Reconstruction Top Priority: Pakistan to postpone F-16s Purchase  
By Mumtaz Hamid Rao - PakistanTimes.net Editor & Special Correspondent

MUZAFFARABAD (AJK): President General Pervez Musharraf Friday said Pakistan will postpone the purchase of F-16 aircraft from the United States in the face of large-scale relief and reconstruction tasks in the earthquake-hit areas but stressed that the country remained fully alive to its security concerns.

“I am going to postpone that (F-16s purchase) - but while we want to carry out massive relief and reconstruction effort, the other important issue is the security concern of Pakistan.”

“So, we will never do something, which jeopardizes one or the other - both have their own importance,” he told newsmen while visiting the quake-battered AJK capital to express solidarity with the survivors.

Lauds Facilities by US

The President commended the facilities being provided to the injured at the US field hospital and said he expected America to stay in the region in the reconstruction stage “as there is so much of work that needs to be done.”

On international response to October 8’s earthquake tragedy, the President said he is satisfied with the relief assistance provided to the country but said Pakistan expects the same level of help in the reconstruction stage as witnessed in the case of last year’s Tsunami in South East Asia and earlier this year’s Katrina hurricane in the United States.

Donors Moot

President Musharraf said he would present a very correct picture of the tasks ahead to the international community at the Nov-19 donors’ conference in Islamabad.

“We will present a picture of losses incurred and seek financial assistance into the President’s Relief Fund for reconstructing houses, schools, colleges and hospitals or assistance in kind in the form of sponsoring of schools, colleges, hospitals or villages.”

In-depth

Pakistan is to postpone the purchase of F-16 fighters from the United States so it can concentrate on helping the victims of last month's earthquake, President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday.

"We are going to postpone that... we want to bring maximum relief and construction efforts," Musharraf told reporters in the quake-hit Azad Kashmir capital of Muzaffarabad when asked about buying the jets.

Washington approved the sale of the F-16s to key 'war on terror' ally Pakistan in March after blocking it for 15 years. India was angered by the deal, although the United States said it was prepared to sell New Delhi both F-16s and more sophisticated F-18 fighter-bombers if it wanted them.

President Musharraf, who toured quake-battered areas on Friday to mark the Eid al-Fitr, said that delaying the purchase of the high-tech aircraft would not harm Pakistan's defences. "We should never do anything that would jeopardise our security," he said.

Perspective

This week the President said that despite the October-8 quake Pakistan would not cut its massive defence spending. Islamabad reportedly wants to buy up to 25 additional F-16s.

It has been seeking additional multi-role fighter jets since 1990 when a deal for 40 such planes fell through because of US viewpoint over the country's nuclear programme.

But relations warmed up again after Pakistan stood alongside the United States after the September-11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.

Quake's Impact

More than 80,000 people died in the earthquake and almost the same number were severely injured. Officials say at least three million people were made homeless and one million do not have adequate food.

Pakistan has said the cost of rebuilding the devastated areas will be more than five billion dollars.

Joins Quake-stricken People on Eid Day

Joining the earthquake-stricken people in Azad Kashmir and NWFP to express nation’s solidarity with them on Eid ul Fitr, President Musharraf said he is resolute to rebuild their lives and reconstruct the shattered region through a consolidated approach.

"The entire Pakistani nation is with you, we will not rest until we bring life back to normal in the region,” he declared, meeting the quake-affected people lodged in Thori tent village of Muzaffarabad.

The President, accompanied by the First Lady Begum Sehba Musharraf, also visited the Turkish and US army field hospitals and enquired after the health of the injured getting treatment there.

The President flew into the hard-hit capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir for his third visit to the mountainous zone inside a month since October-8, when a 7.6-magnitude temblor wrecked towns and cities, killing more than 73,000 people, injuring thousands and leaving millions homeless.

Assures all-out Support

“I am here to convey my own and the entire nation’s support and solidarity with you on Eid ul Fitr, which we are observing with sobriety and simplicity because of the colossal human tragedy,” he said.

Later, the President visited the quake-ruined town of Balakot in the North Western Frontier Province and met with men, women and children in a relief camp.

President Musharraf and the First Lady comforted the survivors and met with children affectionately on the occasion of the religious festival and said people all over the country stand with them in this calamity of immense proportions.

They also met with a newly wed couple in Balakot, whose wedding a few days ago, gave the troubled people of the once-thriving mountainous town something to cheer about and kindled new hopes for the future of the young generation.

The President presented gifts to the newly married couple and the First Lady gifted a set of gold ornaments to the bride. Visiting a school set up by Pakistan Army, he announced Rs 2000 each as Eidee for all students.

Addresses Troops

The President also addressed Pakistan Army troops and praised their commitment to duty and spirit of service to the nation in providing prompt relief to the the survivors in the quake zone, and for reaching out to the people in remote terrains.

He praised Pakistan army engineers for opening blocked roads and its medical teams for the treating a large number of wounded people in the aftermath of the country’s worst natural disaster.

The President visited field hospital set up by a Chinese medical team. He appreciated the quality of service being rendered for treatment of the injured.

The President had an aerial view of other quake-hit areas including Batagram, Allai, Jehlum Valley and Bagh to assess relief efforts.

Addressing the quake-hit people, President Musharraf pledged all-out efforts to provide shelter to the victims before subzero temperatures envelope the Himalayan region.

Overriding Priority

“Our overriding priority at the moment is to save people from the harsh winter - tents are being procured from all around - they are also being manufactured locally on." We are targeting tent-cover for all affectees by end November. Those deciding to stay on mountain tops are being advanced Rs 25,000 each so that they may repair and re-erect shelters at the earliest,” he said.

He also spoke of reconstruction plans that envisage putting in place all kinds of infrastructure on modern lines. “We will go for quake-proof housing, schools and hospitals for you,” he stated.

The President, who consoled the affected men and women encamped at various places, emphasized that it is inescapable duty of all segments to support the distressed people. “By sharing your sufferings, we are fulfilling our social and moral duty as enjoined by our religion - the government and the people will remain with you.”

He encouraged them to remain steadfast and assured that the government has put into use all national resources for their early recovery in the wake of the enormous devastation.

Orphaned Children

The Government, he said, will pay special attention to the orphaned children, unattended patients, the widows, destitute women and trauma patients, who would be lodged at convalescence centres.

“We will provide them healthcare, education and development opportunities,” he vowed. Later, the President flew back into the Islamabad after spending the Eid day with earthquake affectees.●