WAAM, Nov 17: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani announced on Monday that all houses destroyed by the recent earthquake in Balochistan would be rebuilt and the centre had released Rs2.9 billion for the purpose.

Addressing a gathering in the worst-affected village of Waam in Ziarat district, he said the government would do everything possible to rehabilitate the affected people.The prime minister gave Rs350,000 cheque to each of the affected people.

“It is the government’s responsibility to help people rebuild their houses,” he said, adding that reconstruction would be carried out on a war-footing.

Mr Gilani said the provincial government had submitted a report on the damage caused by the quake and teams of army and Frontier Corps had completed assessment of losses.

He said the issues of survey and rehabilitation should not be politicised.

The prime minister said the government had been working on a policy of reconciliation to allay the sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan.

“The people of the province must get their rights. We want to keep our brothers with us and solve their problems.”

Mr Gilani said that losses suffered by crops in the quake-hit areas were being assessed and the federal government would consider writing off agriculture loans and utility bills.

He said that the centre would help Balochistan make use of its mineral, agriculture and other resources and set up maximum number of industries in the province.

The prime minister said that Balochistan had been given due representation in the federal cabinet.

He said that the government had so far distributed 2,750 winter tents, 17,600 other kinds of tents, 98,000 blankets, 300 single-room shelter houses and 11,767 tons of ration among the quake-affected people.

Another 2,400 tents, 3,000 winter tents, 92,000 blankets, 8,000 single-room shelter houses and 1,100 tons of ration would be distributed soon.

He said there would be no shortage of ration and essential goods.

Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Chief Minister Aslam Raisani attended the gathering.