MANSEHRA: A jirga in Balakot tehsil has decided that it will move the Supreme Court for contempt proceedings against the federal government for not following its Jan 2019 orders to release Rs1 billion for the New Balakot City project.

“We have been filing a contempt petition against the federal government for not following the Supreme Court’s ruling for the rehabilitation of health and educational facilities and New Balakot city housing project meant for the survivors of the 2005 earthquake,” social activist Sheeraz Mehmood Qureshi told a jirga in Balakot area on Monday.

The jirga, which was attended by the residents of Balakot red zone in large numbers, unanimously adopted a resolution demanding strict action over the transfer of Rs1.9 billion funds meant for the rehabilitation of Balakot earthquake survivors to Multan by then Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Complains govt not acting on court orders for release of Rs1bn

Mr Qurashi, whose writ petition had led to the passing of the apex court ruling by former Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, said both federal and provincial governments had failed to ease the agony of earthquake survivors, so Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmad should step in for their relief.

Former president of the district bar association Munir Hussain Lughmani, who was also in attendance, said over 300 schools and dozens of health facilities hadn’t been rebuilt even 15 years after destruction by an earthquake.

The jirga also demanded an inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of funds raised locally for Balakot calamity-hit families.

WEATHER EMERGENCY: The district administration has ordered the tehsil municipal administrations, communication and works department and other relevant authorities to prepare themselves to handle possible emergency due to heavy rains starting today (Tuesday).

In a formal communication, district disaster management officer Talat Fahad has informed the tehsil municipal administrations, communication and works departments, civil defence and Rescue 1122 in Mansehra, Balakot, Oghi, Darband and Baffa-Pakhal tehsils that a fresh spell of rain was expected to begin in Hazara division on Tuesday and it could trigger flash floods and landslides in hilly and calamity-prone areas.

She said rains could significantly increase water flow in rivers, streams and nullahs, so the departments should remain on a high alert to deal with any emergency.

“The tourists should be informed about weather forecast, while availability of all emergency services, staff, machines and other resources should be made available where deemed necessary,” she said in the order.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2020