SIALKOT, Oct 26: Hundreds of migrants from the quake-hit areas of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir and NWFP are arriving in various parts of Sialkot and Narowal districts.

Reports said dozens of quake-affected families have shifted to the houses of their relatives in the two districts, while those having no place to stay are compelled to live under the open sky.

The respective district governments have made no arrangements to house the migrants whose number is increasing. The influx of homeless people, if not handled properly, can create many social and civic problems.

Talking to journalists on Wednesday, several migrants said they preferred to stay here even in open than living in the devastated cities under fear of dying due to cold or some disease.

Some of them thanked their relatives who welcomed them warmly in a hard time, and said they would stay here till the complete rehabilitation of the quake-hit areas.

Their local hosts also expressed solidarity with the migrants and vowed to support them at any cost.

Meanwhile, the local business community is bearing the cost of treatment of the dozens of the seriously injured survivors admitted to Sialkot CMH and various government hospitals in Daska, Sambrial, Pasrur, Shakargarh and Narowal.

APPROVAL: The government has approved a comprehensive programme of main roads’ infrastructure development and construction of various new link and main roads in Sialkot.

The Punjab government has allocated a huge grant for the mega project.

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