May 22, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 21: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has dispatched 6,480 tents for earthquake- affected people of China on the instructions of the federal government.

These tents were dispatched by two C-130 flights as well as on trucks by road. The flights carrying the tents departed for China early in the morning on Wednesday.

Federal Minister for Narcotics and Food and Agriculture Nazar Mohammad Gondal, Chinese ambassador in Islamabad Luo Zhaohui, NDMA Chairman Lt-Gen (retired) Farooq Ahmed Khan, Shaukat Nawaz Tahir, senior member of NDMA; Sohaila Mushtaq, D.G. Emergency Relief Cell and senior officials of the Cabinet Division and Foreign Office were also present at the ceremonies held on the departure of flights at Chaklala Airbase in Rawalpindi as well as at Police Lines, Islamabad from where the trucks carrying the tents departed.

Besides, two more C-130 planes and trucks are likely to be dispatched to China in the next few days. Earlier two C-130 flights were also sent on May 16 carrying relief goods including medicines, plastic mats, mineral water and tents.

The federal minister and other officials expressed their condolence and solidarity with the Chinese ambassador on the devastation caused by the earthquake.

The federal minister extended gratitude to the Chinese government for accepting relief goods from Pakistan.

The Chinese ambassador expressed his regards for the cooperation and assistance extended by Pakistan.—APP