ISLAMABAD: The Government will consider a suggestion to have a National Assembly committee to oversee relief operations in the quake-devastated areas in the northern region, the House was told today [Jan 21]. In giving this assurance, the Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Mr Aziz Ahmed pointed out that the task proposed to be assigned to such a body was primarily an executive function “which we will happily discharge to the satisfaction of the stricken people and the generous donors”. …

Suggestions for the House committee came from Opposition … Members, including their Leader, Mr. Abdul Wali Khan. … The House was unanimous in thanking the friendly countries, particularly of the Muslim world, for their generous donations. … The Treasury Benches … refuted some criticism from Opposition Members who expressed doubts about the handling of relief material by Government functionaries. Rejecting the charges, Mr. Aziz Ahmed said: “It is not fair to the officers who are working under the most arduous conditions”. … Earlier Opposition Leader Abdul Wali Khan called for establishing a [NA] committee to supervise the expenditure of every penny out of the relief funds.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2025