Jamaat-e-Islami central leader Liaquat Baloch has said that one hundred thousand people have lost lives in the recent earthquake while the total estimated loss of property comes to $12-15 billion.
Addressing a news conference here on Sunday, he said by loss of life and property, the earthquake that hit Pakistan on 8th October was larger than tsunami.
He said that the NWFP, Mansehra, Buttagram and Abbotabad are the worst-hit areas, where 80 percent population has been badly affected by the quake, adding 60 percent houses of these cities have completely collapsed and 40 percent buildings received cracks. Similarly, all the government buildings including schools, hospitals, courts and other offices in these areas have ceased to exist on earth, and 35 percent affected area still remains out of reach of any government or any other agency.
"According to our estimates, the number of dead is around 100,000, and injured 150,000 while the estimated damage amounts to $12-15 billion," he claimed.
About relief efforts, he said besides army jawans and officers, many local and foreign organisations and agencies are carrying out relief and rescue operations.
According to him, 32 foreign NGOs were also doing work in various affected areas. About his party's relief efforts, he said JI and Al Khidmat Foundation had set up 20 base camps in Rawlpindi, Mansehra, Abbotabad and Islamabad while four central field camps were functioning in Muzaffarabad, Ralwalkot, Balakot and Bagh where 5,000 workers and volunteers were involved in various relief operations.
"We have also made available medical facilities in various hospitals in the affected areas for as many as 10,000 patients, with arrangements for Sehar and Iftar." Moreover 310 doctors, 178 dispensers, 710 medical workers are performing their duties day and night in six hospitals set up for the victims.
The JI central leader further pointed out that Al Khidmat Foundation has so for sent 1,300 trucks of miscellaneous items in the affected areas, in addition to 410 trucks of ration, 15 trucks of mineral water, one hundred thousand blankets and 20 thousand tents. Moreover it has also arranged mules and donkeys and 20 single and double cabin vehicles for taking relief goods to areas where access is difficult.
Liaqat Baloch said: "Now there are many issues and challenges ahead, which we have to face with courage. This (Earthquake) is a test for us from God. It hit us because of our deeds. Therefore the whole Millat-e-Islamia and particularly Millat-e-Pakistan should seek pardon from God."
He also praised the overseas Pakistanis for extending co-operation in carrying out relief efforts and called for unity among the nation and co-ordination between the agencies carrying out relief work as army alone could not face such a gigantic task, he stated.
He also appealed to philanthropists to come forward and ensure availability of tents, medicines and ration in the affected areas.
About delay in starting relief operations, he said military was responsible for it. But, he added, President Musharraf instead of accepting the responsibility for this negligence was going to impose army upon civil administration. According to him, the rehabilitation and related work should be done under the supervision of 'Parliament's Joint Committee' and the army structure should only assist the civil administration.
Baloch also lauded the role of local media in highlighting and projecting this noble cause, but came hard at foreign media, saying, "it is busy in hatching conspiracies to put hurdles in way of relief operations by publishing misleading stories against Islamic organisations involved in relief operations in the affected areas."
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