News
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Reconstruction on modern lines, says Musharraf* Pledges transparency in spending
* Opens mosque restoration work
MANSEHRA: The government will rebuild the area devastated by the October 8 earthquake on modern lines, President Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday.
Addressing a large gathering at Kodar village in Siran Valley, the president said that the government would build homes and other infrastructure better than before. “Now you will have more quake-resistant schools and basic health units,” he said.
Musharraf’s visit coincides with the start of reconstruction and the completion of six months since the 7.6-magnitude earthquake ripped through northern Pakistan, killing over 73,000 people and leaving over 3.5 million homeless. The president earlier launched restoration work on the historic Kodar Jamia Mosque and performed the ground breaking of a primary school that was destroyed in the earthquake.
Musharraf said the international community pledged $6.4 billion while the nation generously donated Rs 10.5 billion to the President’s Fund. “All this money will be spent on rehabilitation of the affected areas,” he said.
He announced Rs 100 million for development projects in Mansehra and said that more funds would be available for specific projects. “People must see these projects on the ground. We have no hesitation in providing you the resources, but we do not want to see the money misused,” he said.
The president supported locals’ demand for the construction of mini-dams in the area and asked the local representatives to come up with proposals. He said all villages of the area would be provided electricity while efforts were being made to provide natural gas to several. “People from across the world come here to enjoy the natural beauty, the lush green valleys, and we all must protect these and use alternative fuels instead of wood for cooking and heating,” he said. He assured full support in the reconstruction of the Hazara University that was completely damaged in the earthquake. The president praised the courage of the earthquake survivors who lost their loved ones and property. “Earlier there were apprehensions that the people will die of hunger, lack of medical facilities and winter, but with Allah’s help, the support of the international community and the nation, nothing of this sort happened,” he added. Musharraf asked the volunteers to reach out to every far off area to help their brethren. app
Courtesy DailyTimes.com.pk