April 20, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 21, 1427

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MUZAFFARABAD, April 19: AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat here on Wednesday said earthquake survivors needed to have confidence in the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority, instead of falling prey to commitments made by some elements.

“Since it’s the year of general elections, some people are trying to woo voters with impracticable promises and claims,” he said at a press conference at his assembly chamber.

“The protests of the people are unjustified. If they have any complain, they can directly contact government functionaries or representatives of the (earthquake reconstruction) agency,” said Mr Hayat, who was flanked by most of his ministers and some MLAs, including former premier Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan.

He admitted that lately he himself had criticised Erra but an in-depth briefing by the authority’s deputy chairman had satisfied him.

“The new survey will register remaining damaged houses, so there is no justification for holding protests,” he said.

The new survey was required by donor agencies and governments and teams assigned the task included technical people from the army, he said.

The prime minister said a committee, to be headed by him, was being constituted to oversee operations of the State Earthquake Reconstruction Agency.

Similarly, he said, district reconstruction units were being formed in affected districts which would hold consultations with public representatives, including nominees of the opposition.

He said the AJK government was only implementing the policy and directions of the federal authority and added: “But they (Erra) include our opinions (in the policy) and we are particularly grateful to Gen Musharraf for agreeing to almost all of our proposals.”

Referring to demonstrations by lawyers and non-gazetted employees, he said the government would look into their genuine demands.

“But all of us need to proceed ahead by settling this affair with courage and dedication,” he maintained.

He hoped that after three years, the quake-hit zone would be more developed than other areas.”

When asked how and where the people of the central part of Muzaffarabad would be rehabilitated in view of the ban on multi-storey constructions and likely widening of roads and streets, the prime minister said that due to the problem, he was for shifting district headquarters to Garhi Dupatta and the seat of the AJK government to Langarpura or Chattar.

“This can help us allot land currently housing official buildings to affected people on the one hand and widen roads and streets on the other to make Muzaffarabad a modern city,” he said.