This disaster has now beeen declared worse than the ‘Asian Tsunami’ that caused devestation across a dozen countries, and a UN official stated that the Pakistan Earthquake disaster was “outside the scope of any government to handle”. But our Armed forces have risen to the challenge, and is performing with courage and determination which must be saluted. :k: :Salute:
http://www.pakobserver.net/200510/18/Articles04.asp
We’re proud of you
From the ruins and rubbles left behind by the devastating Oct 8 earthquake has arisen a new spirit of fellow-feeling among fellow Pakistanis that the nation can be justly proud of. While the international community has rallied to the support of the quake victims with considerable aid, and the Pakistan Army kicked off the rescue and relief operations, it is the average Pakistanis’ response to the catastrophe that stands out as a heart-warming example of solidarity and self-help. Even before the true scale of the disaster was known, people from all walks of life had sprung into action, donating, mobilizing, volunteering and caring. They have offered the military men their hand to utilize them in the efforts to save lives and rebuild their houses. On the forefront, of course, is the military that has deputed two more divisions in addition to already working around 10 thousands jawans. Around 3.3 million people spread over an area of 20,000 square km were worst affected by October 8 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, said Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Shaukat Sultan. Briefing media persons on the relief and rescue operations being carried out in the quake devastated areas, he said, around 50,000 troops besides a large number of volunteers are engaged in the relief and rescue operations. “We are trying to reach every place which is worst hit during the quake.” So far 25,000 deaths have been confirmed and the toll could increase further. There are 51,000 injured in the quake. Giving the breakup of the total affectees, Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan said, around 1.3 million people were affected in NWFP while two million in Azad Jammau and Kashmir. The towns and adjoining areas which have been badly affected included, Mansehra, Balakot, Batagram, Shinkiyari, Garhi Habibullah, in NWFP. The worst hit among these is Balakot.
The cities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Batika, Garhi Dopatta, Hattian, Chakkar, Harcha, and Harigate. He said so far 430 deaths of soldiers of Pakistan Army have been confirmed while over 700 were injured. The relief and rescue efforts are in full swing as Chaklala Airbase has been declared the focal point of rescue and relief activity. Army’s rescue teams are going beyond the towns and cities in order to reach the areas where no one had been able to go earlier. Around 27 tonnes of ration, 15 tonnes of medicine, 9.9 tonnes of water, 9,270 blankets and 937 tents have been transported through helicopters to the affected areas. As far as by road transportation of relief goods is concerned so far 88 tonnes of ration, 5 tonnes of medicine, 14 tonnes of water, 10223 blankets and 2919 tents have been supplied in the quake hit parts. **The choppers of Pakistan Army Aviation had immediately moved to Muzaffarabad on Saturday — the day of quake. “The choppers had left for Muzaffarabad within 20 minutes of the quake for relief and rescue,” **Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan told media men. Twelve helicopters flew for 48 hours and rescued 595 injured from Muzaffarabad. The next day, 26 helicopters undertook 138 hours’ collective flights and carried 6.5 tonnes of relief goods and evacuated 165 injured. On the third day of quake, 30 helicopters took part in the operation and undertook 133 hours flight. They carried 6 tonnes of relief goods while rescued 480 injured. On the fourth day seven US choppers joined the fleet of existing 30 choppers and these undertook 65 hours flight and transported 27 tonnes of relief goods and rescued 497 injured. This was despite the bad weather hampered the relief efforts. On the fifth day, 45 choppers were taking part in the operation as the fleet has been enhanced after the joining of choppers from Germany and Afghanistan. More choppers from the US are likely to join the existing fleet very soon to augment the relief and rescue operation. Media was told that 165 trucks and 20 buses had been requisitioned from the private sector to gear up the transportation of the relief goods to the affected areas. Amidst the communication infrastructure totally wiped out, the credit goes to the mobile phone companies which played a pivotal role in advising the rescuers, aid workers where to converge and what to give — all in the form of simple text messages that guided people to various aid collection points. But most of all the credit goes to Pakistan Army’s Special Communication Organization (SCO), which offered a three-minute call free of cost to everyone at the quake-hit areas from Mansehra to Azad Kashmir, and connected the people to their near and dear ones across the country. The SCO is still working, besides the army jawans have succeeded in restoring telephone lines at a number of places.
One thing however was observed that the rescue and relief efforts were not coordinated. Without any doubt there are tens of organizations, including NGOs, local volunteers and political parties, but they are performing their duties individually and not collectively. This is creating administrative problems. The chief coordinator of UK-based Islamic Relief NGO, Malik Jamil Ahmad Awan, who is involved in major relief effort in Muzaffarabad along with other organizations, suggested that so far the public response has been unprecedented but it needs to come under one administrative set up. He pointed out that the individual efforts would cause wastage of time, money, aid and relief or rescue efforts. He noted that a number of aid agencies supplied food and relief items in bulk to some individuals and had the efforts been coordinated, such lapses should not have occurred because there could be many left to receive aid. He suggested that other than NGOs, private organizations and political parties should submit their relief goods and donations to the Army high command at their base camps for further distribution under the military. Two Divisions of Pakistan Army, one each in Azad Kashmir and Mansehra, have been deployed to accelerate the pace of rescue and relief activities in the quake-hit areas. Pakistan Army undoubtedly did a great job in this hour of trial and tribulation. It’s not only engaged in rescue and relief operations, but is also working day and night to rebuild the infrastructure in the affected areas. The PAF has also scrambled to the national duty of delivering relief goods to the affected people to transport the injured to the hospitals for treatment. The Armed Forces of Pakistan, in fact deserve nation’s gratitude for responding to the call of the time at its difficult times.
While eulogizing efforts of Pakistan Army, volunteers, Opposition and non-governmental organization, I would like to urge upon the political leaders not to exploit the situation for their self interests. One has seen a heart-warming display of unity and spirit of sacrifice in the wake of the quake and the mass misery in the north. But the opposition now seems to be resuming its role as opposition as is evident from the speeches in the National Assembly. All what is going on is basically a humanitarian effort meant to save lives and lessen misery. The greater task is the rehabilitation of the homeless. Please put up army-bashing for some other time. By the way the nation has got united. The spirit of 1965 war has returned. The same spirit was demonstrated at the time of Ojhri Camp blast in 1988. It means the nation’s passion for the country is there. They have only been fed up of political bickering. Let’s not play politics. Let’s do the right job. And why return to same bickering after tackling the earthquake tragedy. Why not learn lessons? God may not be going to forgive us for another time.
