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Pak quake toll could exceed 1,00,000

     Islamabad: Though official sources put the death toll in the earthquake at 23,000, it is feared that the exact number of casualties might be more than one lakh. Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told media persons that the earthquake claimed the lives of nearly 23,000 people, injured 51,000 and rendered more than 2.5 million homeless. However, quoting unofficial sources, The News reported that the exact death toll might exceed one lakh. Admitting that many areas were still inaccessible, he said two Pakistan Army divisions had been moved to the quake-hit areas. They would help and coordinate with relief work with soldiers present in the areas, he added. Identifying five priority areas, he they included the provision of food, tents, blankets, medicine and construction material and equipment to the victims. He also said thousands of homes destroyed by the earthquake would be rebuilt. Aziz said that so far more than 300 million dollars had been pledged by foreign companies and international donor agencies, while donations from domestic sources had reached Rs 600 million. He didn't rule out accepting aid from India, saying that Pakistan had no problem in receiving relief goods from India, "subject to its needs".