ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) on Friday announced to fund construction of 5,000 houses in the rain-hit areas of Balochistan and to immediately start assessment of damages in Balochistan and the NWFP.

A meeting, presided over by PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at his residence here and attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Yusuf, Federal Minister Zubaida Jalal, Dr Ismail Buledi and party's secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Syed, decided to immediately mobilize party leadership to reach the needy people in both the provinces.

Commander Khalilur Rahman, Senate's deputy chairman, was made to head the task force on the NWFP who would immediately start assessment of damages caused by rains in the province, whereas three teams headed by Zubaida Jalal, Senator Ghulam Sarwar Kakar and Jan Mohammad Jamali would fly in helicopters from Karachi into the affected areas of Balochistan including Makran and Kachi canal.

After receiving reports Mr Hussain would undertake fund raising for providing money to construct at least 5,000 housing units to accommodate people rendered homeless due to torrential rains.

Mr Hussain told newsmen that he had talked to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and got his assurance to provide relief that was required by the affected people of both the provinces.

Commander Khalil said he would meet the governor and the chief minister of the NWFP to get fresh information about damages in far-flung areas of the province before going to the affected areas for on the spot assessment.