The October 2005 earthquake that hit vast swathes of Kashmir on either side of the Line of Control and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the worst in living memory. It caused unspeakable death and destruction. As many as 80,000 lives were lost, many more were injured, and millions rendered homeless. The people all over the country responded with compassion never seen before, travelling from as far from the scene of disaster as Karachi with all kinds of relief goods to help the victims. The international community, including NGOs and donor agencies, too, gave a generous response. But those responsible for rehabilitation and reconstruction work have continuously been exhibited a shameful lack of empathy, even sense of responsibility. Nearly 13 years on, as Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar learned during a recent visit to Balakot in Mansehra district of KP - one of the worst affected areas - many survivors live in makeshift housing without proper access to such basic facilities as water, healthcare, and schools for their children. He was informed that 1,640 projects planned for the rehabilitation of the survivors could not be completed due to shortage of funds.
The CJP arrived in Balakot after taking suo motu notice of a petition filed by a social activist, alleging embezzlement of $ 5 billion assistance money provided by international donors for rehabilitation work. The petitioner further claimed that out of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority's (ERRA) funds, Rs 55 billion were transferred to the Benazir Income Support Programme and Rs 185 billon to some other government accounts. During the case proceedings, the court was also told that ERRA had received Rs 290 billion from the government, including Rs 100 billion from international donors. Even as ERRA says it is short of Rs 37 billion needed to complete the projects, instead of devoting all available resources to reconstruction projects it has spent Rs 15.36 billion on administrative affairs. All these allegations, of course, need to be proved, though the on-ground evidence suggests there is at least some, if not whole truth to them. Regrettably, three governments - one military and two civilian - remained equally insensitive to the victims of such a colossal natural disaster.
Talking to distressed survivors in Balakot, the CJP assured them he would bring everyone guilty of wrongdoing to justice. He also mentioned that it was a fit case for NAB to deal with. It is unclear, though, how the court intends to proceed. Given the nature and expanse of the allegations it could be a difficult task. The process has already started to move in the right direction. The long suffering affectees of the earthquake can finally expect to get what is their due.
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