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Govt to provide a new home in place of each home razed in earthquake: Musharraf

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ISLAMABAD, October 13 (Online): National Security Council (NSC) has approved a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of earthquake victims in affected areas under which the federal government will provide assistance of Rs 2 billion to AJK government and Rs one billion to NWFP government.

The NSC met here Wednesday in its secretariat under President General Pervez Musharraf. Besides Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, chairman senate Mohammedmian Soomro, speaker national assembly, Chaudhry Amir Hussain, chief ministers of NWFP, Balochistan and Sindh, forces chiefs and chairman Joint Chiefs of staff committee participated in the meeting.

AJK President, Sardar Anwar and Prime Minister Sardar Sikanadar Hayat, four governors, vice chief of army staff and flood relief commissioner attended the meeting on special invitation.

NWFP chief minister Akram Khan Durrani participated in the meeting for the first time.

Addressing the meeting, the president said October, 8 tragedy was a catastrophe and we have to work jointly to face this situation. " We should help our earthquake stricken brothers by setting aside all our political and other differences. They have been rendered shelterless and their near and dear ones are no more in the world, he added.

It is a good omen that the whole nation has united in the hour of grief and crisis and is assisting their brethren marooned in the earthquake hit areas wholeheartedly, he underlined.

He maintained that international community immediately responded to our call and many precious lives were saved with their assistance.

He called for formulating a solid and workable policy to face such calamities as the loss caused by this earthquake is colossal. " I have visited Muzaffarabad, Rawlakot, Bagh, Abbottabad, Mansehra and Balakot. Million of people have been left homeless. Over 23 thousand people have been killed and over 50 thousand injured there", he added.

Government is focusing fully on the rehabilitation of these people, he noted. Two division army is engaged in relief operations in the affected areas, he added. The relief goods being dispatched by Pakistanis are also being distributed among affectees, he told. Helicopters are also being used in this connection, he added. Several countries including US have sent helicopters and they are assisting in relief operation, he indicated.

President directed the respective departments to complete rehabilitation work on top priority basis and provide the best healthcare facilities to the injured. Provincial governments should play their role in this regard, he stressed.

President announced assistance of one billion rupees for NWFP and two billion rupees for AJK. Rs 500 million have already been released to NWFP government. One billion rupees will be in addition to them.

Federal government will construct and provide a new house in place of razed house in NWFP and AJK, he told. New cities will also be constructed and federal government will extend all resources, he announced.

Welcoming the aid from donor agencies , President said we will seek their cooperation in rehabilitation process.

President was told that former US president Bill Clinton company has offered to construct ten houses in a day, therefore, this company should be contacted.

President directed the concerned departments to assess the overall loss, ensure burial of those killed in line with Islamic norms besides providing immediate medical aid to the injured people.

The meeting was informed that Pakistani nation and foreign institutions have deposited eatables, tents, blankets and other goods in large quantity and management problem has arisen. The transportation of these goods is being ensured and services of transporters have been hired.

Meeting was told that Pakistani expatriates have also contributed generously to the assistance of affectees.

President directed the concerned quarters to work out mid term and long term plans for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of affected areas. Every one be compensated according to one share of loss, he added.

End.