The visiting team called on NWFP Chief Minister Mohammad Akram Khan Durrani in Frontier House Abbottabad and conveyed him the message of Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and people of Punjab, expressing sentiments of sympathies and solidarity with the earthquake victims.
The Ministers in their meeting with the NWFP Chief Minister said the government and people of Punjab shared equally grief and sorrow of their brethren of NWFP in this hour of test and misery.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed informed the NWFP Chief Minister that the Punjab government was establishing a 50-bed hospital in Bala Kot.
In this regard, on the instructions of Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, medical and surgical equipment for the hospital and teams of doctors and para medical staff had been sent to the tremor-affected area.
The facility of major operations as well as routine medical treatment would also be available in this hospital, he added.
Dr Tahir Ali Javed also assured all possible technical assistance to the NWFP government for reconstruction and revival of health facilities and infrastructure in affected areas.
Provincial Education Minister Mian Imran Masood on this occasion apprised the NWFP Chief Minister about details of co-operation in education sector.
Food Minister Chaudhry Mohammad Iqbal said that the supply of flour to the affected areas of NWFP would continue according to the requirements. The Ministers team during the meeting informed the NWFP Chief Minister that Punjab government had established tent village near Fateh Jang for earthquake victims where the affected families were being properly looked after.
They also briefed the Chief Minister about "Adopt One Family" Programme of Punjab Chief Minister under which 100,000 affected families would be adopted by affluent citizens and every affected family would be provided Rs 6000/- per month for one year.
NWFP Chief Minister Mohammad Akram Khan Durrani specially showed his gratitude and thanked Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and people of Punjab for their prompt response and a generous assistance to the affected people of his province.
He also lauded the spirit of the ministers, who preferred to celebrate Eid with the earthquake-hit people instead of remaining with their own families, which reflected their sympathies and love that they have for Frontier province.
He said that the Ministers of Health and Education of NWFP would outline the details of assistance and co-operation by holding a special meeting with their counter parts of the Punjab government keeping in view needs and requirements in this respect.
Mohammad Akram Khan Durrani informed that death of 30,000 people had so far been confirmed due to earthquake in NWFP and 8000 people were still missing.
The visiting ministers' said that it was the decision of Punjab Cabinet that a team of ministers should observe Eid with the earthquake victims of Azad Kashmir and NWFP to represent people of Punjab on this occasion and express sentiments with the affected families.
Later, the Ministers visited Pir Abdul Qayum Shah Relief Camp at village Data in Mansehra and distributed Eid gifts among children and relief goods, including flour and medicine there. They also assured to establish a dispensary there. Meanwhile, Punjab Cabinet members also visited Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad and inquired about the health of injured patients admitted there and distributed gifts among them.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed, who is also a specialist doctor, examined some of children admitted there in the hospital and discussed with concerned doctors about their treatment.
Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad Medical Superintendent Dr Zafeer, DMS Dr Iftikhar and Dr Ali Jadoon briefed the Ministers team about the details of the medical treatment given to the injured persons.
Cabinet team also visited relief camp established adjacent to Ayub Medical Complex and distributed Eid gifts, flour and relief goods among the earthquake victims.
The Ministers mixed up with children and affected people in the camp and shared grief and sentiments with them. They also had lunch with the victims in the camp. While chatting with the Ministers, the victims said that they were glad to see Ministers of Punjab among them and their spirit and morale was further raised with their presence in the moment of tragedy.
They also informed that Punjab and Cuba doctors' volunteer teams were busy day and night in the camp for extending medical treatment and help to the victims.