President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said the nation had faced the devastating calamity of October 8 with great determination and promised to reconstruct the quake-ravaged area on modern lines.
"We will reconstruct the homes, health, and education facilities and infrastructure better than before, and now you will have more quake-resistant schools and basic health units," President Musharraf addressing a large gathering at the picturesque village Kodar (Siran valley), in the suburbs of Mansehra said.
President Musharraf's visit coincides with the start of reconstruction and completion of six months since the 7.6 magnitude earthquake ripped through northern Pakistan, killing over 73,000 people, injuring an equal number and rendering over 3.5 million homeless.
The President earlier launched the restoration work of the historic Kodar Jamia mosque and performed the ground breaking of a primary school that was destroyed in the earthquake.
The President addressing the gathering of National Volunteer Movement and locals at the Sirin valley - that saw some of the worst destruction, said the international community pledged dollars 6.4 billion while the nation generously donated Rs 10.5 billion in President' s fund.
"All this money will be spent for rehabilitation of the affected areas," the President said amidst a thunderous applause.
The President also announced Rs 100 million for development projects in Mansehra and said more funds would be available for specific projects.
"The people must see these projects on ground; we have no hesitation in providing you the resources, but we do not want to see the money misused," he added.
He asked the local representatives to provide detailed reports of development projects where the money was needed and assured prompt response from the government.
The President also assured full support to the demand for construction of mini-dams in the area and asked the local representatives to come up with solid proposals.
He said all villages of the area would be provided electricity while efforts were being made to provide natural gas to as many areas as was possible.
"People from across the world come here to enjoy the natural beauty, the lush green valleys and we all must protect these and use alternative fuels instead of wood for cooking and heating," the President said.
He also assured full support in the reconstruction of the Hazara University that was completely damaged in the earthquake.
The President appreciated the resilience of the people of NWFP and AJK who lost their loved ones and worldly possessions, yet strongly faced the difficulties in the wake of country's worst-ever natural calamity.
"Earlier, there were apprehensions that people will die of hunger, lack of medical facilities and winters but with Allah's help, support of the international community and the nation, nothing of the sort happened," he added.
President Musharraf also noted that 5,000 people had been registered for the National Volunteer Movement in the area and asked them to reach out to every far off area to help their brethren.
"You have to work selflessly, to provide succour to your brothers and sisters and to ensure they lead a better and improved life than before," he said.
NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman, Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, National Volunteer Movement Chairman Senator Mohammad Ali Durrani, Minister for Youth Affairs Sumaira Malik also attended the public meeting.
Earlier, Zila Nazim Sardar Mohammad Yousaf welcomed the President and appreciated the hard work put in by the government, the army and the NGOs during the relief phase.