Pakistan's president appeals for international aid

President General Pervez Musharraf today appealed to the international community to assist Pakistan with quake relief, the country’s state-run news agency reported.

Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Musharraf as saying Pakistan needed medicine, tents, cargo helicopters and financial assistance to help survivors of the 7.6-magnitude quake that devastated parts of Pakistan and India, killing thousands.

“We do seek international assistance. We have enough manpower, but we need financial support,” Musharraf said.

He said supplies were needed “to reach out to the people in far-flung and cut-off areas”.

Musharraf spoke in Rawalpindi, a city near the capital, Islamabad, before leaving on a tour of quake-devastated areas.