RAWALPINDI, Jan 18: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has expressed the resolve to rebuild the quake-ravaged areas futuristically and said the country looks forward to technical expertise from the world community to reconstruct houses and infrastructure on modern lines.

Presiding over a meeting held to review the relief and reconstruction activities, he assured the quake survivors that the government would not only help rehabilitate them but also generate economic activity so that they could restart their businesses. A comprehensive strategy is being implemented for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the quake areas, he added.

The president pointed out that about four to five hundred thousand houses had been planned under the owner-driven strategy and technical advice would be provided to the concerned people to build quake-resistant and fireproof houses.

The objective that quake victims spend next winter in their permanent houses would Inshallah be achieved, he added.

Gen Musharraf appreciated the efforts of NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani and AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan for the speedy and equitable disbursement of compensation amount among the quake survivors.

He expressed satisfaction at the relief operation and said that about 850,000 tents and over 300,000 temporary shelters had been provided to quake survivors to shield them against the harsh weather.

Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority chairman Lt-Gen Muhammad Zubair briefed the participants about the rehabilitation and reconstruction strategy.

Minister of State for Economic Affairs Division Hina Rabbani Khar informed the meeting about the follow-up action on donor conference, pledges made by the international community and efforts to get those pledges met.—APP