BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has urged Pakistan to overcome its differences with India to provide help in the wake of the Gujarat earthquake disaster.

Mr Pike, secretary of the all party parliamentary Pakistan group, extended his "sincere sympathy" to all those affected.

He asked international development secretary Clare Short, making a statement on the disaster to MPs: "Do you agree that there is an opportunity not only for the Commonwealth to respond positively, but for Pakistan, India's nearest neighbour, which is also affected, to work with India, despite those countries' differences, to tackle the tragedy?"

Mrs Short said: "You are right. If any help can be offered to Gujarat from Pakistan, I am sure that Pakistan would want to consider that. Your suggestion will have been heard and I am sure Pakistan will do what it can to help."

Mr Pike's message was echoed today by Burnley mayor Rafique Malik. He said he had always believed that much good would come if India and Pakistan settled their differences and spent far less on destructive war materials.

He said resources should be re-directed towards ridding the countries of poverty, deprivation and poor health.

Coun Malik, who was born in Pakistan, went on: "This tragedy creates a softening of hearts which could result in initiatives which could do an awful lot of good for humanity."

Another Burnley Asian community leader Coun Mozaquir Ali today criticised the Indian Government for failing to be geared up to tackle the disaster.