NATO’s relief role under debate in NA
By Zulfiqar Ahmad

ISLAMABAD—Expressing their grave concern over presence of NATO troops in Pakistan, the lawmakers from opposition in National Assembly have asked government to explain whether Pakistan Armed troops were incapable of relief and rehabilitation purposes that it (government) facilitated NATO troops in Pakistan for this purpose. The question was raised by PML-N’s Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in NA on Tuesday’s debate on October 8 killer earthquake. He asked the government to explain why it took this step at its own and did not take the parliament into confidence before such and important decision. He said Pak army was incapable of relief operation that government had to plead to NATO to send its troops on Pakistani soil.
An individual is running the show and is taking decision at his own will despite the fact that an elected parliament is existent but General Pervez Musharraf is doing what he likes, Ch Nisar deplored. In a lighter tone he asked will it be NATO that will help Pakistan in case a war between Pakistan and India erupts. Ch Nisar also said it had been a shame for Pakistan that President General Pervez Musharraf is unhappy with international community for not fulfilling its commitment of aide to Pakistan. “When entire nation is showing an exemplary spirit then why government is pleading for international aide. If the aide provided by international donors, other states and Pakistani people is used in apt manner then there is no doubt in my mind that will help overcome the situation,” he held. He said Pakistan needs a true leader at the moment, at present the government elites are only trying to impress the nation through their photo sessions and its nothing but adding salt to the wounds of the affected people. PML-N MNA made it clear that earthquake affectees have lost their faith in the government because it (government) had failed to control the aid.
The government, he said by making Army Generals head of Federal Relief Commission and Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Bureau showed its lack of confidence over the parliament. Who these generals will be accountable to, he asked. Even two weeks after the worst devastations in the history of Pakistan, we are hearing about misappropriations in the aid. The government, he said has literally failed to cope with the situation. The political parties, he said should also not publicize their good work adding has anybody seen Dr Abdul Sattar Edhi project his good work; his organization is doing the relief and rehabilitation of quake affectees without any publicity. Taking part in the debate, Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf said that the affected areas need 50000 tents and we have arranged this number of tents in Beijing (China) but we don’t have transportation facilities. If government can help us we will be able to transport these tents in time before the onset of winter. Ch Naurez Shakoor from treasury said NATO and troops from other countries are coming to Pakistan to take part in relief and rehabilitation activities and relief and Rehabilitation Committees are monitoring their activities. NATO troops are only in Pakistan for rehabilitation purpose and they will not stay in the country forever.
Federal Relief Commission is working very hard in relief activities in affected areas, however the troops have been unable to reach some affected areas. He also said that Pakistan will portray the true picture of Pakistan after the October 8 killer quake in International Donors Conference starting today (Wednesday) in Geneva. “In such calamities international community is always asked to help the affected nation but even if international community fulfill its promises I fear it might not be enough.” He said the total assessment of earthquake losses will be completed by November 15. Taking part in debate MNA Mehnaz Rafi from treasury said it is a pity that the relief aide coming from foreign countries is being openly sold in Rawalpindi Bazars. The blankets that send by US are being sold in Raja Bazar at Rs 7000 a piece. The government, she said should take serious note of the situation and bring the culprits to justice. State Minister Malik Amin Aslam also made it clear that unclaimed children will not be handed over to any one. Some people, he said tried to get children by personating to be their heirs but government was aware of the situation and foiled their attempts. MMA’s Farid Paracha pointed out that several remote hamlets and villages in NWFP and Azad Kashmir have not got any sort of aid and if speedy steps are not taken to provide relief to these areas then more people could die. Who will be responsible for the death of such people, he asked. He said we couldn’t see what the government is doing as the inflation has gripped the daily commodities; things are being sold on higher rates and fares of different transport have also escalated.
It is failure of government that in Karachi and Gujranwala, relief goods were sold, he pointed out. He also urged upon the government to declare all quake affected areas tax free zones besides giving interest free loans to people in these areas to get their lives together. Paracha also said that government should start the registration process of Kashmir refugees and fix a dead line for all relief and rehabilitation work. Professor Mushtaq Victor from treasury highlighted that minorities have played an important role in rescue and relief operations.
PPPP’s Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed said that government started the rescue operations very late particularly in Bagh district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir where lives of students buried under the rubble of college building could have been saved. He said why National Highway authority and CDA were on a vacation on October 8. An inquiry commission must be constituted to probe this slackness of government. Parliamentary Secretary Dewan Jaffar Bukhari said that people in quake hit areas badly need tents.