MANSEHRA: Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar has taken suo motu notice of alleged embezzlement in over $5 billion financial assistance extended by the international community for rehabilitation of the survivors of the devastating earthquake of 2005.

The apex court has fixed March 26 for taking up an application moved by Sheraz Mehmood Qureshi, a social activist from Mansehra, who has accused politicians and officials of embezzling the quake funds.

The SC has directed the respondents, including the attorney general, KP advocate general, director general Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) Islamabad and the applicant Mr Qureshi, to ensure their presence in the court on the date fixed for the hearing.

Fixes March 26 for taking up an application moved by Mansehra activist

“The people of Mansehra alone suffered over 17,000 deaths in the tragedy over 12 years ago, which almost entirely flattened the Balakot town, but financial assistance meant for payment of compensation and rehabilitation of the survivors has been embezzled.

“And because of which the people are still residing in makeshift arrangements,” said Mr Qureshi in his application submitted to the apex court.

He said people of Balakot were still living in makeshift prefabricated houses donated by Saudi Arabia but New Balakot City housing project was still in doldrums.

“Schools and health facilities destroyed in the tragedy are still not reconstructed in Balakot and other parts of the district,” he said.

He also pleaded the apex court to order an audit of or inquiry into all the foreign financial assistance, and expose all those involved in this large-scale corruption.

“Erra officials, mostly retired from army, purchased luxurious vehicles for their personal comfort from the funds meant for quake survivors,” alleges Mr Qureshi in his application.

BAR POLLS: The district bar association has announced schedule for annual elections to be held on March 31.

Ayaz Khan, chairman of the election board, told reporters on Sunday that contenders could receive nomination papers from March 19 to 20 and could submit them with the board up to March 26.

He said list of final contenders would be displayed on March 17 and polling would be held on March 31.

BOY DROWNS: A four-year-old boy drowned in a stream in Takia Badadi area. Locals said Adnan, 4, was crossing the stream when he slipped into it. Later, his body was fished out by locals.

In another incident, Mohammad Ilyas was electrocuted while fixing an electric-powered machine in Lari Adda area.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018