Pakistan says it will postpone the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the United States in order to provide more relief to victims of the devastating October 8 earthquake.
President Pervez Musharraf made the announcement Friday, during a tour of quake-hit areas. He said "We want to bring maximum relief and reconstruction efforts."
Mr. Musharraf had earlier said his country did not plan to cut into its defense budget to increase funds for relief efforts.
On Thursday, Jordan's Queen Rania, speaking on behalf of the U.N. children's fund, called for help to immunize Pakistani children against disease.
UNICEF officials say they are planning a measles vaccination program, and rescue workers also warned that cases of acute respiratory infection and diarrhea have been increasing.
Pakistan this week raised its death toll from the quake to more than 73,000.