|
| December 1, 2005 | Thursday | Shawwal 28, 1426 |
Mild intensity earthquake jolts Islamabad, Manshera PESHAWAR, Dec 1 (APP): An earthquake of mild intensity measuring 4.9 on International Richter Scale was felt in Islamabad and Manshera district Thursday night. According to Metrological Office here, the earthquake originated at 2038 hours (PST) and its epicenter was about 200 kilometer North-East of Peshawar in Hazara Division.(Posted @ 23:15 PST)
Pakistan’s international film festival dedicated to quake victims KARACHI, Dec 1 (Agencies) Organisers dedicated the fifth Kara Film Festival, Karachi’s International Film Festival 2005, to the victims of Pakistan's catastrophic earthquake ahead of the event's official opening late Thursday. Proceeds from the four top movies being shown at the festival will be donated towards relief efforts, chief organiser Hasan Zaidi said. The festival runs until December 11 and will feature 150 films from 30 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, Canada, the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Poland, Italy, Chile and Brazil. IUCN's documentary on the earthquake titled " Awaiting the Cranes Return: Disaster, Degradation and Development " has also been selected for screening at Kara on Wednesday (December 7), an IUCN-Pakistan official said. Bollywood stars Pooja Bhatt and Irfan Khan were among the actors, actresses, producers and directors who will take part in the festival, Zaidi said. The festival will also see the world premiere of Bollywood films "Pehla, Pehla Pyar (First love)" and "Dubai Return", he added. (First Posted @ 19:48 PST Updated@ 21:40 PST)
Trans-Kashmir bus service resumes after quake SRINAGAR, Occupied Kashmir, Dec 1 (AFP) India and Pakistan resumed Thursday a trans-Kashmir bus service suspended after a massive earthquake in October damaged a road running across the Line of Control (LoC), the Indian army said. "In all 16 Kashmiris (from Occupied Kashmir) and four returning (from Azad Kashmir) passengers crossed over," an Indian army spokesman said. Five Kashmiris stranded on the Azad Kashmir side also returned home, he said. The crossing took place at Kaman Post, 117 kilometers northwest of Srinagar. "The crossing marked the resumption of the stalled bus service," the spokesman added.(Posted @ 21:18 PST)
Prince Karim Aga Khan calls on President ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday appreciated the donations made by Prince Karim Aga Khan in the reconstruction of quake devastated areas. Prince Karim Aga Khan is visiting Pakistan to express solidarity with the people in the earthquake-affected areas. Regional and international matters of mutual interest including Pakistan's role in the war against terror, situation in Afghanistan, composite dialogue with India and the situation in Middle East also came under discussion.(Posted @ 21:12 PST)
Pakistan says won't extend NATO's quake mission ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (Reuters) NATO troops involved in earthquake relief efforts can go home after their mission ends in February, Pakistan said on Thursday. The western alliance sent around 1,000 medics, engineers and helicopter support crews following the Oct. 8 disaster. The mission was given an initial 90-day mandate. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said no exact date had been fixed for the withdrawal of NATO troops, but Pakistan was not seeking any extension of their stay. "Yes, we are sticking to our plans (for withdrawal)," she said. NATO's ambassador to Pakistan Carsten Fauboll met Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan and discussed plans for the withdrawal of NATO's troops. "The Foreign Secretary assured that the government of Pakistan would extend all cooperation to facilitate the NATO preparations to carry out withdrawal in accordance with the stipulated period," the foreign ministry said in a statement.(Posted @ 18:16 PST)
Tremors felt at Drosh, Chitral PESHAWAR, Dec 1 (APP): An earthquake of mild intensity measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale hit Chitral Thursday on Dec 01, 2005. According to preliminary analysis of Meteorological Station Peshawar, the earthquake originated at 1223 hours and its epicentre was about 300 kilometres north of Peshawar in the Hindukush Range. The quake was also felt at Drosh and other adjoining areas. No casualties were reported.(Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Fear, cold intensify in Pakistan quake camps MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, Dec 1 (AFP) Earthquake survivors in Pakistan said Thursday they fear for their future as a bitter winter intensifies and their life in makeshift tent camps becomes more miserable with each passing day.Almost eight weeks after the October 8 disaster devastated the region, killing 73,000 people in Pakistan, the fate of the 3.5 million who were left homeless is far from secure. Sanitation has been one of the biggest problems, despite efforts by United Nations and aid agency workers to bring order to the camps. An AFP reporter saw one latrine being shared by more than 50 people. Garbage heaps were growing at several camps, which shelter some 45,000 survivors. Most camp dwellers have hardly bathed for the last two months, as the swirling river water passing by is too cold to enter. "The hygienic situation is fairly deplorable, so I would have to say that water and sanitation is our main priority right now," United Nations Children's Fund health officer Tamur Mueenuddin said Thursday. At one relief camp run Jamaat-e-Islami, people complained of a lack of food. "We used to get meals twice a day, but for the past few days they have only given us rice in the evening," said Mohammad Yaqub, a father of eight. Camp administrator Sheikh Atiqur Rehman said they had been distributing ten thousand packs of cooked rice a day.(Posted @ 15:45 PST)
