Addressing an impressive gathering of national and international journalists at Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli, Libya on August 30, 2010 Mr. Jamil Ahmed Khan, Pakistans Ambassador to Libya said timely and robust support of Libya to the victims of floods in Pakistan along with continuous and unceasing endeavours of Libyan altruistic organisations such as Gaddafi Foundation, WICS, Hilal Ahmar in extending their helping hands to Pakistan cope with the tragedy will go a long way in writing a new chapter in Pak-Libya relations.

Pakistan Stood for Libyan Independence in 1949

The Ambassador recounted that in 1949 Pakistan s foreign minister stood like a rock in the UN against giving regions of Libya in trusteeship for 10 years and demanded its independence, the fact which is dully recognised in Libyan intellectual and diplomatic circles even today.

He said a three member delegation of Libya , including the Secretary General of Libya s Liberation Council called on Pakistan s Ambassador in Cairo , Haji Abdus Sattar Seth, on June 20, 1950 and expressed their countrys gratitude to Pakistan for their support on international forums. At that time despite being under severe economic crunch itself Pakistan extended monitory assistance to newly independent Libya .

Glorious History of Mutual Relationship

The ambassador said Libya and Pakistan have a glorious history of mutual relationship at both government and people to people levels and presently along with the world community Libyan support for floods victims in Pakistan is highly appreciated.

He said, " Libya has opened a relief office in Peshawar and Libyan Hilal Ahmer is ready with relief goods and 171 truckloads of relief goods have been distributed by World Islamic Call Society (WICS) and Qadhafi Foundation." The Ambassador further said Libyan Chamber of Commerce and Business Council Libya have jointly opened an account (0026-734809-001) to collect funds in Libya .

Anti-human Sadist Elements Raise Such Doubts

Replying to a question regarding the fair utilization of relief funds, he said anti-human sadist elements raise such doubts out of proportion so that urgent help to suffering humanity can be marginalised. He also mentioned the Prime Minister's announcement of disaster management oversight council that would ensure transparency.

The world community has shown its confidence in the Pakistan government by meeting its pledges to initial rescue activities more urgently than in any such eventuality in the world in recent history though pledges for rehabilitation and re-construction are still in the offing and yet to be assessed. He added this phase is normally slow

Urgent Requirements of Pakistan

Highlighting the urgent requirements of Pakistan, the Ambassador said that presently flood victims require potable water, nutritious food for infants and children, tents and medicines to ward off the outbreak of diseases like cholera, diphtheria, diarrhoea,skin diseases, eyes infections, measles etc.

Replying to a questioner as to how long it will take for Pakistan to recover from this tragedy, he said with the help of the world community Pakistan, being a resilient nation, will be able to construct bridges, make roads, build houses and schools and strengthen embankments and completely overhaul Pakistans economic and communication system within three years.

"We have scientists, engineers, architects, technicians and machinists so that along with supple manpower Pakistan will overcome its difficulties sooner than all guesses. We need monetary help only temporarily and we will build a new Pakistan ," he said.

He told the gathering that assessment of the losses is being done by the World Bank and the Asian Bank in unison with the government of Pakistan and it might take another three weeks for the figures to come out. However, he said Pakistan roughly requires $ 3 billion immediately.

After the briefing the journalists were shown slides and small movies that highlighted the extensive damage the floods had done in Pakistan

Information

Continuous and unceasing endeavours of Libyan altruistic organisations such as Qadhafi Foundation, WICS, Hilal Ahmar in Pakistan are highly appreciated.

This is a news story that first appeared in the Suite101 Aug 31, 2010