Federal Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan has assured the business community that government would utilise relief assistance in transparent & judicious manner for rebuilding infrastructure in the quake stricken area, which would take years not months.
Addressing the members of Faisalabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Friday, he called upon the industrialists and exporters to adopt one city or village in the earthquake affected area for its complete reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Humayun Akhtar said recently established Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority and other government institutions were actively involved in preparing a "Strategy Plan", which would be implemented with the co-ordination of private sector, especially Chambers, Trade Associations and Anjuman-e-Tajran. He said removing the debris from the damaged and affected northern areas was in progress, which was a very difficult and costly work. However, just after removing the debris, construction and rehabilitation work would be started for establishment of new towns and villages to provide accommodation and other basic needs of life like education, hospitals and shelter to the people.
He asked the office bearers of Chambers and District City Nazim Rana Zahid Tauseef to make a joint committee and approach each and every member to contribute whatever he voluntarily can to mitigate the sufferings of the people of devastated areas.
Humayun Akhtar said the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure alone needed billions of rupees and concerted efforts on part of the government as well as private sector.
He called upon the donors to send tents, which were the most important relief good as the winter season had set in, making it impossible to live in open sky.
Mian Javed Iqbal, former President FCCI disclosed the FCCI would make arrangements for free treatment, medicines and food for 500 patients and their families at Allied Hospital, which were being shifted from northern areas within a days. He said that more than 2,000 injured persons would be accommodated in public and private hospitals.
He said FCCI was already generating funds and relief goods consignment worth millions of rupees at its relief camp established at Roti Plant from October 10. This camp had been dispatching 10 to 12 trucks load daily to Army Relief Collection Centre for its distribution in quake victims.
Acting President, Rana Zafar Ahmad Khan presented welcome address and expressed sympathies over the tragedy, which highlighted the need to accelerate the relief operation.
Humayun Akhtar Khan also visited the relief camp of FCCI at Roti Plant Iqbal Stadium and reviewed the progress of relief work. He paid glowing tributes to the people of Faisalabad for their contribution to the relief operations.