pakistan news by j.iqbal

Rs 2bn released to rebuild houses in NWFP, AJK
Musharraf stresses provision of tents to
shelterless within two weeks
RAWALPINDI: President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday directed prompt release of Rs 2 billion for the reconstruction of houses in the remote earthquake-hit areas of NWFP and Azad Kashmir and directed all-out efforts for providing relief to the areas still not accessed.

UN, aid agencies dismayed at pledges
Officials say Geneva promises too little too late, might not save a single life
GENEVA: The UN aid agencies as well as top charities warned on Thursday that the world pledges to help earthquake victims might not save a single life, as they concurred that money was too little and they had problems with cash flow.

Pakistan pleased with donors’ support: PM
Says relief centres set up along LoC; Chinese PM outlines 5-point rehab plan for quake victims
MOSCOW: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said Pakistan is pleased with pledges by international donors to provide extra funds to assist earthquake victims but hopes the aid effort will continue.

Indian team due today for LoC talks
By Mariana Baabar
ISLAMABAD: An Indian delegation headed by Joint Secretary Ministry of External Affairs Dilip Sinha arrives here today (Friday) to finalise modalities for opening the Line of Control (LoC) and facilitating cooperation with Pakistan on providing relief to Kashmiri survivors of the October 8 earthquake.

Evacuation plans for Allai put on hold
Villagers reluctant to leave, want aid in their valley
By Rahimullah Yusufzai
PESHAWAR: Plans for evacuation of thousands of earthquake survivors from Allai valley have been put on hold due to reluctance of an overwhelming majority of the people to leave their villages.

ERRA not to enjoy unchecked powers
By Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: The newly-created Lt Gen Zubair-led Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) would not be enjoying unfettered powers as assumed generally but would be subjected to a notified check and balance system.

15 minutes of fame at the Foreign Office
By Rauf Klasra
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan survived being upstaged by his additional secretary administration, who, employing the powers vested in the prime minister, appointed himself full Secretary on October 18.

Israeli missile attack kills seven Palestinians
JEBALIYA, Gaza Strip: Israeli forces fired missiles in a Gaza refugee camp after nightfall Thursday, Palestinians and the Israeli military said, and seven people were killed, including a leading Islamic Jihad militant, Shadi Mohanna.

10 more die of tetanus in Rawalpindi
By Muhammad Qasim
RAWALPINDI: As many as 10 more earthquake survivors undergoing treatment in the three teaching hospitals here died of the deadly tetanus during the past 24 hours while eight others were under treatment till Thursday evening, surging the tally to 40.

Shujaat contacts opposition for APC
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has contacted opposition leaders with a proposal to convene an all parties conference (APC) to formulate a joint strategy for rehabilitation of the earthquake victims.

Help for quake victims
Pakistan circulates UNGA draft resolution
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan on Thursday circulated a draft resolution calling the UN General Assembly to urge the world community to "swiftly deliver" the pledged funds for the relief and rehabilitation of the earthquake victims in northern parts of the country.

Supply of tents to be completed by end of November: PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said the government has imposed a ban on the export of tents and tents are being produced in large numbers, which are constantly being supplied to the earthquake survivors.

Three tribesmen held in S Waziristan after blast
By our correspondent
TANK: Three tribesmen were arrested in Laddah area of South Waziristan following a remote-controlled roadside explosion that killed a Pakistan Army soldier and caused injuries to 11 of his colleagues.

Bush launches private sector initiative to help quake victims
WASHINGTON: President George W Bush announced on Thursday that five "distinguished private sector leaders" have agreed to launch "a nationwide effort" to encourage private donations for relief and reconstruction, in response to October 8 earthquake.

Shia-Sunni clash leaves 15 Iraqis dead
BAGHDAD: Sunni Arab militants killed 14 Shia militiamen and a policeman on Thursday in a clash southeast of Baghdad in another sign of rising tensions among Iraq’s religious communities.

Azad to replace Mufti as held Kashmir CM
NEW DELHI: A federal minister from India’s ruling Congress party will be the new chief minister of held Kashmir, in line with a power-sharing pact with a regional party, a Congress spokeswoman said on Thursday. Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will replace Mufti Mohammad Syed of the People’s Democratic Party, who took power in the held territory following election three years ago. The Congress and the PDP, which run a coalition government, had agreed to share power after they ousted the National Conference.