October 12, 2006	Thursday	Ramazan 18, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 11: Speakers at a panel discussion on Wednesday called for a public debate on the proposed Disaster Management Law 2006 before its presentation before the parliament.

Representatives and experts from the civil society, United Nations, the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra), Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission, Met department, Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Federal Flood Commission and the media were speaking at the discussion on “Disaster Reduction in Pakistan.”

The events was organised by the Pattan Development Organisation on the eve of “International Disaster Reduction Day” here on Wednesday.

National coordinator for Pattan Sarwar Bari initiated the debate by shedding light on the diversity of the socio-political dimensions of the society.

He said that Pakistan had a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, adding that disparities were seen in every walk of life. He said mode of politics was feudal- militaristic where both the rich and powerful classes were in cahoots with each other.

Mr Bari regretted that public participation in the process of decision-making was absent and decisions were thrust upon the people from high echelons of power.

He said the October 2005 earthquake ignited many concerns and controversies and one of the most serious concerns of the civil society was the newly- established disaster management agencies, namely Erra and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

He opined that though the civil society welcomed the establishment of these two organisations which were supposed to be responsible for the disaster management, yet it did not approve the way these agencies were established. The haste with which both the organisations were established speaks volumes for the misgovernance of the present regime, he added.

Mr Bari said though the role of military in the relief work could not be ignored, it was sad to observe that the relief and rescue operations were mainly focused on initial relief. “Payment of compensation money is another sad episode,” he said.

He called for addressing the poverty issue for risk reduction. He asked the media and civil society to play a crucial role for the sake of accountability as people did not expect accountability coming from the government.

Mr Bari stressed the need for a sustainable and long-term disaster management plan. He was of the view that since Pakistan was a disaster prone area and floods, earthquake, landslides and cyclones washed away billions of rupees investment and infrastructure every year, there was a great need for the development paradigm to take into account the risk reduction measures because that was the only way for sustainable development.

Saeed A. Khan, member PM Inspection Commission, said the proposed law was just a policy and they needed to consult the stake-holders and NGOs which would be done in due course of time.

Brig Ilyas highlighted the crucial part being played by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in the early phases of the earthquake.

Arif Mehmood, chief meteorologist, talked about the capacity-building among the different government departments. He was referring to the earlier warnings which were conveyed to the administration of Hyderabad and Karachi city about the looming rain threat.