Monsoon 2012: Stop protesting, start helping, says Sindh CM adviser

Maintains LG ordinance has diverted peoples’ attention from flood victims.

ISLAMABAD:

Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister for Relief Haleem Adil Sheikh on Wednesday flew to the federal capital to make an emphatic suggestion – stop protesting against the local government ordinance and pay attention to the problems of flood-affected people.

“The media has turned a blind eye towards the issue and has started focusing on the political activities of the province,” Sheikh told journalists, adding that the local government ordinance had diverted people from more pressing concerns.

The much-debated bill was passed in the Sindh Assembly on October 1 amid a wave of noisy protests and sit-ins by coalition partners and nationalist parties who feel it is an attempt to divide Sindh. Sheikh is a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), which is one of the ruling party’s coalition partners.

He maintained the recent spate of torrential rains had affected more than three million people and urged all political parties to assist the Sindh government in providing relief to victims.

He also accused PML-N of focusing more on publicity and “photo shoots” of relief activities rather than the actual task.

“Recent protests and strikes have become a stumbling block in relief operations. Our party has reservations over the ordinance too, but the majority’s opinion should be respected.” Sheikh said the general elections were only three months away and that the new government could undo the incumbent regime’s actions if it so desired.

“All those who are against this system can vote their members into power to bring a change.” Replying to a query, Sheikh told The Express Tribune that authorities concerned had not yet contacted parties protesting against the local government system.

He, however, stressed the relevant department would hold meetings soon to convince protesters to tone down their demonstrations and focus on helping flood victims instead.

“Yes, we will contact them in the next few days and ask them to open the routes which are vital for providing relief to the people, but have been blocked by protesters.”

As he cited strikes and protests as the reason behind the government’s inefficacy, it triggered a barrage of questions, which the adviser dodged by blaming Sindh’s nationalist parties.

He said the prime minister and chief minister had visited several stricken areas and announced separate relief packages, but admitted implementation at the lower level remained a cause for concern.

According to the adviser, 251 people have lost their lives while over 2,449 sustained serious injuries. In addition to that, hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland have been swamped, while thousands of cattle have also perished.

The government has already announced Rs300,000 each for families who have lost their members to the ravages of floodwater.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2012.