Transparent audit of relief aid urged

29 Nov, 2005

The NWFP Senior Minister Siraj-ul-Haq has underlined the need for formulating and implementing the rules and regulations for audit of the resources received from local and international communities for the assistance of earthquake victims to ensure transparent and judicious distribution.
Expressing confidence that the federal government would take immediate steps in this regard, he added that this was also essential for country's image in financial matters.
He was talking to Dr Ishrat Hussain, Governor State Bank of Pakistan at Civil Officers Mess Peshawar on Monday who called on the Senior Minister and discussed with him financial matters relating to the province specially the fund released to the victims and the problems faced as such.
Provincial Ministers for Health, Industries and Mineral Development, Social Welfare, Excise & Taxation, Managing Director Bank of Khyber, Secretaries Finance, Establishment and Information and other authorities were also present.
Siraj-ul-Haq lauded the services of Dr Isharat Hussain as Governor State Bank of Pakistan and praised his keen interest in timely release of compensation to the earthquake victims. However, he asked for additional facility of micro-finance to the victims for commercial purposes to enable them stand on their own feet and sought co-operation of Governor SBP in this regard.
He said that the victims were in need of resources for rehabilitation and reconstruction by their own. Hence, it was prime responsibility of the government either federal, provincial or district level to constitute local committees and provide resources and construction material to the victims to enable them accomplish their rehabilitation and construction works while also keep in touch with the committees to ensure transparency in distribution of resources and see that deserving people were getting aid.
He assured that provincial government would fulfil its responsibilities and would continue assisting the victims.
Governor State Bank assured that audit of the resources received at national and international level would be ensured in transparent manner and the system would be formulated and implemented as soon possible.
Similarly he said that teams of bankers had been sent to the affected areas to extend micro finance facilities to the local people in various sectors in tourism sector. He expressed the hope that provincial and district governments would streamline their efforts in this respect.

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