ISLAMABAD: Lt-Gen Haroon Aslam on Wednesday assumed charge as deputy chairman of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra). Gen Aslam replaced Lt-Gen Sajjad Akram, who retired on May 1.

Interestingly, Erra’s first deputy chairman Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed, who was serving as Corps Commander Mangla, also retired the same day and is all set to take over as chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in place of Lt-Gen (retired) Farooq Ahmed Khan whose term expired last month.

After assuming the charge, Gen Aslam expressed his determination to accomplish the task assigned to him.

He said reconstruction work in the earthquake affected areas had gained momentum. He vowed to take all possible steps to complete the projects within the stipulated time.

Gen Aslam termed the task of heading Erra as the most noble and challenging one, as the people who suffered from the disaster looked at the authority as a catalyst of change.

Meanwhile, in his first meeting with Erra officials, he emphasised the need for active liaison with stakeholders and international partners, and hinted at a more proactive approach aiming at evolving a system to meet deadlines.

Terming the media a partner in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, Gen Aslam said media being a critical eye needed to be taken on board on whatever Erra was doing.

The deputy chairman is likely to visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in near future.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/6/2010