"I appeal to the world to increase support to Pakistan before winter creates more problems in the quake-hit areas," Stoltenberg told reporters after talks with Pakistani premier Shaukat Aziz.

"(The) international community needs to mobilise more resources to help the families," he said, announcing that Norway would double its relief funding to 78 million dollars.

Aziz thanked Stoltenberg for the increase and for visiting Pakistan.

Stoltenberg, who is on a three-day visit to the country, also flew to quake-hit Pakistani towns Balakot and Garhi Habibullah which were devastated by the massive 7.6 earthquake.

In Balakot, Stoltenberg met local residents and assured them of his country's full support in helping rehabilitate the area.

The October 8 earthquake, the worst in Pakistan's history, killed nearly 74,000 people in Pakistani Kashmir and parts of the country's North West Frontier Province.

Pakistan has received pledges of aid totalling 6.2 billion dollars.

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