Centre asked to cut arm purchases for quake rebuilding
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—NWFP senior minister Siraj ul Haq has urged federal government to suspend arms purchases for one year and spend the mount under this head for rehabilitation of quake affectees. He said this while addressing a press conference here Tuesday after attending a jirga.
He held that ever greatest tragedy that has overtaken the subcontinent has come in the form of earthquake. This tragedy has shaken terribly every body in the world including Pakistan. 16000 square acre area of NWFP and 44 percent population has been affected in the quake.
Giving details of the devastation caused by the quake he said that cities and villages have been razed to ground. It has caused loss to public and private property worth Rs 60 billions.
Schools are nowhere in the quake ravaged areas. There are no such tents available, which could control temperature, he added. He underlined that the resources of NWFP are meager. “ We had immediately provided Rs 250 million from national exchequer for relief and rehabilitation work in the quake hit areas”, he told.
NWFP can not bear this enormous burden without the cooperation of federal government, he said. President Musharraf had decided to provide 40 percent funds to NWFP and 60 percent to AJK in the first phase. “We however demanded for half of the share of relief aid”, he informed. Tents and blankets have not been provided in several quake hit areas so for, he indicated.
He was of the view that the efforts being made collectively are inadequate. If the relief situation remains the same, people will not be able to get something even in the three years. This is a crucial test for the federal government.
Citing to donors conference, he said that all eyes are set on this conference. The amount allocated for arms purchase be spent on relief efforts for one year, he demanded.
He underscored that army is trained for battle, not for welfare. “ It is my proposal that councilor, Nazim and members of parliament be associated with consultation process at every level so that they could join relief efforts.
He stressed that the time is for unity and harmony.