'More than 57,000 dead in Pakistan quake'

Terming the October 8 quake as a tragedy worse than the December 26 tsunami, Aziz told the National Assembly the temblor had killed more than 57,000 and left thousands injured.

"The calamity made a large number of children orphans and many women widows," he was quoted as saying by the state-run APP news agency.

Speaking during a debate on relief and rescue efforts in the affected areas, he proposed a Parliamentary Group of heads of political parties in the Assembly to effectively cope with the challenges posed by the killer quake.

Aziz praised the army personnel for their swift response to the tragedy and rescuing the quake-stricken people.

Tremors Across Borders