ISLAMABAD: The Government will consider a suggestion to have a National Assembly committee to oversee relief operations in the quake-devastated areas in the northern region, the House was told today [Jan 21]. In giving this assurance, the Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Mr Aziz Ahmed pointed out that the task proposed to be assigned to such a body was primarily an executive function `which we will happily discharge to the satisfaction of the stricken people and the generous donors`. ...

Suggestions for the House committee came from Opposition ... Members, including their Leader, Mr. Abdul Wali Khan. ...

The House was unanimous in thanking the friendly countries, particularly of the Muslim world, for their generous donations.

... The Treasury Benches ... refuted some criticism from Opposition Members who expressed doubts about the handling of relief material by Government functionaries. Rejecting the charges, Mr. Aziz Ahmed said: `It is not fair to the officers who are working under the most arduous conditions`.

... Earlier Opposition Leader Abdul Wali Khan called for establishing a [NA] committee to supervise the expenditure of every penny out of the relief funds.