SC seeks details of flood relief in Sindh

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Sindh government to present details of the flood relief activities and sought replies from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the district disaster management authorities.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial heard the case related to the provision of relief to the flood victims. The Chief Justice of Pakistan said that the flood issue did not pertain to the administrative powers rather it was a fundamental right of the people.

During the hearing, the Sindh advocate general informed the court that citizens committees had been formed to monitor relief activities. However, the chief justice said that the court would not interfere in relief activities.

The chief justice added that the Sindh High Court’s (SHC) orders for monitoring of the relief activities was in public interest. He also said that the provincial government would have to satisfy the court that the work was being carried out for the people.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government sought one week's time to submit its reply. On that Faisal Siddiqui, the lawyer for the flood victims expressed surprise that a week’s time was being sought in this age of technology. “People are dying in flood-hit areas,” Siddiqui told the court.

The lawyer’s remarks irked the advocate general. He quipped that there was no death due to the delay in getting the answer. With instructions to file the replies, the court adjourned further hearing of the case until October 20.