ISLAMABAD, 13 November 2005 — Pakistan and India opened the third crossing point yesterday to facilitate relief work by people living on either side of the Line of Control and to increase the flow of aid for earthquake survivors as fresh rain and snow hit the scenic region.
The third crossing point is located at the Tithwal-Nauseri Sector over River Jhelum. The two commanders from Pakistan and India, Col. Shahid and Col. J. Narayan, shook hands to mark the opening of the bridge route. India and Pakistan had earlier opened the Rawalakot-Poonch crossing point and then the Hajipir-Uri point.
Pakistani troops have built a small foot-bridge over the fast-flowing Kishen Ganga River that would be used to carry relief supplies to the tens of thousands left stricken by last month’s massive temblor.
“Despite heavy overnight rain in the plains and snow in mountains in this area, the exchange of relief aid will take place as per schedule,” the police chief of north Kashmir, Abdul Subhan Lone, said in Tithwal. “All arrangements have been made and the exchange will take place around noon,” he said.
Meanwhile, it was learned that the Indian movie superstar Amitabh Bachchan intends to visit Pakistan and assist in the relief and rehabilitation work.
In an interview with one of the Pakistani private channels, he said: “I was deeply grieved to hear and see the misery caused by the Oct. 8 earthquake in Pakistan. I hope to visit Pakistan and work there as a relief worker to serve humanity.”
He said: “I have deep relationship with Pakistan as my mother hails from Lyallpur (now Faisalabad).” He made a fervent appeal for more aid to help the earthquake survivors.
Amitabh is very popular in Pakistan. His latest movie ‘Baghban’ is the rage of movie buffs and is doing very well in every Pakistani city.
A heavy downpour and snowfall in most of the Azad Kashmir and the Hazara district of the NWFP forced relief teams to suspend airlifting of relief goods to earthquake hit areas.
Weather forecasters predicted rains for the next few days. A resident of Abbottabad Iftikhar Mashwani told Arab News by telephone that, “Conditions are getting worse.” He said rains have damaged newly prepared roads to Balakot and Naran where landslides have further caused difficulties to the relief convoys.
Most of the homeless are living in tents and temporary sheds made of plastic, tin and wood.
Providing relief supplies and shelter has gained added urgency as temperatures plummet in the region and freezing rain and snow blanket the area, raising concerns that the main road to Tithwal may be blocked.
“This road is our lifeline. One heavy snowfall closes it for two to four months,” said Khalid Mehmood, a school-teacher in Tangdar, 160 kilometers (99 miles) north of Srinagar.
Residents along with the army and state government are trying to build stocks of food and other supplies for the winter months, but say it is a race against time. “This year winter stocking has not been completed so far due to earthquake,” Mehmood said.
— Additional input from Agencies
