ISLAMABAD, March 20: Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) Altaf M. Saleem has said the reconstruction funds will not be used for defence purposes.

“These funds will be used for the purpose they are meant for and there should be no ambiguity in it,” he told the maiden press conference he addressed after assuming the charge as Erra chief.

He said a comprehensive multi-layered system of physical as well as financial audit has already been put in place to ensure transparency in the entire reconstruction process. He said besides an internal audit, the Auditor General of Pakistan has been made responsible for audit.

He said arrangements have also been made for a third party international validation.

Mr Saleem said the government was also negotiating a framework for monitoring with donor agencies and assured that the question of transparency would be addressed in a comprehensive manner.

He said the collaboration with the donors was going on effectively in close coordination with civil society and sponsors. “The government is fully committed to the cause of rehabilitation and fully confident that there will be no problem of funding as we go along,” he remarked.

He said the strategies for housing, healthcare, education and livelihood cash grant have already been approved by the Erra Council headed by the prime minister and will be implemented within two to three years.

He said most of the work pertaining to rural housing will be completed before the next winter sets in.