Pak not averse to coordinating with India

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October 09, 2005 00:16 IST

Pakistan on Saturday said it was not averse to coordinate with Indian army in providing relief to quake-hit people on both sides of the LoC and the two armies could use the hotline facility if needed.

"We have a lot to do on each side. The hotline do exist between the two armies as you may know. If there is need to coordinate something, the channels are open on both sides," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said when asked whether Pakistan was open for coordination with the Indian army in relief operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

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The quake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, was severe in the Kashmir valley and parts of Northern Areas where the damage was stated to be heavy.

Aziz told BBC that PoK suffered heavy damage with 50 to 60 per cent of the houses damaged.

Pakistan has established a President's relief fund and was seeking foreign donations, he added.

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"We have set up President's relief fund for the earthquake. We welcome financial donations for the fund. That will help rebuilding the homes. Half the homes have been affected or destroyed. When the winters come in it will be very difficult for these people survive," he said.

The relief fund can be used to buy equipment, food and water locally, he added.

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