Current heat wave in Karachi took over a thousand innocent lives in this holy month of Ramazan due to severe dehydration and heat stroke. Families of scores others still hang in limbo since their loved ones are still in the hospital battling the worst ever heat wave in the country’s history since 1979.
In other parts of Sindh it is estimated that around; 35 people died in Hyderabad, 4 in Nausharo Feroz, 4 in Badin, Thatta 5, Tharparkar 6. Hundreds of heat stroke victims are reported to be in hospitals undergoing treatment even now.
So with such natural calamities, the Government of Pakistan should have taken a swift action to bring relief to the inhabitants of Sindh. Instead the ceremonial warnings, notices, committees and cancellation of this or that sort came to the view. What is even more fascinating is the fact that no relief camps were set up by the Sindh Provincial Government. The ruling PPP party of Sindh had nothing more to do except call up a meeting four days later since the first deaths occurred. Such a lethargic response in any other part of the world would have seen the entire Provincial and Central Government pack up their bags and take an exit. But this being Pakistan; the people concerned showed no remorse for the loss of precious lives, instead a barrage of blames and accusations started from the Central & Provincial Governments, each telling the other that it was their responsibility, that 18th Amendment was given to the provinces hence it was their job. A Federal minister went to the extent of saying “A Government is not responsible when people die in heat wave.” Such despicable and nauseating statements only show that the sitting Governments have no remorse for the people. That the “People’s Mandate” phrase they keep reiterating when being interviewed by media seems only now as their OWN mandate, the word “people” is clearly missing from this widely used most popular phrase!
On the other hand Pakistan Army took the initiative and put up 16 relief centres for the heat wave. Among these, 10 centres were set up for Karachi alone whereas the other six were made in other parts of affected Sindh. The army relief centre’s equipped with all requisite medical arrangements, doctors and paramedics operated round the clock. People and heatstroke patients were advised to visit these relief camps set up by the Army Rangers due to the immense flow of patients in Government hospitals. Heat stroke centres are set up in the Sukkur and Larkana districts too by the Pakistan Army.
On the 25th June media reported that the government has set up 29 heat stroke centres throughout Sindh, of which 16 have been set up in Karachi, to provide relief to the people affected by the heat-wave under the directive of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Before the heat wave struck Karachi, it was the acute water shortage that affected the citizens. Karachiites were left on the mercy of tanker mafia, who were plucking with over charged costs of one tanker. (Usually Rs. 3000-Rs. 8000) Localities were water starved literally, while the profiteers benefited in this crisis that have great patronage of certain political elements and KWSB bureaucracy.
In all that is mentioned above, one fails to see where the Government stands. Is there a Government in place? Whose mercy are Karachiites left upon? Who are these people that pose to be “Public Representatives”?
Not one first tier leader from the Pakistan People’s Party led provincial Government took the time out to visit and see the condition of hospitals, no one bothered to even spare a moment to check upon the facilities (if any) were to be given in this crucial time. Senator Sherry Rehman was taken to the Jinnah Hospital on the 24th June.
Where is the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA)
Where is the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Where is the Prime Minister of Pakistan? Shouldn’t he have been standing there for his people? Why is he so aloof in all mayhem?
Where is that party called MQM which used to stop Karachi over little things? Markets would be forcibly shut by the MQM on the slightest incident. Why haven’t they protested against the death of over a 1000 people?
Media reported; in the first week of June, around 20 people died of intense heat in Sehwan. Why that count of death was not sufficient for the authorities to prepare ahead? What were they doing? The scorching heat reached Karachi almost ten days later, to be precise that was around the 20th June; why weren’t the authorities ready to deal with this? Why is it that eventually the civil society jumps in to help or the Pakistan Army has to manage and control natural disasters? Why wasn’t the Government informing the people through TV adverts for precautions?
Chairman Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Imran Khan visited Karachi on the 25th June, where he made a short call at the Jinnah Hospital. He met the patients that were admitted due to heat stroke, talked with their relatives and spoke to the doctors about the medical treatment being given. Later he held a press conference where he offered Fatiha for those who died in this catastrophe. He specially stressed upon the negligent attitude of the Sindh Government, of those who should have been proactive in this calamity.
It is time Pakistani’s understand, a true peoples person will always stand with them in times of crisis. He/She will not book a flight and travel out of country with his entire family. He will not just give sermons on the Mic or give statements through the media, that person will visit those bereaved citizens who are in dire need of moral support. That person will show his presence among the affected to ease their pain, suffering and give them hope. A peoples person will plan ahead before a calamity strikes, that person will see to it that precautionary measures are taken to minimize casualties.
It is time Pakistanis realize that enough is enough, how many dead will we carry on our shoulders and hand them over to the graves? How many times will we have to go through this negligence of the Govt? How many people after will we realize that it is the States duty to look after their citizens. What kind of a democratic revenge is Pakistani’s facing?
The writer is a freelance analyst with Urdu/English dailies & is based in Lahore.
by webmaster@insaf.pk (tkiadmin)
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