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| November 16, 2005 | Wednesday | Shawwal 13, 1426 |
India and Pakistan open fifth Kashmir crossing ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (AFP) India and Pakistan on Wednesday opened the fifth and final Hajipir-Uri crossing along the Line of Control (LoC) but again allowed only humanitarian supplies to go across. Both sides exchanged relief items including blankets and rations at the crossing, which was to remain open until 1000 GMT, a Pakistani official said. Each of the five crossing points would open once a week for crossings. (Posted @ 15:42 PST)
India, Pakistan to let quake-hit Kashmiris cross LoC ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (Reuters) Kashmiris will be allowed to cross the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday to check on family living in the earthquake-ruined region, according to a Pakistani official. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told Reuters on Wednesday that the first movement of people will be across the border between Chakothi and the Indian town of Uri. Thursday's crossing will be one-way traffic, with 83 people from Occupied Kashmir allowed to make the trip to Pakistani side. But none of the 120 people from Azad Kashmir who applied to go the other way have had their names cleared by the Indian authorities. Military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan said people will be allowed to cross the other four border points later this month. "We wanted to allow the people from both sides to cross the Line of Control in the day time on a daily basis. But India has shown some administrative problems in this regard," he said.(Posted @ 21:30 PST)
India offers more relief to quake-ravaged Pakistan NEW DELHI, Nov 16 (AFP) India on Wednesday said it would send more aid material to Pakistan for millions of homeless survivors of last month's earthquake that devastated Kashmir. The Indian foreign ministry said relief material would be sent by rail on Thursday. "The train will carry relief material weighing 600 tonnes and will consist of snow tents, sleeping bags, blankets, essential medicines and medical equipment including injections such as Pethidine for pain and X-ray machines, among others," it said. "These 600 tonnes are in addition to about 300 tonnes of relief sent to Pakistan as official assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake and 400 tonnes carried by 45 trucks and handed over to Pakistani authorities so far across the LoC," the ministry said in a statement.(Posted @ 20:35 PST)
Pakistan's $1 billion airborne surveillance system deal undecided: Musharraf RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Nov 16 (Reuters) Earthquake-hit Pakistan has yet to give a final go-ahead to a $1 billion purchase of an airborne surveillance system from Swedish firms Saab and Ericsson, President Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday. The system includes Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft equipped with airborne radar from Ericsson. Saab has said important conditions remain to be settled for the contract, of which Ericsson will have a third. "We haven't decided it as yet. I need to look into it," Musharraf said in response to a journalist's question whether there would be any delay in the deal. Faced with pressures resulting from the earthquake, Musharraf said his government had to "take stock of the entire financial situation", while insisting he would not compromise on Pakistan's defence requirements because of the earthquake. (Posted @ 16:59 PST)
World assistance needed to implement post-quake reconstruction plan: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Wednesday said Pakistan has a well-placed strategy for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of quake-ravaged areas and hoped that the world would come out with "expected level of support" at the November 19 donors' conference. "I am to unveil the plan that will package all the requirements and set out fairly accurate estimates of financial assistance needed for the most crucial phase of reconstruction in November 19, donors' conference," he informed correspondents. The President hoped that besides UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, the Conference would be well attended by the representatives of donor countries and International Financial Institutions (IFI). He added that the solution to the Kashmir dispute looks "more possible" in the wake of last month's earthquake and expressed the hope that New Delhi would realize this opportunity. (Posted @ 16:07 PST)
Chancellor Schroder assures Aziz of Germany's quake support ISLAMABAD, Nov.16 (APP): Chancellor Gerhard Schroder assured Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Germany's cooperation and assistance in the post-quake reconstruction efforts in a letter released in Islamabad on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Germany announced 44 million euros in fresh assistance for the reconstruction phase after a high-ranking German delegation's meeting with the officials of the Economic Affairs Division. Dr. Rainer Goerdeler, Director General Ministry for Cooperation and International Development (BMZ) told reporters that new pledges included 34 million euros in investment financing and the remaining in technical assistance.(Posted @ 21:05 PST)
Cuban Foreign Minister meets Kasuri to assure help in quake hit areas ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Foreign Minister of Cuba Felipe Perez Roque met Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri at the Foreign Office on Wednesday. Khurshid Kasuri thanked his Cuban counterpart for the solidarity and support of Cuba with the government and people of Pakistan after the October 8 quake. Cuba sent 952 member medical contingent comprising 596 doctors, 243 paramedics and 113 back-up staff soon after the quake. The Cuban Foreign Minister stated that the government of Cuba would continue to provide assistance till it was required.(Posted @ 21:00 PST)
