With state seems still not serious about playing its role in rehabilitation of earthquake affectees, Pakistan is observing 7th anniversary of Oct 8, 2005 earthquake.
According to The News Tribe corresponding in capital Islamabad, about 7,83,587 houses were destroyed in the devastating calamity that had hit Khyberpukhtoonkhwa (KP), Pakistan held Kashimir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad seven years back.
A highly placed source in Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority, established for rehabilitation of quake victims, told The News Tribe that non-provision of required budget was the real reason behind suspension of restoration work.
The same authority was given the task to rebuild destroyed houses and shops as well as rehabilitating the victims for which funds were provided both by world community and Pakistan government. Similarly local NGOs had carried out relief activities as per their resources.
After passage of seven years of the incident only 62 percent projects have been completed in quake-hit areas while 38 percent still await to be carried out.
At the time of beginning, according to ERRA official, authority’s budget was Rs. 30 to 35 billion annually which has been reduced to only Rs. 2 billion annually during the present regime.
Margalla Towers, the sky scrapper in the capital, razed by quake is a symbol of state seriousness and ERRA’s priority. The debris still lying around the towers painting a picture of garbage spot.
“If we carry out uplifting works with Rs. 2 billion annual budget, it would take another 10 years to complete the restoration works,” ERRA officials noted.
According to a precise estimate and research by Independent UK-based News Website The News Tribe, ERRA needs a huge amount of Rs. 70 billion to commence work on restoration of the infrastructure.
Blog post Written by Shahid Abbasi and You can visit the original article at http://www.thenewstribe.com/