Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Pakistan military forces have been taking part in the relief operations to bring food and aid to the cyclone-hit areas of East Pakistan. Both air and ground forces have been engaged in the massive operation to provide relief to the cyclone and tidal wave-hit areas of East Pakistan along the bay of Bengal where more than 200,000 people died and millions made homeless.

The operations carried out by Pakistan military authorities last month included flying of blankets to Bhola by Army helicopters. The helicopters took on supplies in Dacca and then flew south to the disaster-hit areas.

Pakistani troops also brought flat-bottomed boats to the island-dotted regions around Patuakhali -- one of the worst-hit areas. The boats will help move supplies close in-shore in locations where few other forms of transport can effectively be used.

Pakistan Air Force Hercules transport aircraft have been flying relief missions over the hard-hit areas, dropping supplies for villagers. The supplies are loaded at Dacca airport and the large aircraft fly over the affected areas and the supplies are dropped by parachute to the villages and compounds below.

The Pakistani Government last week approved an 860 million Rupee (78 million Pound Sterling) master plan for rehabilitation of survivors of the tidal wave disaster. The mammoth relief plan also envisages rebuilding of wrecked islands and coastal areas.

President Yahya Khan has reiterated that Pakistan's general elections will go ahead as planned on December 7, except in nine ravaged constituencies in the disaster area. Polling there is postponed for a few weeks. There are 1,570 candidates contesting the 300 seats in what will be Pakistan's first elected Parliament since martial law was proclaimed in the country in 1958.