PESHAWAR, Nov 20: Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that the international assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction of quake-hit areas is an outcome of successful foreign policy of the present government.

The $5.9 billion pledges made at the International Donors Conference were a recognition of Islamabad’s effective role in international affairs, the chief of his own faction of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP-S) said while addressing a gathering at the People’s House in Peshawar on Sunday.

On the occasion, president Awami National Party (ANP) tehsil Tangi Amanullah Khan, general secretary Abdul Hanan, deputy general secretary Bakhtullah Jan, joint secretary Mohammad Tahir and scores of their supporters announced that they were joining the PPP-S, said a press release.

Mr Sherpao said the government had rigorously sought world community’s help for rehabilitation of the affected people and successful conclusion of the conference indicated trust of the international donors in the Pakistan government, he added.

He said the pledges would help Pakistan expedite rehabilitation and reconstruction in the affected areas.

Mr Sherpao pledged that his party would fully support cause of the downtrodden classes of the society and render all possible sacrifices for them.