ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday announced that it would set up its welfare offices in the earthquake-ravaged NWFP and AJK on permanent basis.

“The decision has been taken by the party’s founder Altaf Hussain on the insistence of the quake-suffered people and would operate on permanent basis in these areas,” said Wasim Aftab, member Muttahida Qaumi Movement coordination committee while speaking at a press conference.

Others present on the occasion included Minister for Housing and Works, Syed Safwanullah, MNA Kunwar Khalid Younis, MNA Prof. Wahab and Abdul Wasim.

Responding to a question, he said the setting up of welfare offices had nothing to do with politics as the local people wanted them to stay.

Mr Aftab maintained that the welfare offices branches would be set up in Bagh, Rawlakot and Muzaffarabad in Kashmir and to Abbottabad, Batagram, Mansehra, Balakot and other remote areas of NWFP to protect the quake survivors from harsh winter and other viral diseases.

Talking to Dawn, MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi said to run these welfare offices office-bearers would soon be selected from the respective areas.

He said the coordination committee had already received a number of nominations in this regard.

Replying to question he said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder had always backed the right of self-determination of Kashmiris.