Rain-induced floods have caused widespread destruction, submerging villages and towns, ruining crops and killing hundreds of people in both halves of the scenic state.
In a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif floated the proposal of closer coordination between the two countries in disaster management. He also offered condolences over the loss of lives in Indian Kashmir.
Replying to a letter written by the Indian prime minister, Nawaz said it was an unfortunate reality that South Asia remains one of the most disaster-prone regions of the world.
“As we chart a course to advance our common goals of peace and stability, we must also focus on addressing the deeper causes of recurrent floods and on strengthening the preparedness and resilience of our communities against natural calamities.
I believe closer collaboration in disaster management should be a part of our agenda of peace and development in the region,” he stated in the letter.
“I gratefully acknowledge your letter of September 7, conveying deep sympathies for the people affected in Pakistan by unprecedented monsoon rains and consequent flooding. The offer for assistance in our relief efforts is equally thoughtful. Such solidarity in the face of adversity is indeed valuable,” Nawaz added.
The prime minister said he was anguished to see the scale of human suffering and physical destruction as he toured affected areas of Kashmir the other day.
“I am aware that the Kashmiris on the other side of the Line of Control have also faced heavy loss of life and material damage. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult time, and we remain prepared to extend a helping hand, in whatever way possible, to the efforts for their relief and rehabilitation,” he remarked.
Despite hiccups in their ties, the two countries have offered each other assistance for the affected people living on both sides of the LoC.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2014.
COMMENTS (29)
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@Gp65: Wonder why Pakistanis ignore the flood warnings ?http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Pakistan/235377-Flood-warning-issued-as-water-level-in-rivers-rise
@Gp65: Rajnath visited Kashmir on the sixth of Sept followed by Modi on the seventh.Whole scale relief operations started only after Modi declared it as a national disaster.Kashmir was flooded on the fourth itself.It was reported on the fifth that 70 people had lost their lives.What was our PM doing on the fifth.Conducting a PR exercise with school children.If it was a national disaster,then why the delay.
@AVPMPolpot: NS the Disaster specialist.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: Yes we see people like you as pakistani occupying indian land so get out of it.
@Sri Varahadev: (Why is Pakistan proposing to give away money to foreigners while begging for money from foreign donors) Quality of mercy is not strained; it blesses both-giver & receiver. In the last week of August 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit USA killing 2000 & desroying $100 Billions. World came to rescue of Americans. The powerful country had the humility & practical commonsense to seek global help-mostly from EU though-and world helped. Just a few examples: India offered $5 million & mind you, India was still a recepient of aid. Pakistan & Bangladesh gave $1 million each & Afghanistan $100,000 & Bahamas $50,000 while Cambodia & Maldives scraped $20000 each. Many more! They gave to USA & in some cases beggers became donors and no graceless words were uttered by anybody. None used sorrow to mock others. There was no swagger, no bragging, just grace.
@Lion King: India has always honored the IWT even during wars. When population becomes 6 times per capita water will reduce especially if no investment is made in dams, canals, drip irrigation etc. on any occassion that Pakistan has taken India to an international tribunal under IWT, it has lst to India.
This particular flood is due to Chenab waters. The only dam on is river is the Baglihar dam which is a run of the river dam meaning it has no storage capacity. So the question of releasing water with or without prior information does not arise. There is no stored water to be released.
In 2010 the floods happened in Sind. Neither Pakistan administered Kashmir nor Punjab were affected. How can that be as a result of India flooding Pakistan?
To create hatred when the other party is fair and law abiding and make false accusations is in poor taste.
Instead of flying over the flood area in a helicopter for a scenic tour the same helicopter could be used to rescue people.
Yeah in return for stealing our water the whole year and releasing flood into our rivers during monsoon. What else we would expect from this Nawaz government the prime minister of which takes his businessman son to Indian businessmen's houses during his official Indian visit.
Before Commenting check the link of Tribune newspaper
http://tribune.com.pk/story/760229/pakistan-golf-team-rescued-in-srinagar/
@Descendant of Ibrahim: ur problem lies in your descendancy of Ibrahim. Get rid of it and start seeing your reality. Everyone has some or the other descendancy but it need not be a cause for hate, arrogance, aggression and intolerance.
