ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: An ‘Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra)’ has been established to rebuild infrastructure in the quake-affected areas. Lt-Gen Muhammad Zubair, engineer-in-chief of Pakistan Army, has been appointed chairman of Erra.

Erra will undertake work to rebuild roads, bridges, houses, government buildings, schools and private buildings in areas devastated by the Oct 8 quake. The establishment of the authority is part of an initiative taken by President General Pervez Musharraf for reconstruction of the affected areas.

The initiative will ensure execution of a reconstruction plan on a fast-track basis so that those affected by the calamity can be rehabilitated at the earliest.

President Musharraf will be releasing details of the reconstruction initiative in the next few days. Many countries have assured Pakistan of their participation in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process.