Declare emergency in ‘agri, health sectors’ in flooded areas, urges JI

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Sirajul Haq said on Sunday that Pakistan did not drown in floods but it was drowned by the big industrialised countries through their contribution to climate change and global warming.

Addressing a national seminar on rehabilitation of the flood victims, organised by the JI in the federal capital, Haq suggested that Pakistan should raise this issue at the United Nations Security Council in order to redress the flood losses.

He also called for waiving Pakistan’s debt by international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The UN Secretary-General [Antonio Guterres] is with us [on this issue],” he added.

Haq warned of hunger and famine in the flood-affected areas because the people had lost everything and they might not be able to cultivate the next crop. He suggested the declaration of an “agricultural and health” emergency in the affected areas.

The JI chief pointed out that the people did not trust the government machinery in the aid distribution, while the federal and provincial governments were not on the same page regarding the rehabilitation of the flood victims.

“For aid distribution, committees, consisting of civil society members and the local elders, should be established,” he said, adding that the JI would form a watch group soon after calling a national consultative conference on the rehabilitation process.

Haq lamented that the people were drowning but one politician was worried about the appointment of the next army chief while the other was worried about the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases. “Our [genuine] problem now is 3.5 million flood victims.”

Haq also criticised the successive governments for ignoring the plight of the country’s infrastructure. “We have the largest irrigation system in the world, but it looks like dirty drains. None of the 34 barrages of the country were upgraded.”

The JI chief mentioned the difference among the provinces in the water distribution, adding that “we have not learned anything” from the situation. He demanded that the formula for water distribution should be agreed upon.

He warned that if timely measures were not taken, there was a danger of famine in Pakistan, which would lead to crimes,

“Wheat sowing season is coming. Therefore, an agriculture emergency should be declared to drain floodwaters,” he said. “Apart from providing free seeds and fertiliser to the flood victims, the government should waive electricity bills for six months in the affected areas.”

Haq said that 1,460 health centres and hospitals had been destroyed in the affected areas. The water is polluted, the stench is getting stronger and become difficult to breathe. A health emergency should also be declared immediately.

Speaking at the seminar, the Al-Khidmat Foundation Pakistan President Muhammad Abdul Shakoor demanded of the government to issue a national policy for the complete rehabilitation of flood victims.

Shakoor stressed that the rehabilitation of the flood victims could be ensured through the donations of the country’s rich. He added that committees, comprising notable people, should be formed to convince the rich elite to join the rehabilitation process.

He stressed the need for “visionary leadership” for the resettlement of the victims. “We will give a policy but the government should also announce a national policy for the rehabilitation of the flood victims,” Shakoor told the seminar participants.

Shakoor said that there would be transparency aid distribution because of international pressure. “The international community wants transparency in the distribution of financial aid,” he said. “The foundation is ready to support the country in every way,” he added.