The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has crudely ignored the genuine needs of the earthquake affectees of five districts of Hazara Division, according to Jahan Zeb Khan, Co-ordinator, Battal earthquake affectees.
In an urgent fax message to the FPCCI President, with a copy to Business Recorder, he said that a meagre amount of Rs 500,000 only was distributed in the earthquake-affected area of five districts. This was a "peanut" when compared to the colossal damage and destruction in the area, he added.
He said that Rs 80 million had been distributed on the advice of the FPCCI President for the same purpose in Muzaffarabad area. "You have shown favouritism as you belong to that area and want to please the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to safeguard your vested interests in business and debt loan write-off," he alleged.
Jahan Zeb Khan, who is also President of Hazara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "The woes of this tragedy were raised by not only Faiz Rasool, Vice-President, FPCCI, in his D.O. letter to you, but also by me, but these representations went unheeded."
He said that he personally requested the FPCCI President to visit the affected areas of Mansehra district, Balakot, Koninsh, Siren valley and districts of Batagram and Kohistan, but he ignored the request. "The unprecedented aid illegally diverted by you to your area, does not auger well and is unjustified and illegal."This should be remedied urgently by issuing the promised bank draft of remaining Rs 650,000," he said. He expressed the hope that sense would prevail in the FPCCI and its President would share "the grief, sorrows and sufferings of the five districts of Hazara division.