EDITORIAL: Every passing day since last week-end’s deadly earthquake reveals a more grim picture of the devastation wrought by it with the death toll mounting and the area of destruction turning out to be wider than feared. But heart-rending as the tragedy is, it is heartening that the whole world is sharing the grief of the stricken populace with the government and people of Pakistan. Several Heads of State and Government have sent messages of sympathy and offers of support. Shah Faisal of Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in announcing a substantial donation of 10 million dollars. …

Evidently the first task still remains the saving of lives. The rushing of food, warm clothes and medical aid … occupies the top priority. So far as medical aid goes the PMA and Red Crescent are in the best position to undertake this task. … Once these rush jobs have been taken care of the task of rehabilitation will have to be tackled energetically. … Thousands of families must have been rendered utterly destitute … with their bread-winners gone, their hearts and homes wrecked. In order to infuse among them the will to live … dedication will have to be brought to bear on this project.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2025