KARACHI, Dec 11: Naib Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Prof Ghafoor Ahmed has stressed the need for providing sustainable houses to earthquake victims as tents and other such temporary shelters cannot withstand the harsh winter. He was speaking at the JI office, Idara Noor-i-Haq, on the occasion of the dispatch of 50,000 galvanized sheets weighing 250 tons to Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawlakot and Batgram for the construction of houses for quake survivors.

He observed that the freezing cold in those areas could cause more casualties unless weather-resistant shelters in an adequate number were immediately made available to the victims.

He noted that the galvanized sheets, imported from Dubai at a cost of Rs15m, would help raise some 5,000 houses and would be provided to survivors free of cost.

He appreciated the Al-Khidmat Welfare Society for making efforts in this regard.

Prof Ghafoor also inspected some model houses put on display at the office. He was told that the process of making new houses in the affected areas was in full swing with thousands of Al-Khidmat volunteers at work. He also noted that many woodcutting machines and workshop equipment had been sent to the affected areas from Karachi to facilitate the construction work.

He was informed that the Al-Khidmat planned to build 1,000 such houses in Kollai, Shumlai, Paras, Kalash, Garlat and Garhi Dopatta, and the work was in the final phase.—PPI