Earthquake 2005: CJP reviews rehabilitation work in Balakot

On the insistence of people affected by 2005 earthquake from Balakot, the Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar left for Balakot personally to review on-ground situation and adjourned all the cases fixed for Wednesday.
The Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, heading a three-member bench, heard a suo motu case pertaining to alleged embezzlement in financial assistance of $5 billion extended by the international community for rehabilitation of 2005 earthquake surviving victims.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar questioned Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) what it has done during the last 13 years for the victims of 2005 earthquake.
During the proceedings, ERRA's official Brig Zafar told the court that the authority was facing difficulty in getting ownership of land in Balakot for establishing a new city. He said 11,436 kanals of land were allocated by the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to set up new Balakot city in Bakrial, which is 2km away from the old devastated Balakot.
He told that work was started in 2007 but stopped in 2009 due the protests by the locals. He said though the payment has been made to KP for the land, they have not given land possession to the ERRA, adding after getting the possession they will start the work on the project of new city Balakot and can complete the Balakot new city project in two years.
The ERRA official stated since the land had not been provided; Saudi Arabia withdrew its support. The Chief Justice said: "Shame on all those who were responsible for the delay."
He remarked all the former finance secretaries and ministers, including the one who is abroad (Ishaq Dr), should appear before the court and share details of where the money was spent.
Sanaullah Zahid, a counsel for the quake victims, stated that a donor conference had been held in Islamabad in 2006 wherein international representatives participated. He said the countries, which participated in the conference pledged $5 billion.
To court queries, the ERRA official stated that a total of 14,704 projects were approved for earthquake-affected areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that 962 projects were for KPK, while 7,742 were for Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
He said ERRA has received Rs 290.85 billion so far, out of which Rs 190 billion were given by the government of Pakistan and Rs 100 billion by the donor agencies. The Chief Justice remarked that so far ERRA' performance is questionable.
Sanaullah Zahid stated that according to the earthquake victims, the ERRA spent 92 percent amount on administration, while only 8 percent were used on the development projects.
Brigadier Zafar then confirmed that Rs 5.3 billion have so far been spent on the ERRA administration, adding that 1,100 people are working in ERRA. The Chief Justice noted that Rs 5 billion is not a small amount, adding all paternal and maternal uncles have been employed in the ERRA.
Sanaullah Zahid stated that quake-affected people are still living in shelters. The Chief Justice then inquired from Brig Zafar if he has witnessed the condition of people living in shelters in Balakot.
Brig Zafar asked the Chief Justice if he wishes to visit Balakot, he could arrange the helicopter. The Chief Justice asked how much would it cost? Zafar replied that it would cost Rs 300,000.
The Chief Justice then said he will pay this amount from his own pocket and asked the Supreme Court registrar to check about the availability of helicopter. When registrar told him that it was not available right now, the Chief Justice decided to leave for Balakot by road. The Chief Justice said when he will go there then he will stay with the people in tents.
Sanaullah stated that still 400,000 children are getting education under the sky. The KP secretary stated that they will provide land for new Balakot city.
Earlier, addressing Brigadier Zafar of ERRA, the Chief Justice said: "You are from Pakistan Army and certainly would have joined ERRA on deputation. You would have certainly been visiting the affected areas and stay there at Serena Hotel. Certainly, you would have banglows here and your children will be getting education from prestigious educational institutions. Think for these people who have been living in tents under the open sky for the last 13 years..." Brigadier Zafar replied that may be no one can live in those areas where he had been living. "You would have been living in such areas when you were serving in the army," the Chief Justice remarked. Brigadier Zafar then stated that he is still serving in the army, adding when he visits Balakot he stays in a good hotel according to his official entitlement.