir. She noted that international organizations are saying that that there is no transparency in relief activities in quake-hit areas but government is not taking Parliament in confidence regarding relief work.
Government should take this issue seriously, otherwise crises may create in the country, she added. Ms Rehman said that opposition parties are being stopped from continuing relief activities in affected areas. In view of post earthquake situation, government should cut short administrative expenses which are Rs 399 billion, she said. PPP legislator said that government is busy in defence purchases of $1.2 billion from Swedish government and constructing GHQ despite increase in trade deficit. Maulana Gul Nasib noted that relief goods are not reaching quake-affectees. He said that affectees need Rs 23,000 for purchasing one metallic sheet to prepare their shelter but the total amount which the government allocates for this purpose is Rs 25,000.
He asked government to increase financial assistance for affectees. PPP MNA Naheed Khan said that out of $12 billion foreign exchange reserves, government should spend Rs $6 billion for affectees rehabilitation. She observed that donations submitted by international community to help earthquake survivors are inadequate. Relief Fund should be established on people’s name rather than on the name of President, Ms Khan said.
She went on to say that President Pervez Musharraf failed to collect $1 billion aid for affectees from the world but if there were Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif on his (Musharraf) place then they succeeded to get billions of dollar aid from international community. Opposition lawmaker Razia Aziz said that death rate increased in quake-hit areas due to government’s delay in starting relief activities there. She said people representatives should be participated in relief activities in tragedy-stricken areas.
Kashmala Tariq said government is going to establish tent-village of 500 tents in Bagh for providing shelter to earthquake survivors. She said that a committee of parliamentarians should be formed to monitor relief activities. There is also need of establishing a separate ministry to cope with crises results natural disaster in future, Ms Tariq maintained. Opposition MNA Pervez Malik said earthquake of 7.6 intensity was predicted in Pakistan long time ago but government did not pay heed towards it.