ISLAMABAD, 24 November 2005 — President Pervez Musharraf said yesterday that the government would help people build strong and better houses in the quake-hit areas so that they can withstand earthquakes in future.
“We want people to build houses which are better and stronger and in this regard we are ready to provide them guidance and assistance, so that in case of earthquakes there is less destruction” Musharraf said speaking at the launch of the National Volunteer Movement (NVM).
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and NVM chief Muhammad Ali Durrani were also present. Durrani said the movement would start work in the affected areas immediately with the help of local people and the army.
Those above 18 years are being recruited in the NVM which has a central secretariat in Islamabad. Durrani said more than 200,000 people have so far registered themselves with the NVM.
“It is a long and arduous journey, you have to prepare yourself to provide shelter to the homeless and work for setting up tent villages and schools in the area” said Musharraf addressing the volunteers.
“We will be building model cities in these areas which will become examples for other parts of Pakistan” said the president.
Musharraf said the government planned to spend $2.5 billion in the next two years for the reconstruction of the affected areas.
“The process will be very transparent and every cent spent will be accounted for,” said the president. He said that the government would soon create a website dedicated to the reconstruction process.
“The website will contain details about reconstruction work, its various stages and the money spent. Even individual contributors would be able to see where their money was being spent,” said Musharraf.
