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| November 9, 2005 | Wednesday | Shawwal 6, 1426 |
President praises army for relief activities
RAWALPINDI, Nov 8: President Pervez Musharraf has praised Pakistan Army troops engaged in round-the-clock relief work in quake-hit areas of the NWFP and Azad Kashmir for the last one month.
He was presiding over 93rd Corps Commanders Conference at the general headquarters here on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Vice Chief of the Army Staff General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, corps commanders and principal staff officers.
The president said it was the biggest catastrophe and the nation was facing it with fortitude and determination.
He appreciated what he called the prompt response of the army in reaching out to the marooned people and carrying out relief and rescue work despite criticism from certain quarters.
He commended the selflessness and dedication of all ranks who remained engaged in relief work even during the Eid holidays. He said that officers, men, engineers, doctors and aviation pilots of the Pakistan Army who were committed to providing relief to quake victims deserved appreciation.
The president exhorted all ranks to continue their good work with the same zeal.
“Good coordination in relief work has been appreciated the world over, which is reflective of the professionalism and devotion to duty of all ranks of Pakistan Army,” he said.
Talking about converting challenges into opportunities, he said an outline plan for reconstruction and rehabilitation that would bring a major change and improve the life of the affected people was under preparation.
He instructed the corps commanders to render all necessary assistance to the governments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the NWFP in quick disbursement of compensation.
Disbursement of Rs20 billion in affected areas would not only alleviate sufferings of the people but also generate a lot of economic activity and usher in an era of prosperity, he added.
Later, Chairman Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority Lieutenant General Muhammad Zubair and Feder