April 20, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 19: Representatives of the United States, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have expressed satisfaction over the pace, quality and transparency of reconstruction and rehabilitation work being undertaken in earthquake-hit areas of Pakistan.

They were speaking at a conference of donors, sponsors and NGOs held in Islamabad.

They said that the work done by The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) was comparable with any similar effort carried out in any part of the world.

Addressing the conference UN representative Abdul Khaliq lauded the work done by the government of Pakistan, Erra and civil society for restoration and rehabilitation of the people hit by the massive earthquake.

People of Balakot held protest rallies in the recent past, accusing Erra of backing out of its promise to make full payment to those people whose houses were damaged in the earthquake.

The issue was also raised twice in the National Assembly in the ongoing session and the house sent the same to the house standing committee to look into these complaints.

The world bodies’ endorsement of Erra’s work is meaningful at this juncture and it will be used as good performance certificate in coming meetings of the standing committee.