SC seeks details of earthquake funds

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) to submit details of funds collected for 2005 earthquake relief work and summoned the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and the relief work secretary.

A three-member SC bench comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the case filed by Prof Ibrahim Khan against ERRA regarding funds received from the donor countries for the earthquake in 2005.

The court asked how much funds were collected for rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected areas and how much funds, generated at the national and international levels, were spent on the relief work. It also enquired how much funds remained and which institution was keeping these funds.

The ERRA director informed the court that Rs205 billion had been spent on population development projects for the victims in Balakot and Mansehra. However, Justice Ahsan sought the auditor general’s report about the expenditure.

The earthquake in Pakistan took place in 2005, after which the victims were promised support in the rebuilding of their homes and lives in New Balakot City. The court summoned the chief secretary and relief work secretary and adjourned the hearing of the case for a month.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)