Just cant understand-Modi offers help- Pakistan turns down(As per Indian Newspapers) - Offer greatly appreciated by Nawaz Sharif( after he gets the nod from the true rulers of Pakistan, The Pak Army) - Offer of help from Nawaz-Modi Mum(Awaiting Nod from RSS I hope) Same old story ,same old stupid and suffering masses
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri:
Kashmiris are highly subsidised by the Indians and still they cry for Pakistan. No surprise why Indians despise Kashmiris. Modi is not alone.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: Reading between the lines , Pakistan is offering disaster ( that it faces ) mangement ( that India can ) deal to India.Anything wrong anyone.
Pakistani are funny people If India did not have those dams, there would have been more destruction in PoK and Pakistani Punjab, Why don;t you guys get some quality education?
“I am aware that the Kashmiris on the other side of the Line of Control have also faced heavy loss of life and material damage ………………………….we remain prepared to extend a helping hand, in whatever way possible, to the efforts for their relief and rehabilitation,” ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why is Pakistan proposing to give away money to foreigners while begging for money from foreign donors for rehabilitating Pushtun / Pathan IDP’s created by Pakistan’s Punjabi dominated Military in NWA? Swaggering around and offering aid to foreigners while begging aid for Pakistani’s is not going to raise stature of Pakistan among other countries. All it is going to do is tag Pakistan for indulging in braggart behavior. Doubly so when this happening at a time when Pakistan has gone cap in hand to the IMF for a financial bail out ! Those who have missed the above story can read it on Express Tribune at the below link:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/759832/sos-call-donors-urged-to-help-rehabilitate-idps/
@BlackJack: Propaganda combined with blindness - yes. Rare condition? No. There are many who unfortunately at times of such distress are more focused on lies and hate mongering than in doing what they can to aid relief and rescue.
Anyway, 2 out of 3 isn't bad.
ET mods- this person is outright lying. Please allow fact based rebuttal.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: There are limits to lies especially at times of human tragedy. On the 5th itself India's home minister visited Jammu and Kashmir. Then the PM himself went there and sat with the CM of state and others to determine what is needed. Aoart from an incremental 1000 crore rpees on top of 1100 crore already announced earlier, a multidisciplinary taskforce is working round the clock on rescue and relief operations. Army, airforce, the telecom PSU BSNL, national disaster recovery force are all working shoulder to shoulder. Boats have been flown in by helicopter from Gujarat and Maharashtra, blankets, tents - everything is being organized. Dozens of relief camps are operating night and day. Even Omar Abdullah who is a staunch poliiticsl opponent of Modi has recognized the sincerity and urgency with which Modi has pressed all national resources to the cause of rescue, relief and rehabilitation in this flood which is the worst ever in past 60 years.
Here are some examples of what is going on. http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-editorials/facing-the-floods-kashmir-tragedy-and-armys-rescue-mission-is-above-politics-as-india-unites-in-support/
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: I was wondering where you had disappeared. Please stay safe. Without your comments, there is not much laughter ...
Why Pakistan is not constructing the dams to store water released from India during the monsoon rains in August/September instead of offering and requesting India for disaster management deal and why dams' issue has been the matter of life and death for Pakistani politicians?????
" Pakistan offers disaster management deal to India" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NS the disaster management specialist.
@Shibin: There is a thing called information. It has to be shared on the right time. If you see the objects raised by FO of Pakistan, it always has been concerned with no prior information being given to Pakistan so that at least evacuation measures could be initiated.
@Descendant of Ibrahim Natural Flow of water is downstream.India,just like any other country,cannot hold the water for long time.Use your Common sense
@Descendant of Ibrahim: That is propaganda combined with blindness, a rare condition. One solution is to look up into the sky, and notice that it is raining rather heavily. Another is to read the newspaper and realize that the same number of people have died in India as well.
This is a very positive suggestion of closer collaboration in natural Disaster Risk management collaboration
@Virkaul As far as I and most of the people know this fact that the flood comes to Pakistan every year when India release water from its dams, at a pressure and amount that causes flood... Condolence after it is no surprise... We must be sharp enough to see when it is sympathy and when it is a trap...
People may hate Modi from false propaganda. But us indian muslims are realizing the truth slowly and are loving more and more every day.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: You are only spitting venom as usual even in this catastrophe. Although I am not a fan of Modi but you cannot deny the fact that his defence minister and he himself were first to visit the affected areas and are carrying out rescue operations vigorously. What may be debatable though the style of managing the disaster but not the intent.
India has no interest of any disaster management because Kashmiris are still viewed as Pakistanis by India. Nawaz Sharif's gesture is great, but Modi's heart is filled with hate for Muslims and Kashmiris.