Flood victims cry for assistance

Report Waqar Ahmad

CHITRAL, May 15, 2011: Flood-affected people from different parts of Chitral here on Sunday narrated their sufferings and government’s apathy to rehabilitate them despite the passage of almost one year.

Speaking at a press conference, they appealed to the president, prime minister and the governor and chief minister of KP to announce a special package for their rehabilitation on a priority basis.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Rehmat Khan from Yarkhun valley, Mohammad Kabir Shah from Sheshi Koh, Sher Khan from Khorkashan Deh, Chitral; Gulab Khan from Arandu, Noor Hussain from Bumburet, Mir Wali Shah of Shoghor and Jehangir of Jugoor.

They said there were 90 families in the district who were most affected in the devastating floods but none of them had so far been provided any assistance.

They said some of the flood victims had been issued Watan cards but most of them were still deprived of the facility. Even those who have been issued the cards were not been paid the amount.

They said when the flood victims approached NADRA for issuance of the cards, they were told to contact the UBL. However, the UBL authorities told the affected persons that issuance of the Watan cards was the responsibility of NADRA.

The flood victims also said the Saudi government had sent 15 trucks of relief goods to Chitral but the authorities concerned in the district distributed the items among their favourites within the Chitral town.

They asked the government to order an inquiry into delay in provision of relief to the victims. They said flood victims in the remote villages of the valley were suffering a lot as there was no one to inquire after their conditions.



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