QUETTA: The families displaced by floods in Balochistan are still living under the open sky and suffering from waterborne diseases besides food shortage, said National Party leader Senator Kabir Ahmed Muhammad Shahi on Saturday.

Addressing a presser, Senator Shahi flanked by other leaders accused the government of leaving the victims at the mercy of the NGOs. He added that the floodwater in the Nasirabad division was still accumulated and people had no way of going back to their abodes. He alleged the government officials instead of providing relief goods to the deserving victims were storing the aid in warehouses.

He announced that the National Party would launch a protest movement along with the flood victims who were without shelter in Nasirabad, Kachhi, and Bolan.

The National Party leader asked where were the relief goods which were provided by NGOs, the National Disaster Management Authority, and other foreign counties, as the victims in Balochistan had not received material assistance, like tents, mosquito nets, etc.

He also criticised the federal government and said that it had left the victims at the mercy of donors, NGOs, and local administration. “They cannot help the victims directly, tents and necessities are available which are being given to the approved people instead of the victims,” he said. The lawmakers demanded that the irrigation department should start work on desilting the Kirthar, Pat Feeder, and other canals.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2022