MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said Pakistan had decided to set up five relief camps along the Line of Control (LoC) to provide assistance to quake victims in occupied Kashmir.
Talking to newsmen here, after visiting the quake-affected areas of Muzaffarabad, with Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the prime minister said that crossing would be allowed at five points across the LoC to provide a chance for two-way movement of Kashmiris of the divided families to console each other.
These five points across the LoC will be Nauseri-Tithwal, Chakoti-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapani-Poonch.
He said: “Pakistan is setting up five relief camps at these five crossings where medical and other help and assistance will be available for the Kashmiris living in the occupied Kashmir.” Food, medical assistance and other relief would be made available to Kashmiris.
Pakistan and India after talks agreed that because of damage to roads at these points, crossing across the line would be permitted on foot.
They also agreed on operationalization of the arrangements to open these points for crossing of families of the divided Kashmir by Nov 7 as a humanitarian measure.
These points are being opened as follow-up of President General Pervez Musharraf’s proposal to open the Line of Control to allow two-way movement by Kashmiris after the Oct 8 earthquake.
In reply to a question, the prime minister appreciated the help and assistance being provided by the world for relief and rehabilitation work. He said Pakistan was organizing a world donors conference on Nov 19.
He appreciated the help and contribution of 500 million riyals from the Saudi government, besides individual assistance from many Saudi philanthropists and businessmen like Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.
The premier said the Pakistan army did a wonderful job in helping the earthquake victims and evacuated thousands from damaged buildings.
Earlier, during a briefing in Muzaffarabad, Mr Aziz was informed that electricity and water supply in the city had been fully restored while work for supplying items of basic needs to remote areas was in full swing.
He was informed that due to damage to roads, it was difficult to reach the affected areas in the mountains, but the army, with the help and assistance from many countries and NGOs, was providing help to victims in all areas.
The prime minister was informed that communication infrastructure was being improved.
He was informed that there were 43,000 causalities in Bagh, Rawalkot and Muzaffarabad areas and this number could increase.—APP
MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said Pakistan had decided to set up five relief camps along the Line of Control (LoC) to provide assistance to quake victims in occupied Kashmir.
They also agreed on operationalization of the arrangements to open these points for crossing of families of the divided Kashmir by Nov 7 as a humanitarian measure.
