Japan offers $20m, helicopters

Published October 12, 2005

TOKYO, Oct 11: Japan said on Tuesday that it would offer $20 million and was ready to dispatch several transport helicopters and dozens of troops to assist with relief efforts in the earthquake disaster zone.

“The Self-Defence Force is planning to send around 100 or more troops to Pakistan with a few transport helicopters” in response to President Pervez Musharraf’s plea for help, a defence agency official said.

Cuban President Fidel Castro, in a letter to President Musharraf released by official media in Havana, offered to send 200 doctors to Pakistan to help treat victims of the earthquake.

He said the doctors would be ready to leave for Pakistan within 24 hours.

Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, in a condolence message, expressed deep sorrow and grief with President Musharraf over the devastation and loss of lives and extended deep sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families.

Two Egyptian military planes carrying relief goods are scheduled to reach Pakistan on Wednesday. Nepal offered $50,000 in relief and expressed sorrow over the deaths and destruction.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen sent his condolences to the leaders of three countries struck by the earthquake and pledged $60,000 in assistance.

Rescue teams from Germany, Turkey, Russia, the UK, France, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, China and Japan have been working in the affected areas for two days.—Agencies

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan outreach
Updated 11 Jan, 2025

Afghan outreach

Islamabad should stress stronger counterterrorism measures, yet also engage the Taliban high command in Kandahar as well as politicians in Kabul.
Fragile recovery
11 Jan, 2025

Fragile recovery

STATE Bank Governor Jameel Ahmed appears to be quite optimistic over recent economic gains. That is not unusual;...
Destination Europe
11 Jan, 2025

Destination Europe

THE country’s aviation authorities can rest a little easy. After a four-year banishment from European skies,...
E-governance
Updated 10 Jan, 2025

E-governance

Wishing for a viable e-governance system seems like a pipe dream when stable internet connectivity is not guaranteed.
Khuzdar rampage
Updated 10 Jan, 2025

Khuzdar rampage

Authorities must explain how terrorists were able to commandeer the area for eight hours.
Beyond wheelchairs
10 Jan, 2025

Beyond wheelchairs

THE KP government’s Rs370m assistance programme for persons with disabilities is a positive step, not only in ...