Pakistan People's Party Friday lambasted the government over what it said the failure of state machinery to provide relief in the cyclone-hit province of Balochistan where dozens of people are reportedly dead or missing after a week-long rainy spell.
In a statement, PPP Information Secretary Sherry Rehman said the recent rains had laid bare the regime's claims of development work in general and in the downtrodden province of Balochistan in particular.
Over 1.1 million people have been affected by the cyclone and the subsequent floods in Balochistan that have also displaced 400,000 people. A quarter of a million people were in serious distress as they stand deprived of shelter and basic supplies.
Likewise, rains have resulted in widespread destruction in Sindh where hundreds are reportedly stranded in the far-flung areas and could not be reached due to scarcity of resources. The last week's rains claimed over 200 lives in Karachi alone.
Commenting on the aftermath of the week-long rains across the country, Sherry Rehman said the countrywide breakdown of infrastructure and destruction following the rains is an annual show, with each year proving to be worse than last.
"The regime has constantly been claiming that it has been investing in development work across the country, especially in the province of Balochistan. The recent rains amply expose all such claims," she added.
Rehman also castigated the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for turning down the offer by the UN aid agencies to assist in the relief operation in Balochistan. "This is not the first time the regime has attempted to keep the aid agencies out. Balochistan has been witnessing a humanitarian crisis even before the rains, owing to the military operation in the region and aid agencies are seldom allowed to step in.
PPP information secretary said there is a widespread consensus that the post-cyclone situation is beyond the control of provincial administration and rather securing its political future the government should address the humanitarian crisis that is adding to the miseries of people. Rehman added this is the gift of an unrepresentative government sitting at the helm of affairs for eight years, carrying out non-consultative development work.
Demanding transparency in the relief efforts in Balochistan, Sherry Rehman emphasised that there has to be an end to the annual disaster of rain-related devastation.