Khurshid Shah. PHOTO: PID
On his visit to Upper Dir on Tuesday, Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Khurshid Shah said relief packages provided by the government for earthquake victims in the Malakand Division were insufficient.
“An amount of Rs0.2 million is not enough for the reconstruction of a house,” he said while addressing a gathering at the Government Higher Secondary School in Wari tehsil, Upper Dir.
“One cannot even make a washroom with this amount.” He added that instead of focusing on other development projects at the moment, the government should prioritise the rehabilitation of the affected people and areas.
“Projects like those for the metro bus and motorway are important, but a crisis has to be given more prominence.”
Shah also lashed out at the government, saying it was being unjust. The MNA quoted the example of Balochistan and said that the province is producing 90% of the country’s natural gas, but is given a minor proportion, resulting in a sense of deprivation among the people.
From the south
Shah also visited Chitral where he announced food and non-food items for the victims of the quake on behalf of the Sindh government.
Shah was accompanied by former information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, former speaker Faisal Karim Kundi and others. They were taken to the Chitral deputy commissioner’s office where DC Osama Waraich briefed them about the destruction caused by the disaster. Waraich said 34 people died in the district while 20,000 were rendered homeless after tremors jolted most parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “There are still some victims present in the district who have not gotten relief items from the government.”
The delegation from Sindh was also asked for wheat at subsidised rates for the people of Chital. It was also told that the destruction of the Golain Hydel Project during the floods broke down the electricity system and steps were needed for regular supply. Officials in Chitral also urged that the Lowari Tunnel be opened three days a week.
After listening to the issues, Shah announced the provision of 10,000 sacks of wheat and three diesel generators on behalf of the Sindh government.
While addressing a gathering outside the DC office, Shah said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had promised the wheat at subsidised rates for the people of Chitral. “Since this has not happened, I will remind the PM about his promise when I go to Islamabad.
The delegation will also visit Lower Dir, Buner, Shangla and other areas on Wednesday (today).
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2015.
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