MUZAFFARABAD, Sept 2: At a time when even date might not be available to most of the people, affected by the worst ever floods in the country’s history, to break their fast, some government functionaries in Azad Kashmir (AJK) appear to be forgetful of the plight of their countrymen and are throwing sumptuous Iftar parties at state expense, it has been observed.

On Wednesday night, AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Anwaarul Haq hosted an Iftar party for as many as 200 people in a private hotel here in sheer disregard to frequent appeals for austerity as well as donations in the face of the prevailing situation in the country.

The party was attended by AJK President Raja Zulqarnain Khan, acting Prime Minister Chaudhry Mohammad Aziz, ministers, senior government officials and others.

An official source told Dawn that the hotel was ordered to make arrangements for Iftar cum dinner of around 200 people and the event would have cost no less than Rs125,000 to state exchequer.

He, however, admitted that the party could have been avoided and the amount thus saved diverted to the flood relief funds. “It is unfortunate that most of our politicians seldom practice what they preach,” said Attique Ahmed Kiani, head of Al Mustafa Welfare Society, a non-governmental organisation, rendering relief services in the affected areas.

“Is it not ironical that while we are begging even for pennies to buy edibles for our marooned compatriots in Neelum valley our public office holders are ruining money on sumptuous parties,” he said.

A day earlier, another minister had also hosted an Iftar dinner at the same place but it was unclear if he had borne the expenditures from his pocket or from official entertainment funds.

Former minister and opposition lawmaker Noreen Arif said she had been invited to the Iftar party but she preferred to stay at home.

“When people in many areas are facing acute shortage of essential food items due to recent flash floods and landslides, it does not look good that we host and attend extravagant parties from the taxpayers’ money,” she told Dawn, adding that she would raise this issue at an appropriate forum.

“This money should have been directed to the welfare of the affected people.”

The official source said the speaker’s party was also attended by some envoys from the embassy of Oman but admitted that even that

did not justify such a big gathering.

When this correspondent asked the speaker through a text message whether it was appropriate to host a lavish Iftar party at this point of time, he angrily retorted that the questioner needed to know “exact facts”.

However, despite repeated messages he did not disclose what he had referred to as “exact facts”.

It may be mentioned here that Mr Haq had been critical of extravagance of the AJK governments as long as he was in the opposition. Elected on the ticket of Peoples Muslim League of Barrister Sultan Mahmood, he was however elected as LA speaker by Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan as part of a deal for the latest political change in AJK.