ISLAMABAD, Oct 12: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday assured full assistance of the US government in the earthquake relief effort, announcing that her country would provide more helicopters and equipment for opening blocked roads and removing debris in inaccessible areas.

Talking to reporters at the PM House after holding separate meetings with President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during her brief stay in Islamabad, the US secretary of state said that her country was already providing financial and logistic support to Pakistan in the rescue effort, and it would continue its cooperation in the reconstruction of the devastated areas.

Accompanied by Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, Ms Rice said that responding to the urgent needs of Pakistan, the US had already provided “immediate cash and logistic support” to the country.

She said the US helicopters were already in action in Pakistan and taking part in the relief operation in inaccessible areas. “Our militaries are working together,” she said, adding: “We will be with you, not today, but forever.”

Ms Rice said that during her meetings with the president and the prime minister, she had inquired about the immediate needs of Pakistan. She said the US would provide tents, blankets, medicines, water purification plants and machinery to remove rubble.

She said the US and Pakistan were good friends and this friendship was not only between the governments, but it existed between the people of the two countries.

She said the American people had been deeply saddened and wanted to stand by the people of Pakistan at a time when the country had been hit by its worst-ever natural calamity. She also urged the international community to help Pakistan generously in this critical time.

She said the US had the realization that the rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected people was a big task and the US government and the American people would be with the people of Pakistan in this difficult time.

Ms Rice left the PM House after making a brief statement without taking any question from reporters.

Later, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz came there and held a press conference. He said that special teams from the US were arriving soon to assist Pakistan in the opening of blocked roads in the areas beyond Balakot.

He stressed the need for intensifying the rescue operation as winter season was also knocking at the door. In fact, he said, they had even received news of first snowfall in some areas.

Mr Aziz said that efforts had been launched to open roads up to Neelum and Jhelum valleys to reach the affected areas. He said at present approximately 40 helicopters were taking part in the operation. He expressed the hope that the situation would improve very soon.

He said that Japan was also sending helicopters to Pakistan to take part in the relief operation. He claimed that 50 per cent telephones and electricity supply had been restored in Muzaffarabad.

The prime minister said that Pakistan had received a good response from the world community and the foreign countries had already pledged some $35 million dollars. Similarly, he said, Rs1 billion had already been deposited in the President’s Relief Fund.

Mr Aziz said that in the next few days, an Earthquake Rehabilitation Authority would be established to institutionalize efforts for the rehabilitation of the affected people.

He said the US was a close and an important friend of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan were touched with the visit of the US secretary of state.

Mr Aziz praised the role of the opposition and termed it constructive. He also lauded the decision of NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani to attend the National Security Council meeting.

Earlier, President Gen Pervez Musharraf received US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who was visiting Pakistan to convey the condolences and sympathies of President George Bush and the American people at the loss of life and destruction caused by the Oct 8 earthquake.

The president conveyed his thanks to the US government for the prompt assistance provided by the US for the relief work. The president informed Ms Rice about the nationwide relief and rehabilitation efforts being undertaken by the government of Pakistan.

It was an unplanned visit to show solidarity with Pakistan as it faces a tragedy of unprecedented magnitude.

Ms Rice held out the assurance that the US would work with Pakistan over the long-term and coordinate all possible resources, including those of the international community, to meet the challenges of reconstruction.

She said the American people had been deeply saddened and reiterated US commitment to stand by the people of Pakistan at a time when the country has been hit by its worst-ever natural calamity.