Taking serious note of extremist outfits carrying out quake relief operations, the US today asked Pakistani government to seek the help of NGOs for speeding up the activities in the affected areas.US ambassador to Pakistan Rian C Crocker, who expressed concern over relief activities of banned ‘Jehadi’ organisations, also pointed out that ‘Jamaat Dawa’ is the new name of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistan-based terror outfit behind the recent New Delhi blasts and the 2001, December 13 attack on Indian Parliament. The government should not allow these organisations to carry out relief activities in these areas, Crocker said, according to private GEO television.‘‘Instead, the government should seek the help of NGOs for speeding up relief activities,’’ he said.The Ambassador appreciated the relief operations conducted by the Pakistan Army. He said US helicopters will perform relief operation duties throughout the winter season, adding they have been mandated for it.He clarified that NATO has not given any deadline to the US forces regarding their stay in Pakistan. No time frame of 90 days for relief operation has been given, he added.He said the US has pledged $510 million for the help of quake survivors, adding that the whole amount is grants not loan adding that $180 million has already been given and rest of the amount will be released shortly. He hoped that the international community will continue to help Pakistan for mitigating the agonies of quake affected people.
