Local government of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) has decided to rebuild the quake-destroyed town of Balakot at Bakrial, near the old site but away from major seismic fault line, state-run APP news Agency reported Monday.

Balakot, a town that was once home to nearly 300,000 people, was located some 220 km north of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. It was one of the areas worst hit by earthquake on Oct. 8, 2005.

The provincial government made the decision after two meetings with people's representatives and elders of the affected areas, said Sardar Muhammed Idrees, NWFP Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.

The government would ensure that identity and traditional construction of Balakot maintained in the new town to be built at Bakrial, according to the official.

Residents of former Balakot would be provided with soft loans to restart their businesses which were destroyed in the massive quake, he said.

The government will organize training camps in the quake- affected areas to help people rebuild their houses, the official said.

Source: Xinhua