Quake hits 80% of Punjab and 70% of NWFP: 1000s Die in Pakistan
Pakistan Times Special Report

ISLAMABAD: With 1000s of people dead, mostly in the hilly areas, the worst ever earthquakes in the history of Pakistan, rocking this morning has caused widespread distress to the people spanning over 80 percent of Punjab and 70 percent of the Frontier provinces.

Many villages were reportedly devastated, where it was feared to have taken a heavy toll of lives besides damages to property.

Sources told that 6 persons were killed and several injured in Murree alone, while the people kept coming to the hospital with the wounded on self help basis. Peshawar underwent 11 shocks of powerful tremors and still continuing intermittently, while Mansehra and Batgram suffered most both in terms of lives and property.

Besides, at least 40/50 houses of a village ‘Molian’ located in between Murree and Nathiagali have been totally destroyed. No relief team from the government has thus far reached here.

President, PM direct for speed up relief Work

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have issued directives to federal and provincial government for speeding up relief operations in quake-hit territories. They have appealed people to remain calm in this trying time.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz held a meeting with President Musharraf here after a major earthquake hit the federal capital Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other parts of the country. They discussed the situation after the quake.

President and prime minister received details of losses by the quake and issued directives to top officials for speeding up the relief operations.

President Musharraf has directed the Pakistan Army to provide assistance to the civil administration in the disaster-hit areas.

President and prime minister also ordered enforcement of emergency in military and civil hospitals and immediate medical aid to the injured persons. President and prime minister also appealed the nation to remain calm. They also issued directives to authorities for assessment of losses in the disaster.

Heavy rains giving tough Time

A heavy rains have gutted the capital city of Azad Kashmir as the rescue workers were struggling to get out the trapped people from the collapsed buildings after earthquake measuring between 7.4 and 7.9 on the open-ended Richter Scale hit the city in the wee hours of this morning.

According to details, the heave rains are giving tough time to the rescue worker in their rescue operation in the area.

Electricity suspension has added more to tough time for the rescue workers and others engaged to save those trapped bodies under the debris.

PM sets up Rs one bn relief Fund

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has established here on Saturday a relief fund of rupees one billion on emergency basis for earthquake victims.

While talking to journalists after reviewing rescue works for the victims, the prime minister said that the death toll from the calamity had reached hundreds; however, further rise in the number could not be ruled. Much of the overall loss has occurred in Azad Kashmir. He informed: “For the earthquake victims a relief fund of the President of Pakistan has also been opened.”

Quake a test for the nation: Musharraf

President Pervez Musharraf said the massive quake was a test for the nation as he visited collapsed Margallah Towers apartment block in Islamabad along with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

"In the overall context it is a test for all of us... the entire nation and we are sure we will qualify this test," Musharraf said.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz announced to setup a relief fund for the earthquake victims at the Prime Minister Secretariat that will receive donations and relief items for the quake victims.●