$2.4 billion quake aid commitments made so far: Prime Minister grieves loss of lives in Delhi

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday thanked the world community for help and assistance for relief and rehabilitation of quake-affected people.
In an interview with BBC World programme 'Talking Point' he said: "We are very pleased that the whole world community has stood by Pakistan and we are very satisfied with the funds raised."
He said: "We have total commitments from overseas of 2.4 billion dollars and much more will be needed."
He said: "But the initial pledges are very encouraging and from within the country we have raised over Rs 5 billion from members of civil society and the business community and more is coming in."
"So I think if you look at the total funds coming in, the world has stood by Pakistan, but we need much more."
He said: "Our immediate objective when the earthquake occurred was to focus on relief and rescue, provide food and water to the people, provide medical care and then provide them temporary housing where their housing had been damaged."
The Prime Minister said quake-hit area is one of the toughest terrains in the world and accessibility is a big challenge.
He said people live miles and miles away from the nearest road and "what we have done is historic in the sense that thousands of troops have been manned out into mountainous areas where there was no access, no road, carrying food on their back using mules.
He said these are areas where helicopters cannot land because mountains are so steep. The Prime Minister said despite all this we have provided food and medical care to everybody. No body in the quake-affected area says that there is shortage of food.
He said all out efforts were being made with all available resources to reach and assist people in inaccessible areas.
To a question, the Prime Minister said there is no prior allocation in budget for earthquake relief, adding: "Naturally this happens after the event occurs."
He said after the disaster, the government, the civil side, the military side and the people have stepped up an effort, which is historic in the history of Pakistan.
He said from Karachi to Khyber Pass, every Pakistani is contributing to the earthquake effort.
"We have never seen the country so galvanised; so united, people standing together to help their brethren, who have suffered from a major catastrophe, a major human tragedy and the earthquake, which is much more serious than the tsunami."
He said in quake-affected areas accessibility is very difficult and despite that relief was timely provided which was unprecedented. "The government and friends from overseas have come in a big way and that is why we have been able to provide relief to affected people," he added.
Much more needs to be done and this will move on to the next phase, which is rehabilitation and reconstruction, he added.
But you will not hear anybody in Pakistan saying they did not have food. They were delivered food by every means.
"You will have no body saying that hospitals did not gear up to treat the people because the medical care from Pakistan was excellent and besides Pakistan 32 different countries have set up field hospitals in affected areas.
The Prime Minister said access is a challenge as there are no roads for miles and miles. People live in isolated areas and it requires time to bring them hack, he added.
To a question about blasts in Delhi, he said Pakistan condemns violence and terrorism. Killing of innocent civilians is no way to solve any problem in a civilised society, he added.
He hoped Indian authorities will investigate and get to the bottom. "Certainly, we are highly grieved for those who lost their lives."
Pakistan is playing a major role in the fight against terrorism, across the globe, he added.
He said Pakistan has agreed with India to open five crossing points so that relatives of quake-affected people on both sides of LoC can meet and help each other.
The Prime Minister said the volunteers are waiting and after completing of paper work. They will be helping people who cross to our side and the people on this side who want to go there and meet their relatives.
He said earthquake occurred on both sides of LoC and both need relief and rescue.
He said there will be a two-way movement and there is tremendous feeling in Azad Kashmir to help their brethren on the other side, who are in occupied Kashmir.