November 26, 2005	Saturday	Shawwal 23, 1426

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RAWALPINDI, Nov 25: The quake survivors are pouring into the city for sheltered accommodation after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) banned further creation of tented villages in the federal capital. The city is already overwhelmed by thousands of survivors and according to the relief workers about 70 survivors are daily pouring into the city for accommodation, as in Islamabad almost all the relief camps except for the one in H-11 have wrapped out their activities. “Pindi has now become a suitable place for these displaced people,” they added.

The refugees living in tented villages in Gharibabad, Liaquat Bagh, Wilayat Colony, Lalazar, Sirajia Park and so many other camps are joined by the newcomers thus changing the public parks and other places into the refugee camps.

A group of quake survivors in Sirajia Park near Asghar Mall Chowk told this reporter that they had arrived in the city after failing to get compensation from the AJK government. Some of them were of the view that they could not rebuilt their houses with just Rs25,000 aid.

After returning disappointed from the AJK, these survivors are now demanding compensation from the city district administration. Hundreds of quake victims were seen at the district nazim’s office on Wednesday for getting financial aid and food but the authorities were doubting their identity.

However, the survivors were holding identity cards showing their respective areas. They were also complaining mistreatment at the hands of the administration.

In Gharibabad, over 200 refugees accommodated in 45 tents are still unaccompanied. They complained that they were being supervised by a local representative, who was unable to meet their daily needs though he was doing whatever he could for their well-being

They said some refugees had now started working as drivers, conductors and sanitary workers to fend for themselves.

The refugees sheltered in other places are also seeking permanent residence in the city and have refused to go back to their native villages.

Akhtar Hussain from Muzaffarabad living in Lalazar temporary shelter told this reporter that his family was not compensated for their losses, therefore, they would not return to their hometown unless the city administration gave them financial compensation.

However, most of the refugees said that they would return to their areas in March after the end of the snow season.

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