Over 60,000 army men involved in Pakistan's relief operation
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Aug 21, IRNA -- Over 60,000 army personnel and officers have been deployed in floods-hit areas across Pakistan for rescue and relief operations, army spokesman said Friday.
Major General Athar Abbas told reporters that the army has distributed 13,00 tons of food items among the affected people from its own reserves.
He said that 45 army helicopters are working in floods-hit areas in the northwest Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces as well as northern areas of Gilgit Baltistan.
He said that friendly countries, with whom Pakistan army has contacts, have provided 8 helicopters which are also operating in the affected areas. General Abbas said that the army provides food to 150,000 affected people daily. These items are dropped by helicopters and transported in trucks, he added. The army has also set up camps in some big cities and people donate relief items and the army personnel then distribute the goods among the affected people in different areas.
He said that there are difficulties in providing food to people in several areas in Kohistan in northwest Pakistan as some areas still cut off as the Karakrum Highway, and brides have been affected.
He said that Pakistan army is also using C-130 military aircraft for delivery of food, adding that distribution is weak in some areas which will be stepped up.
When asked about reports that banned groups are active in relief activities, the army spokesman said that there are clear orders that banned outfits are not allowed to work and their camps and banners will be removed. But welfare organizations, and groups affiliated with political parties and social groups are allowed to work in floods-hit areas.
To a question regarding the concern by Western nations that army involvement in floods activities can harm anti-terror war, General Abbas said that the army’s involvement in relief operation will not affect the anti-terror war. “But it is the first priority of the army to save the people as it is a big disaster. We are aware that terrorist group or terrorists may take advantage of the situation and the army has clear instructions to they have taken safeguards”.
He said army is currently engaged in operation in Orakzai tribal agency, adding that the army will re-focus on its anti-terror offensive after the emergency floods relief operation is completed in two to three weeks.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 1289229
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