2005 earthquake: CJP sets off for Balakot to inspect rehabilitation work
Top court grills attorney general on utilisation of relief funds
The scene in Balakot post 2005 earthquake. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar set off on Wednesday for a road trip to Balakot city, Express News reported.
The decision came when a three-member bench, headed by the CJP, resumed hearing of a suo motu notice taken after residents of Balakot approached the top court claiming misuse of international donations received for rehabilitation of 2005 earthquake. Applicants were also directed to follow him on the trip to inspect the rehabilitation work.
Dwelling on the means of transport, Justice Nisar first inquired about the availability and fare of a helicopter. He remarked that the entire visit would be on his personal expense.
2005 earthquake: A tale of unfulfilled promises
During court proceedings, the top judge inquired about the progress of the earthquake-hit city. “Were the relief funds transferred into the national treasury?” he asked.
The additional attorney general informed the court that funds for planning and development are released by the ministry of finance. Observing that national and international aid poured in after the tragedy, the chief justice sought details of the utilisation of those funds and the total amount of funds received.
Justice Nisar remarked that while the finance ministry has reported that US$2.89 billion were collected from international donors, the number of local donors has not been submitted.
The CJP then took a spontaneous decision to visit Balakot. Adjourning court proceedings for the day, the bench left for a road trip to the city.
The aftermath of 2005 earthquake
Over a decade after the 2005 earthquake brought death and destruction, survivors of the calamity await rehabilitation promises to be fulfilled by the government.
Over 600,000 families were affected in the earthquake with an estimated 87,000 people killed and as many severely injured. About 600,000 houses, 6,000 schools and 800 health facilities were affected.
The government of former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf made claims of rehabilitation and support with elaborate plans and policies. It constituted dedicated institutions to expedite. Despite securing a donor commitment of $6 billion, progress on the rehabilitation work could not be seen.
Data until January 2017, collected by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) – a dedicated institution established in 2005 for fast-tracking rehabilitation – shows that nearly half of the total 5,723 schools are yet to be rebuilt.
Responding to the public frustration at the slow pace of rehabilitation, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government had announced reconstruction of 760 schools in the province. Initially, a total of Rs3.7 billion allocated - later increased to Rs8 billion in the 2014-15 budget.
The total expenditure reported until 2016-17 against the allocated budget line was Rs765.31 million - implying that in three years, the provincial government had used less than 10 per cent of the total funds worth Rs8 billion. At its current pace, it will take another 20 years for the government to simply allocate funds.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar set off on Wednesday for a road trip to Balakot city, Express News reported.
The decision came when a three-member bench, headed by the CJP, resumed hearing of a suo motu notice taken after residents of Balakot approached the top court claiming misuse of international donations received for rehabilitation of 2005 earthquake. Applicants were also directed to follow him on the trip to inspect the rehabilitation work.
Dwelling on the means of transport, Justice Nisar first inquired about the availability and fare of a helicopter. He remarked that the entire visit would be on his personal expense.
2005 earthquake: A tale of unfulfilled promises
During court proceedings, the top judge inquired about the progress of the earthquake-hit city. “Were the relief funds transferred into the national treasury?” he asked.
The additional attorney general informed the court that funds for planning and development are released by the ministry of finance. Observing that national and international aid poured in after the tragedy, the chief justice sought details of the utilisation of those funds and the total amount of funds received.
Justice Nisar remarked that while the finance ministry has reported that US$2.89 billion were collected from international donors, the number of local donors has not been submitted.
The CJP then took a spontaneous decision to visit Balakot. Adjourning court proceedings for the day, the bench left for a road trip to the city.
Apex court seeks report on 2005 quake victims' rehabilitation
The aftermath of 2005 earthquake
Over a decade after the 2005 earthquake brought death and destruction, survivors of the calamity await rehabilitation promises to be fulfilled by the government.
Over 600,000 families were affected in the earthquake with an estimated 87,000 people killed and as many severely injured. About 600,000 houses, 6,000 schools and 800 health facilities were affected.
The government of former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf made claims of rehabilitation and support with elaborate plans and policies. It constituted dedicated institutions to expedite. Despite securing a donor commitment of $6 billion, progress on the rehabilitation work could not be seen.
Data until January 2017, collected by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) – a dedicated institution established in 2005 for fast-tracking rehabilitation – shows that nearly half of the total 5,723 schools are yet to be rebuilt.
Responding to the public frustration at the slow pace of rehabilitation, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government had announced reconstruction of 760 schools in the province. Initially, a total of Rs3.7 billion allocated - later increased to Rs8 billion in the 2014-15 budget.
The total expenditure reported until 2016-17 against the allocated budget line was Rs765.31 million - implying that in three years, the provincial government had used less than 10 per cent of the total funds worth Rs8 billion. At its current pace, it will take another 20 years for the government to simply allocate funds.