ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: Treasury and opposition members in the National Assembly on Monday demonstrated unity in expressing their sympathies with those affected by Saturday’s earthquake and vowing to work together in the relief activities.

In the business advisory committee’s meeting before the start of the session, the treasury and opposition members had decided that the National Assembly would not take up normal business on the agenda and they would only express solidarity with the nation in this critical time.

Acting parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, said it was time to work with sincerity and not for political point scoring. He said Pakistan was facing a war-like situation. “There is no government and no opposition today, and we all will work together,” he said. He said the disaster could not be faced in a traditional manner.

He announced that the opposition had decided to postpone its plan to observe a ‘Black Day’ on Oct 12.

He said the opposition had extended its cooperation to the government, which should respond to it positively and take immediate steps for the rehabilitation of displaced people.

He asked why troops had so far not landed in the areas where roads were closed due to landslides. He asked the government to make immediate arrangements to drop food in the affected areas. He stressed the need for using helicopters to drop troops in the affected areas.

He asked the president and the prime minister to focus their energies on relief efforts instead of visiting the areas in helicopters only for photo sessions.

The Opposition Leader in the assembly, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, asked the government to send relief goods to the devastated areas under the supervision of rangers and army to ensure their supply to deserving people.

He said there were reports that the goods earlier sent to some areas were snatched before reaching their destination.

He asked the world community to extend full support to Pakistan.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afgan stressed the need for unity to meet the situation.

Parliamentary leader of the People’s Party Parliamentarians, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, said it was time for all to set aside their party affiliations.

He said thousands of people were waiting for assistance.