Faisal claims of distributing Rs2.55b among quake survivors
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat has said that Rs 2.55 billion compensation has already been distributed among the quake affected people of Azad Kashmir.
He said about Rs 260 million daily was beingpaid to the victims as compensation. The process would gradually be accelerated and Rs 350 million would be distributed among them fromthe next week.
Rs 450 million compensation would be paid daily to thesurvivors in Azad Kashmir by the end of current month. 24 percent victims have been paid compensation, he added.
Furthermore an amount of Rs 1550 million has already beendistributed among the owners of damaged houses at the rate of Rs 25000 each. Owners of 26 percent houses have already received compensation.
About 0.25 million houses were devastated as a result of quake. Most of the people have started rebuilding their houses after receiving the compensation.
Life was gradually returning to normal in the devastatedareas, he said and added that 500 schools, 70 colleges have been re- opened in Azad Kashmir after repairing. While 30 tent schools havealso started the routine functioning.
Daily, 160 sorties are being conducted for ensuring delivery of relief goods to the survivors.Seven points in Azad Kashmir have been set up for storing food supply of seven days for Azad Kashmirand NWFP.
Apart from the list of casualties and injured ones, a separatelist of the missing persons has also been maintained. According to which there are 8,000 to 10,000 missing persons. Some may have gone to their relatives after the catastrophe.
They are gradually coming back in the homes. The final list of casualties and injured would be available within 20 days, he said.
For survivors rendered homeless as a result of killer quakeabout 500,000 tents were required. Out of which 425,000 have already been distributed among the survivors.
Replying to a question he said that the purpose for opening of five points along with the LoC was to enable divided Kashmiri families to help their brethren in need.
Pakistani authorities were processing the applications of IHKpeople within 48 hours. While India was spending more time inclearing the applications.
Special officers have been deputed to facilitate the IHK people for helping locate their relatives.
Replying to another question about November 19 Donors conference he said about $ 2 billion have already been committed by the international community. The remaining targets would hopefully be achieved, he added.
Visits of delegates would be arranged in the devastated areas. After seeing the magnitude of disaster with their own eyes it is expected that a new surge in the relief activities would be witnessed, he maintained.