Representing the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (Kana) performed the ground breaking of various projects in Muzaffarabad in a ceremony on October 8, the day when the killer tremor rocked NWFP and AJK in 2005 that unleashed unprecedented devastation on people and infrastructure.
Federal Minister for Kana, Qamar Uz Zaman Kaira, Chairman Erra, Altaf Muhammad Saleem and Deputy Chairman, Erra, Lieutenant General Sajjad Akram stood with their Kashmiri brethren on the third Anniversary of the earthquake. President of AJK, Sardar Zulqarnain Khan, Prime Minister, AJK, Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan, high level Government Officials, representatives of donor agencies and Erra authorities were also present on the occasion.
The occasion was marked by the unveiling of much criticised Muzaffarabad Master Plan, which is now likely to be realise in very soon. The ground breaking ceremony of 76 Km-long Neelum Valley Road, which is envisaged to be completed by June 2010 was held, A massive urban development programme was also launched for three major cities of AJK namely, Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawlakot.
This includes the reconstruction of roads, bridges housing recreational facilities, commercial set ups, transport and communication virtually landless affectees, who are living on highly hazardous sites for the purchase of land and Rs 174, 000 for construction of houses on newly purchased land.
Erra announced the closure of all the camps under their management as out of 350,000 affectees living in the camps, 320,952 have gone back to their homes, while only 44 extremely vulnerable families are still living in two camps that will now be administered by the AJK Government.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the PM, Kaira said that Government of Pakistan is committed to the humanitarian cause of reconstructing infrastructure and rehabilitating lives in the affected areas. Further, he assured that all the resources will be provided for the fast track and timely reconstruction of quake affected areas.
AJK president and Prime Minister lauded the selfless devotion of armed forces, people and government of Pakistan as well as the international community for extending positive and meaningful support in difficult times. Chairman, Erra, gave a detailed briefing about the on going development projects in the affected areas.
He said that Erra has achieved considerable progress in rebuilding the affected areas and this process will continue until the comprehensive reconstruction of these areas. As part of third anniversary activities, Deputy Chairman Erra, Lieutenant General Sajjad Akram along with a delegation of Gaddafi Foundation of Libya, headed by Executive Director, Dr Yousaf Sawani, performed the ground breaking of Markazi Mosque in New Balakot city at Bakrayal on Thursday.
This mosque will be located at the focal point of the town with a capacity of 15000 people and its construction will cost $1.65 million. Sawani reiterated the resolve to provide all the required support for the humanitarian cause in area.