July 01, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 15, 1428

QUETTA, June 30: The Balochistan chapter of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed dissatisfaction over relief and rescue operations in flood-hit areas of the province.

It said reports received from the commission’s coordinators and activists disputed the government’s claims about relief activities in the affected areas.

Speaking at a press conference at the press club here on Saturday, Balochistan HRCP vice-chairperson Malik Zahoor Ahmad Shahwani said the coordinators of the commission had reported the deaths of 30 people in Turbat, 18 in Mashkal and three in Chaman.

He said if the government had really started relief work, why thousands of people had attacked government buildings in Turbat, adding that opening fire on demonstrators and using teargas was a violation of the people’s constitutional rights.

Mr Shahwani said no one could stop a natural calamity but the government had had the responsibility to look after affected people and make arrangements for their rehabilitation.