PESHAWAR, Nov 16: Pakistan army in collaboration with the World Food Programme has completed an operation to store foodstuff and medicines in the earthquake-hit areas of the NWFP. According to an Inter-Service Public Relations press release, sufficient quantities of flour, ghee, sugar, pulses, dry milk and medicines have been stockpiled at main supply bases in Mansehra and Abbottabad.

Each distribution point will cater for 3,000 people.

Meanwhile, Corps Commander Lt-Gen Muhammed Hamid Khan has stressed the need for expediting payment of compensation to survivors in the NWFP.

At a briefing held to review the relief and rehabilitation activities at the corps headquarters on Wednesday, Lt-Gen Khan said that apart from ensuring transparency, preference in disbursement of compensation money should be given to the affected living in hamlets and villages in remote mountainous areas.

He was informed that so far Rs1.42 billion had been paid to the families whose members had either been killed or injured in Mansehra, Batgram, Abbottabad, Kohistan and Shangla districts. Over Rs462 million was paid to those whose houses were damaged.

The corps commander directed that all steps be taken to provide medical assistance to survivors, particularly women and children.

Troops from the Supply and Transport Battalion are assisting those desiring to come down from mountains in the wake of cold and snowfall. Two Engineers battalions have been deployed at places likely to be blocked by landslides, the press release added.—APP