File photo of Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch. PHOTO: FILE
The move to bar international humanitarian organisations from quake-hit areas is causing serious problems in Awaran. Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch said that the relief and rescue operations are almost over but, according to the doctors in Awaran, there outbreak of fatal diseases is apprehended.
Balochistan CM has said that he had sent a letter to federal government seeking permission to issue ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) to International aid organisations and United Nations (UN) agencies to carry out relief and rehabilitation work in earthquake affected areas.
“I hope Islamabad will soon allow international aid agencies from such friendly countries as Turkey, Muscat, Oman and Germany who have already offered assistance to carry out rehabilitation in Balochistan,” Malik Baloch told the media.
However, there has not been any development so far to the request of CM.
It is reported that state-sponsored and religious aid organisations are allowed to carry out relief and rehabilitation work in the quake-hit district of Awaran, an epicentre of insurgency where Baloch militant leader Dr Allah Nazar is prominently active.
The President of Al Khidmat Foundation Mohammad Asim Sanjirani confirmed that the government has granted permission to aid organisations that have affiliation with religious groups.
“Al Khidmat Foundation has been engaged in relief operations since the very first day of the earthquake,” Sanjirani told reporters at Quetta Press Club.
During his press conference, Sanjirani said that more than 500 people have died and 1,000 remain injured because of the earthquake. “So far relief operations are inadequate and it will be more difficult during winter,” Sanjirani further opined.
The main reason for inadequate relief is lack of infrastructure, roads and clean drinking water. The foundation president said, adding that there are towns that are inaccessible via vehicles and people are living in worst conditions.
Hospitals have received children suffering from trauma, malaria, anxiety and gastroenteritis said Dr Mohammed Asif who is currently based at Awaran district hospital. “Multiple cases are being reported and children below the age of five are vulnerable to these fatal diseases,” he further added.
Sanjirani admitted that Frontier Corps (FC) is storing relief items near its check posts and not allowing people to transport it to affected areas.
“FC stops everyone carrying relief items and want to carry out relief operation under its supervision,” said Sanjirani, adding “Many organisations have given relief items to Al-Khidmat Foundation. However, the FC stops loaded vehicles at its check posts.”
Talking to The Express Tribune, FC Balochistan spokesperson Dr Wasay Khan contradicted that FC is a hindrance in relief and rehabilitation operations.
“There is a serious issue of law and order in Awaran which is why paramilitary troops stop loaded trucks in order to provide them security,” Khan said.
He said FC has nothing to do with barring international humanitarian organizations from the area since it is the matter of political government’s jurisdiction.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2013.
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ET since when your reports benefited Pakistan last time??? Usually the Indian Media tell us that Al Khidmat is sponsored by the State Of Pakistan but other than that Ordinary Pakistanis know that Organizations like Al Khidmat have huge support base around Pakistan and they are being funded by the people of Pakistan and not by the state. Even the UN acknowledged the efforts of Al Khidmat in the Kashmir earthquake.
I never saw such reports on Indian websites where they would bash their own government and forcefully make their connections with some Organizations but thanks to Pakistani media outlets who always prove that News Sensations comes first rather than the National Interests on the name of Fake Independence in media.