UN, Britain launch big Pakistan quake airlift MUZAFFARABAD, Azad Kashmir, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The United Nations and British military launched an airlift on Wednesday to move hundreds of tonnes of food and shelter to earthquake survivors high in Pakistan's mountains to ensure they survive the winter. Two Royal Air Force Chinook transport helicopters hovered low over an air strip on the outskirts of the ruined city of Muzaffarabad while a British military team on the ground hooked up nets filled with supplies. Three British Chinooks are involved in the six-day drive to haul nearly 1,000 tonnes of supplies into the mountains for communities still cut off by road The most pressing problem area is the Neelum Valley where the sole road up the steep-sided valley was swept away by landslides triggered by the quake. It is not expected to be rebuilt before the winter. Some supplies will also be dropped in the Leepa Valley, to the east of Muzaffarabad. The supplies are being dropped at about 10 landing sites,where teams already in place on the ground will unhook the nets and store and distribute the aid. The aircraft will be flying almost non-stop. "We have three refuelings a day, that's the only time the helicopters will actually land and stop. It's going to be constant motion," an aid official said. The six-day operation will not be the end of the airborne aid effort. "The helicopter support isn't going to stop.We're going to be flying all over the winter but this is a really big push into targeted areas." The U.S. military has about 15 Chinooks helping with the relief effort while the Pakistani military, the United Nations and the international Red Cross have also have aircraft flying. (Posted @ 12:13 PST)
Two airbases to be established in Muzaffarabad MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 16 (APP): About 70 tones of relief goods were transported to the earthquake hit areas through aerial and lands routes on Tuesday. Meanwhile, two airbases are being established in Muzaffarabad to gear up the relief activities in the area, an official spokesman said. The roads to Neelam from Muzaffarabad to Nouseri have been opened for light traffic while work on the restoration of Jhelam Valley road from Bus terminal to Kaman Post(OP) Bridge was underway . 5-kilometre road from Chinari towards Panda has been restored. Army personel are clearing huge land sliding in the one kilometre area on leswa bipass road in Neelam valley. To establish new tentage village sites have been identified in Kohori, Patika, Dhani and Dewlian areas of Neelam Valley .(Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Auction of English cricket team bat fetches Rs 300,000 for quake survivors MULTAN, Nov 16 (APP): A bat of the touring England cricket team put on auction at a fund-raising dinner, was sold for Rs 300,000 as officials collected overall Rs 2.8 million for the earthquake victims on Tuesday. The bat was offered for sale by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Vice Chairman Mr. Michael Soper. The opning bid was Rs 25,000.It was raised 12 times before Mr Azhar Baloch, a proprietor of a medical firm won the auction. City District Nazim, Mian Faisal Mukhtar also presented a cheque of Rs 2.5 million for President's Relief Fund, as donation from Multan citizens and s philanthropists. PCB Chairman Sheheryar Khan and Test players were also present on the occasion.(Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Some 700 Rangers deployed in earthquake hit areas MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Some 700 Rangers have been deployed in earthquake affected areas of Muzaffarabad and Bagh to oversee law & order situation and provide security to Foreign aid workers, Commander Task Force Rangers Punjab Col. Adil Jahan told newsmen Tuesday. He said Rangers have been deployed from Kohala to Muzaffarabad and Kohala to Bagh Urja. At check points Rangers control illegal transportation of goods and human smuggling. Answering a question about the abduction of women and children, he said Rangers received some complaints, investigated and found no truth in it. However, Col. Adil said we have intensified the vigil.(Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Time running out: Many face death with onset of forbidding Himalayan winter in Kashmir WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (APP)- A detailed report in 'The Boston Globe' Tuesday says the "Kashmir catastrophe" affects larger numbers of people than the Asian tsunami last year "in more difficult terrain." "Many face death with the onset of the forbidding Himalayan winter in Kashmir, especially children, and time is running out," the report says. With the international donors "collecting only about a quarter of its $550 million goal" in Geneva recently, it is fair to ask if the United States and others "are doing enough." "To be sure, the United States has sent badly needed military helicopters and an army field hospital, donating a total of $156 million. But this is a small sum when measured against the cost of fighting Al Qaeda worldwide, let alone the war in Iraq. The United States is unlikely to prevail by military means; a better alternative must be provided." "In Pakistan, a pivotal Muslim nation, the United States cannot afford to fall short. The Kashmir catastrophe affects larger numbers of people than the Asian tsunami last year in more difficult terrain. Many face death with the onset of the forbidding Himalayan winter in Kashmir, especially children, and time is running out. "To address this tragedy and other human needs, reconsideration of America's international spending priorities finally must be at the center of any serious debate."(Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Kashmiris trudge down from peaks as snow threatens BALAKOT, Pakistan , Nov 16 (Reuters) - A clear warning of the second calamity facing quake-stricken Kashmiris is etched into the face of thousands of people perched atop the snow-clad mountains where snowfall has heralded advent of severe winter. They are leaving their ruined homes to the oncoming snows, herding their precious livestock to lower ground, afraid the animals or they might perish without proper shelter. More than 3,000 survivors have descended to Balakot in the past five days, Major Shahid Javed, a Pakistan army coordinator of relief efforts there, told Reuters. Most passed through toward Mansehra and some seemed more concerned for their animals than for themselves. "The culture is so that a man wants one tent for the livestock and the next tent for them," said Colonel Saeed Iqbal, in overall charge of relief for the Balakot area. For the hundreds that make the descent, many more remain among the ruins of their homes among the clouds, unable or unwilling to make the journey, leaving aid agencies warning that people could freeze to death in a second catastrophe. With winter just weeks away, around 3 million people, mostly in Azad Kashmir, are estimated to have been affected by the quake, including about 500,000 absolutely homeless.(Posted @ 09:40 PST)
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