ISLAMABAD, Jan 16: President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday stressed Pakistan’s commitment to rebuilding the quake-ravaged areas on modern lines and said that the country looked forward to continued international support for its reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

He was talking to former US president and United Nations’ Special Envoy for Pakistan Earthquake Relief George H.W. Bush, who called on him.

President Musharraf thanked the UN for its efforts and sustained focus on relief assistance. He hoped that the pledges made by the international community would be materialized in time to realize plans for rebuilding of the quake zone.

He briefed the UN envoy about Pakistan’s efforts launched in the aftermath of the disaster that struck northern mountainous regions of the NWFP and Azad Kashmir on Oct 8, 2005, claiming more than 73,000 lives and devastating infrastructures on a large scale.

He said the restructuring and rehabilitation process would be carried out in a transparent manner. The government, he added, had already distributed billions of rupees among survivors so that they could start rebuilding their houses.

As for the infrastructure, the president pointed out, far-improved facilities in education and health sectors would be put in place on a need-based strategy. He said that sponsors worldwide could access the Erra (Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority) website for making contribution to these efforts.

Mr Bush expressed grief over the loss of lives in the quake.

“Our hearts go out to the quake survivors and we fully share the sorrow, (and) the tragedy inflicted on the families of victims.”—APP

Online adds: Besides, the ongoing war on terror and the campaign against the Taliban remnants and Al Qaeda militants in Afghanistan and border areas came under discussion. The killing of citizens in a US air-strike in Bajaur Agency on Friday was also discussed.

President Musharraf stressed that regional security and respect of borders of allied countries in war against terrorism be ensured.

He said the process of exchange of information among the allied countries should be made more effective.

The president reiterated that the war on terrorism was in the interest of Pakistan as it was facing the menace of extremism and terrorism on its soil.

He said that over 70,000 paramilitary forces had been deployed on the Pakistan-Afghan borders to keep watch on the movement of suspected Al Qaeda and Taliban operatives. Pakistan has played a vital role in the war against terrorism, he added.