China calls for timely int'l aid to quake victims in Pakistan BEIJING, Dec. 1 (APP): China expects its people and the international community to provide timely assistance to earthquake's victims in Pakistan as the severe winter has come, Geng Hesun, a senior leader of China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, told a new conference. "The winter has come with subfreezing temperatures, so a second wave of death may be triggered if the victims do not get enough tents, blankets and food," he said. The foundation recently conducted a survey and investigation in the quake-hit region. Meanwhile, an official of the Chinese Commerce Ministry in an interview said China was prepared to take additional measures to help quake victims. China recently pledged concessional loan of $300 million for the restoration of Karakoram Highway, health and educational facilities in Balakot and the establishment of a network of seismic stations besides $26.73 million in cash and material, already provided by the Chinese people. (Posted @ 10:51 PST)
A US state department official visits Muzaffarabad MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 1 (APP): A high ranking US official MR.David J Katnor visited Muzaffarabad Wednesday, met officials, relief workers, and NGOs etc and reviewed relief activities particularly the role of US government. Speaking on the occasion he said the solution of the Kashmir issue was part of US agenda and added that " our Govt. is trying to induce India and Pakistan to resolve their bilateral issues through dialogue,". (Posted @ 09:53 PST)
27,065 more tents for quake-hit people LAHORE, Dec 1 (APP): Another consignment of more than 27,065 tents was sent to Azad Kashmir and NWFP during the last two days, Punjab Minister for Revenue and Relief Gul Hamid Khan Rokhari said Wednesday. He said that 1,86,362 tents have so far been sent by the Punjab government to the quake-devastated areas. Overall, a total of 9800 truckloads of relief items including eatables, tents, blankets and medicines have so far been dispatched from Punjab and assistance would continue till complete rehabilitation of earthquake survivors, he added. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Some 50 folding shelter homes ready at MQM workshop for quake victims KARACHI, Dec 1 (APP)- Some 50 folding shelter homes for the quake victims have been completed by engineers at the temporary workshop set up at Jinnah Ground by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).Another 50 are under construction,a statement Wednesday, said. MQM leaders including Sindh Minister for Planning and Development Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari visited the workshop and were informed that each home is 10-feet high and wide and 12-feet long and can be assembled in 30 minutes. The homes particularly suit areas of snowfall and rain , a statement said. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Relief and rehabilitation activities continue at full pace in quake-hit areas ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): As relief and rehabilitation activities continue at full pace in the quake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir and N.W.F.P., the United Nations has appealed for more than 200 million dollars emergency aid to save the quake survivors from severe cold and hunger. Talking to B.B.C., U.N. emergency operation Chief Andrew Macleod said there is a need to build more shelters and stock sufficient food because of the harsh winter. Pakistan Army in collaboration with volunteers and NGOs is constructing shelter homes in the far-flung quake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir. Over 4,000 shelter homes made of C.G.I. sheets have been constructed in Neelum, Jhelum and Leepa valleys. Emphasis is being laid to construct more shelters in upper parts of Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valleys to protect the affectees from the chilly weather. Helicopters and trucks are continuously supplying relief goods, including tents, blankets and food items . Six new relief bases have been established in Muzaffarabad and Neelum valley. Over 1300 temporary shelters have also been constructed and provided to the quake survivors in nine union councils of Balakot. More than 1500 other temporary shelters are under construction. (Posted @ 09:27 PST)
|
|
|
|
