Baloch leader rejects govt claims of efforts in flood-hit areas
10 October, 2012
QUETTA: National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has renounced all claims of the government regarding aid efforts in the flood-hit areas of Balochistan and said the claims were based on lies. He said this while addressing a press conference on Tuesday at the Quetta Press Club after his party leaders' three-day visit to various areas of districts Naseerabad and Jafferabad. He said about 500,000 houses had been washed away in flood, standing crops worth thousands of rupees had been destroyed and water had accumulated in vast swathes in the flood-affected districts. He said people had taken refuge along both sides of roads as it had risen a bit, adding that they would have been killed otherwise. He said he was informed by the locals that as many as 3,000 people had been killed in the flood, which was more powerful and devastating than that of 2010. He said the highway was blocked in the flood-affected areas for more than 26 days and the government had failed to clear it for traffic. Baloch said they had seen the flood-hit people living under open sky on roadsides, which belied the government claims of sending sufficient tents to the flood affectees. Quoting PDMA statistics, he said the government claimed to have dispatched 2,860 tents while the actual requirement was 74,851, which spoke volumes about the gap between actual need and provision by the government. He said further insufficient amount of edible items had caused difficulties for the people. He said floodwater had accumulated everywhere and drinking water was not available in the area. "Given all the difficulties and lack of facilities, corruption and storing of whatever little food items by landlords is endangering the lives of the people," the National Party leader maintained, adding the government did not distribute food among the poor but it had given it to influential landlords who hoarded it. Baloch appealed to the government to allow non-governmental organisations and international organisations to come forward and help the flood affectees. End.
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