Aziz praises quake assistance: Abdullah visits Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, Oct 14: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday hailed the international and local humanitarian response to the Oct 8 earthquake which caused widespread death and destruction in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP.
“We are very pleased. This is a major tragedy which will cost us billions of dollars,” he told APP after seeing off King Abdullah II of Jordan at the PAF’s Chaklala base.
The prime minister said Pakistan was getting good support and was looking forward to even more support from its friends in rebuilding quake-affected areas.
Mr Aziz also praised the people of Pakistan for their overwhelming and compassionate response to the relief campaign.
He voiced appreciation for the assistance provided by Jordan to quake-hit victims in line with King Abdullah’s assurances on helping Pakistan in its hour of need.
On Friday evening King Abdullah held talks with President General Pervez Musharraf and Mr Aziz and also offered his condolences over the huge loss of lives in the calamity.
Mr Aziz said he discussed further promotion of political, diplomatic and economic ties with the Jordanian monarch, who was here on a brief visit.
He recalled the close and cordial relations between Pakistan and Jordan characterized by religious affinity and commonality of views on important issues.
Jordan was among a few countries that immediately responded to Pakistan’s appeal for the international assistance following the quake.
The prime minister said Jordan had sent two plane-loads of relief goods and more assistance was on the way.
Earlier in the day, Prince Rashid Bin Al Hassan of Jordan also called on the prime minister to discuss relief efforts.
Prince Rashid, the son of Prince Hasan Bin Talal and Princess Sarvath, personally escorted a mobile hospital on Oct 10. He supervised the entire process of setting up the 25-bed hospital in Rawalakot, which is manned by a support staff of over 50, including 11 doctors.
