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Pakistan Sets Up Federal Relief Commission, President Urges Calm

Posted on: Monday, 10 October 2005, 12:00 CDT

Text of report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency

Rawalpindi, 10 October: The government established a Federal Relief Commission on Monday [10 October] to step up coordination in the massive rescue and relief operation following Saturday's [8 October] deadly earthquake that triggered a trail of death and destruction in Azad Jammu and Kashmir [Pakistani-administered Kashmir] and Hazara division of NWFP [North West Frontier Province].

The decision was taken at a meeting presided by President General Pervez Musharraf and also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

The commission will streamline relief operation in collaboration with the provincial government, relevant ministries, non- governmental organizations, Red Crescent and other international agencies.

"The purpose of the commission is to coordinate and synergize the help and effort that is coming from NGOs, philanthropists and aid coming from foreign countries and international agencies," Press Secretary to the president Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan told newsmen.

Maj-Gen Muhammad Farooq, Chairman Prime Minister's Inspection Commission will head the commission.

President Musharraf appealed to the nation and the media to remain calm, show patience in the face of the catastrophe. He observed that rapid response of the government has rescued thousands of people trapped in difficult locations while it is also striving to recover the victims trapped under the rubble.

"All national resources, including civilian and military, have been mobilized for early recovery, relief and rehabilitation of the quake-hit people, he said.

Outlining priorities in the rescue and relief operations, he said the foremost consideration is evacuate the people still marooned under the debris and also pullout the bodies of the unfortunate victims of the tragedy.

"We have to race against time to save the lives by providing on- the-site medical assistance and also transporting them to the hospitals at the earliest."

Briefing the media about the decisions taken at he meeting, Presidential Spokesman Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan said the international community has responded urgently to President Musharraf's call for assistance and relief consignments are coming in.

He said eight helicopters from the United States have already landed while another four are due to arrive shortly from Afghanistan for supplementing rescue operations in the mountainous region.

Twenty six helicopters, drawn from Pakistan Army, the Air Force and civil departments are already operating to evacuate the people, marooned in difficult and inaccessible terrains.

Meanwhile, the meeting was informed that round-the-clock work by civilian and army engineers have made it possible within 36-48 hours to reopen blocked routes to the affected areas including Abbottabad- Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi-Bagh and Rawalpindi- Balakot roads.

The road connecting Murree with Muzaffarabad is expected to open later Monday evening.

Prompt provisions include relief items including tents, blanket items, food items for individuals and families including pulses, cooking oil, flour, tea, milk powder, sugar, water, dates and other essential eatables.

The meeting decided that medical teams should include surgeons, specialists and lady doctors from both civil and military hospitals for on-the-spot surgery and treatment in specially set up hospitals in the disaster-stricken areas.

The government has also prioritized obtaining infection control sprays from abroad and vaccinations to control epidemics. Coffin cloth will also be included in the goods.

President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz appealed to the nation to offer special prayers on Friday next for the country's safety and speedy recovery and rehabilitation of the affected. They also asked the people to pray for the departed souls and courage and fortitude for the bereaved families.

Source: BBC Monitoring South Asia

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