Earthquake survivors: Protesters accuse local government of unfair distribution of aid

PPP threatens to continue protests, accuses officials of helping fake victims

BATKHELA/UPPER DIR: In a bid to get the relief promised by the government after the October 26 earthquake, survivors protested in Batkhela against irregularities in aid distribution. On the other hand, the district administration in Upper Dir faced harsh criticism by Pakistan Peoples Party leadership over its failure to provide necessary support to the affectees.

Dozens of people affected by the devastating earthquake in Agra, Batkhela protested in front of Malakand Press Club on Monday against alleged irregularities in distribution of aid by the administration. The victims were criticising local government officials and accused them of embezzling the fund allocated for providing relief.

Speaking on the occasion, former nazim Shafiq Ahmad said, “PTI’s district councillor, Ejaz Khan, acted poorly and provided aid to only 186 victims out of 920, leaving the others to live a miserable life without any shelter.” He blamed the government saying, “The aid amount was distributed on the basis of favouritism. Some individuals received up to five to six cheques for a single house, while others were not given a single cheque.”

The ex-nazim requested the prime minister, chief of army staff, K-P chief minister and other authorities to conduct an enquiry into the matter and provide aid
to the victims.

PPP speaks up

Pakistan Peoples Party’s former federal minister Najamudin Khan and ex-MPA Muhammad Anwar Khan threatened to continue protests till provision of aid to quake victims in Upper Dir.

Addressing a protest in Upper Dir, they said the government should carry out an investigation to determine whether the money has been properly distributed or not. They blamed the Upper Dir district government for failing to distribute money wisely. The politicians and protesters said genuine earthquake victims were replaced by pretenders.

A shutter-down protest in the district was announced in case the demands remain unmet.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st,  2015.