Survivors’ misery yet to end

Mismanagement in distribution of Watan cards, anomalies in the affected peoples’ list furthers survivors' misery.

PESHAWAR: Though the floods are over, the miseries of those affected are yet to end -- thanks to the mismanagement in distribution of Watan cards and anomalies in the affected peoples’ list.

Thousands from different parts of the provincial metropolis swarm to the Government Higher Secondary School No.1 in Peshawar to collect their Watan cards, but are disappointed to find that their names are not on the lists.

Similarly, those who had received the cards found that they were not accepted by the automated teller machines (ATMs).

Younas, a sanitation worker in the district government, told The Express Tribune that he hasn’t been able to get compensation amount, though he goes to the patwari’s office every day.

Younas, a resident of Hassan Ghari, said that the patwari had enlisted him for compensation during the survey conducted following the floods, but when he goes to his office, he says that his name is not on the computerised list.

“My home was situated on the banks of River Budhni in the provincial capital and destroyed by the raging waters, everyone is a witness to that but they say my name is not on the list,” he lamented.

Noor Mohammad, another resident of the area, said that he was not able to get any money despite having received his Watan card two weeks ago. “The bank transaction receipt from the ATM shows that my card is deactivated, how can this be I haven’t even used it once,” he said.

Lack of information is a major problem for many who visit this centre on a daily basis. Most of those visiting the centre are not aware of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) verification services. NADRA informs them about their card status after sending their national identity card number on 9888.

When another resident, Karam Dad, was asked why he had not checked the status of his card on the verification service, he said that he could not use a mobile and did
not know about any such service.

Apart from those who have been affected by the floods, two internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Orakzai Agency were also found at the centre in the hopes that they would get some assistance. However, they were told that this centre was only for those affected by the floods.

When contacted a Revenue Department official told The Express Tribune that people lacked information about the whole process.

“we will launch an awareness campaign for these people,” the official said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2010.