Pakistan unsure about India's offer for flood aid

Pakistani flood affected villagers move to safer areas in Muzaffargarh, Pakistan on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010. Fever, stomach problems and skin diseases are spreading among Pakistani flood victims, officials said Friday, adding another dimension of danger to a crisis that could get even worse, with the U.N. warning that dams in the south may burst.AP

India's offer for flood relief was made by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna in a telephonic conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Dawn reported.

Krishna described the offer as a "gesture of solidarity with the people of Pakistan in their hour of need", a statement issued by the Indian High Commission here said Friday.
Sources in the Pakistan foreign ministry said India's offer was being considered.
"We have not rejected the offer outright and a decision would be made soon," a senior official said.

Pakistan is grappling with its worst ever floods that left over 1,600 people dead and affected over 14 million people. A media report put the total economic loss due to floods at around $2.92 billion (Rs.250 billion).

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will arrive in Islamabad Saturday to assess relief and rescue work in the flood-hit country.

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