ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that Pakistan is determined to convert the adversity of last year’s quake into opportunity and the government is taking necessary measures for early reconstruction of the affected areas.

He was talking to a delegation of the British government’s department for international development (DFID) led by Gareth Thomas, Parliamentary Under secretary of State for International Development, and Stephen Timms, Chief Secretary of the Treasury, which called on him at the PM’s House on Wednesday.

The prime minister said that nearly 90 per cent of the people who had been in tents were now living in permanent or semi-permanent shelter.

All facilities of education and healthcare were functioning on their premises or in temporary prefabricated buildings, he said.

He said plans were being finalised to shift the Balakot town to a nearby site, Bakrial, from its seismically unsafe location.

He said the country was pleased and satisfied with the response of the international community to the tragedy.

The world stood by Pakistan, which was a sign of its confidence in the transparent procedures adopted by the government and its credibility, the prime minister said.

He said Pakistan and the United Kingdom had a special relationship which was multifaceted, covering political, diplomatic, economic, defence, security, social and cultural fields.

The prime minister said Pakistan attached great value to its relationship with the DFID as it had been a strategic partner in the country’s development over the years.

He particularly appreciated the contribution made by the DFID in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the areas affected by the earthquake.

The prime minister said people of the country had faced the devastating earthquake with unmatched unity and resilience. He appreciated the spirit of volunteerism shown by people and the support of the international community in the aftermath of the disaster.

Giving an overview of the economic situation, he said the government believed in continuity and consistency of policies.

Last year, the country achieved 6.6 per cent economic growth despite the surging oil prices and losses caused by the earthquake, he said.

He said the government was focusing on all tiers of education and spending on the sector had been increased manifold.

He said the National Sanitation Policy had been approved by the cabinet on Wednesday under which awareness would be spread.

The prime minister said compensation packages had been increased in departments like traffic police and revenue service, which had resulted in substantial reduction in corruption.

The visiting delegation appreciated the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of the government.

MP Thomas said the DFID would immediately release nine million pounds to support the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority in expanding its work and helping people get through winter while another 35 million pounds would be released in the next two years to be spent on housing, health, infrastructure and other sectors.