Pakistan: First politics or flood relief

By Asmatullah Niazi

Islamabad: on 14th of august, the day when Pakistan got independence, main political rival of Pakistani government Nawaz SharifNawaz Sharif met Prime Minister yousuf raza gilani. Both announced to work together instead of Politics on Floods.

But it remains just announcement and photo session for media that filled pages of news papers and screens of TV networks. During their meeting both agreed to appoint clean flood relief commission or council to make the relief and fund collection efforts creditable and clean from the corruption.

Till date no such council has been established, that was agreed between the two rival parties of Pakistani Politics

Pakistani federal government instead of formation of consensus flood relief commission,yesterday announced National Oversight Disaster Management Council, despite having Disaster management authority which handled 2005 earthquake.

Lots of questions are being raised on lackluster approach by the Pakistani government by not forming agreed council, when 20 million people who have been displaced due to worst floods in the recent history of Pakistan. War of word can be seen in any news paper or Television network both the parties clarifying the idea and formation of flood relief commission, ignoring agonies and pains of flood victim.

According to one Pakistani news paper the idea was sabotaged by one very powerful man on the top civil setup as PM Gilani is one help less man; on the other hand nwaz sharif is still hopeful for the establishment of council consisting of clean people.

Now even people and philanthropist who want to help the victims are so confused where to done funds are relief goods as they don’t find creditable direction. Prime Minister Gilani has established flood relief fund but till date the figure of collection has not been announced. Media reports suggest the fund is not receiving enough funds.

The daughter of President Zardari Bakhtawar Bhutu Zardari is also collecting funds in the name of flood victims, and reportedly she has collected 114 million in 4 days but having separate account for it. Mostly donors of this fund are government owned agencies organizations authorities and banks. People of Pakistan are question as to why she is not raising funds for the prime minister Relief fund, and why a separate activity for fund raising when movements credibility is already under question.