UK to stand by quake victims, says British HC
By Saad Ahmad

RAWALPINDI—British High Commissioner to Pakistan Mark Lyall Grant has said that Britain is playing a significant role in reconstruction and rehabilitation of affectees of Oct 8 killer earthquake.
He expressed these views in a meeting with District Nazim Javed Akhlas on Thursday. He opine that UK has proved by participation in Donors Conference that Britain is with the people of Pakistan in this critical juncture. He said that on the appeal of President Musharraf, Britain would announce more financial aid at the Donors' Conference.
On the other hand, District Nazim informed the British High Commissioner regarding the steps taken by District Government and the support of Punjab Government for the affectees of killer earthquake and the tent villages and relief camps set up at various places for the down trodden affectees.
British HC congratulated the District Nazim for his appointment and lauded the Local Bodies System. He said that rescue team of Britain arrived in Pakistan for assistance of the affectees after the disastrous earthquake.
He said that seven persons were taken out alive from the rubble and took active part in relief activities. The British HC also discussed host of issues with Raja Javed Akhlas including certain reservations regarding the Local Body System by certain elements.
Raja Javed told British HC that soon immediately after the LG polls, we had to face enormous hardships due to disastrous earthquake (natural disaster) and our entire focus was shifted to the restoration and rehabilitation of the affectees. He said that in view to facilitate the affectees of earthquake, relief camps and tent villages have been established in which city government is providing all kind of assistance including food, cloth and other necessities. "Provincial and Federal Government is supporting us thick and thin", he underlined.