Watan card recipients denied compensation

Flood survivors protest outside CM's house in Gilgit holding Watan cards that did not work.

GILGIT: Dozens of angry flood survivors protested on Monday outside the Chief Minister’s House in Gilgit holding Watan cards in their hands after they could not withdraw any money as part of the compensatory scheme.

“We have been informed by banks that there is no money in the Watan card account. It means the government has not transferred money to banks yet,” said one of the protesters. Most of them had come to Gilgit from remote rural areas, hoping to get some cash.

According to sources, more than 2,500 Watan cards have so far been distributed in the region and more are being delivered.

Protesters, who were well over 50 in number, said that the government had asked them to draw the money on November 4, but they cannot withdraw any money because there is none in the card’s account.

“I have spent Rs3,000 just to come here from Ghizer. I was hoping to get my Watan card money. But the scheme seems to be in trouble itself,” said a protester.

Protesters then called on the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Raziuddin, and informed him about their plight. “Surely, this is cheating and we must take note of it. I want to assure you that I am with you,” he said, adding that he will ask officials concerned reasons behind this issue.

The protesters then managed to get hold of the region’s finance minister, Mohammad Ali Akhtar, and apprised him of the situation. He assured them that the matter would be resolved soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2010.