Awaran deserves better

The people of Awaran deserve a government response that puts the needs of the people first.

When it comes to development and communication infrastructure, few areas of Balochistan are more neglected and lacking in basic necessities than the earthquake-stricken Awaran. Houses are made of mud, there is no road leading up to the area and the district is not linked to the national grid. A power generator purchased by the provincial government in 1998 supplies electricity to some parts of Awaran but only for a couple of hours each day. The town truly epitomises the shoddy infrastructure of the province, where most of the towns lack basic facilities — from clean drinking water to electricity.

Recently, I interviewed the head of the United Nations in Pakistan. Citing the extreme poverty of the people in Awaran, he expressed keen interest in helping the Balochistan government with rebuilding efforts. Because the town is prone to earthquakes, he pledged to use UN expertise to rebuild houses and shelters. The offer was extended because the people are extremely poor and in need of earthquake-proof structures. But the UN has not been permitted to help these neglected people. And this fact suggests that something is really wrong in Balochistan; something that acceptance of the UN assistance might bring to light.

The state is not in a position to construct earthquake-proof houses and infrastructure in Awaran because it lacks the expertise and funds to do so.

The chief minister of Balochistan recently issued a statement admonishing the National Highway Authority for its failure to release funds earmarked for ongoing highway projects, which have remained unfinished for decades. Given this state of affairs, it is safe to assume that the promised rebuilding of the houses destroyed by the earthquake is little more than a pipe dream. The prime minister recently promised to either provide funds, or direct government institutions, to rebuild homes. I would propose that he instead accept the help of international aid agencies to rebuild the area.

Awaran drew international attention because of the devastating effects of the earthquake. Otherwise, it was just another neglected town with no facilities. Casting suspicion on the loyalty of the local people and barring international aid organisations from helping to alleviate their suffering will only further fuel the mistrust that already afflicts the region. The people of Awaran deserve better. They deserve a government response that puts the needs of the people first; even if that means accepting help from outside.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2013.