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on the record:

Government should investigate delay in aid delivery

MUZAFFARABAD: The government should investigate the alleged delayed delivery of assistance to the earthquake victims, said Imran Khan, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf chairman. Imran told reporters that the timely delivery of relief goods was a matter of life and death for millions of people it must be determined why the government failed to attend the earthquake victims for three days even though ordinary people and volunteers had reached these areas. According to a private TV channel, Imran demanded that the government constitute a parliamentary committee, consisting of treasury and opposition members to ensure that the foreign aid and assistance was spent fairly. online

Elected representatives to be involved in rehabilitation process

PESHAWAR: The NWFP government will ensure the flow of relief activities and the process of short and long term rehabilitation in five NWFP districts devastated by the October 8 earthquake, NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said. Talking to earthquake victims at Beesian Camp in Balakot, he said the government would construct cities towns and villages where the affected people would be given earthquake-proof houses. He said the government would only involve those international companies in reconstruction and rehabilitation that would create economic activity in the affected area. He said elected representatives of the quake-hit districts would be involved in the rehabilitation process. nni

Pakistan waiting to send relief goods to Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: I have collected relief goods for the Kashmiris living in held Kashmir and those will be soon sent to the quake-hit people, Faisal Saleh Hayat, minister for Kashmir Affairs, has said. According to the BBC, the minister said, “We will also contribute in their rehabilitation.” Mr Hayat said that it was not a political statement; rather plans have already been made to send relief goods to held Kashmir. “We are waiting for the approval to cross the Line of Control,” he said, adding that they had 50 to 60 truck-loads of goods. The minister said that relief camps had already been set up for the affected people in Bagh, Rawalakot and Neelum Valley. nni

Labour Ministry striving to arrange artificial limbs

WAH CANTT: The Federal Labour and Manpower Ministry is trying to meet requirements for artificial limbs in the wake of the October 8 earthquake, Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said. Talking to reporters on Eid, he said the ministry was in touch with the Fauji Foundation and international artificial limbs agencies. The minister visited different hospitals at Taxila and Wah Cantt on Eid and inquired after the injured people. He said government hospitals were looking after the quake victims with attention and care. app

AJK government acted late after earthquake

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government did not act on timely to save the lives of the people hit by the devastating earthquake, Barrister Sultan Mahmood, the opposition leader in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, has said. Distributing cash to the quake-hit people at the State Guest House on Eid, he said besides the Army, the civil administration and government and opposition lawmakers should also be assigned roles in relief activities. Commenting on a visit by Yasin Malik, a leader from held Kashmir, to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, he said that it was a good gesture and he would also visit to held Kashmir and other countries to collect aid. He said that quake-affected areas could face difficult situation ahead of the winter season, if proper shelter was not provided to the people. online

Backward areas being developed

SANGLA HILL: The federal government is launching a programme to develop backward areas in the country, Federal Minister for Railways Mian Shahmim Haider said on Sunday. Talking to reporters at the qul ceremony of former MPA, Haji Nazir Ahmed, the minister said a record number of development projects had been completed in the country during the government of the Pakistan Muslim League. He said credit went to President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for welfare-oriented policies. He said, “We believe in positive politics.” He urged the people to donate generously for the rehabilitation of the earthquake victims. app

MMA won’t participate in APC

FAISALABAD: The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) will not participate in an all parties conference (APC) or any meeting convened by President Pervez Musharraf, according to Liaqat Baloch, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, leader. Addressing a press conference, he said that President Musharaf wanted to keep all powers with himself, that’s why the MMA decided not to participate in the APC. He said that even though the October 8 earthquake was more devastating than the tsunami, but $12 billion were collected for the tsunami and only $2 billion for the quake-victims. He accused the government of stopping the Al Khidmat Foundation from collecting foreign aid. He said religious parties took part in relief activities with devotion and provided facilities to the quake-affected people. online

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