January 04, 2009	Sunday	Muharram 06, 1430

MANSEHRA, Jan 3: The earthquake survivors from Balakot have threatened to stage a protest in front of DCO office and block the Karakoram Highway if the third and fourth installments of housing compensation amount were not paid to them.

Qazi Mohammad Sadiq, chairman of Movement for Rehabilitation of Survivors of Balakot Tehsil, speaking at a press conference in Balakot on Saturday, set one week deadline for the government and Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) for payment of their outstanding installments forthwith otherwise they would demonstrate in front of DCO office and block the Karakoram Highway.

He condemned the performance of the government and Erra saying that despite the lapse of over three years thousands of survivor families were still deprived of their housing compensation amount in all 12 union councils of the most affected Balakot tehsil.

Mr Sadiq said that as many as 1,042 survivor families at union council Balakot and 1,100 families of Garlat were still waiting for the third and fourth installments of housing compensation.

He said that over 5,000 families were still living in miserable conditions in the prefabricated houses and shelters in severe cold. Majority of old and children were suffering from respiratory track infection and skin related diseases, he added.

He also demanded shifting of the office of district forest officer to Balakot.