ISLAMABAD, Oct 8: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Saturday he would welcome aid from foreign countries after a major earthquake claimed hundreds of lives in the country.

Mr Aziz also said Pakistan may cooperate with India for relief work in the worst-hit area, which is near the dividing line between Azad Kashmir and Indian held zone of Kashmir.

“We have set up the President’s Relief Fund for the earthquake victims and we welcome financial donations for the fund,” the prime minister told the BBC.

He said his country would need foreign help to rebuild homes in the worst affected areas, where he said more than half of the houses have been destroyed.

“It will be very difficult for them to survive” when the winter comes, he added.

“So we have said ‘yes’, we will take financial help from friends in the president’s relief fund. That money can also be used to buy equipment locally like foodstuff and water, etcetera.”

Mr Aziz earlier visited a collapsed apartment block in Islamabad and flew over northern Pakistan to view the destruction.

“It was very traumatic,” he said.

Responding to a question about cooperation with India, Mr Aziz did not rule out the possibility that their armies could coordinate relief work.

“A hotline exists between Pakistani and Indian armies and if there is need to coordinate, the channels are open on both sides,” he added. —AFP