Fatima Bhutto questions efficacy of quake relief efforts
Thanking the other speakers for their tributes, she brought up some very intricate issues.
She lamented that one found meagre evidence of the state’s presence all over the disaster area and bemoaned that there were no bulldozers or other earth-moving equipment to deal with such abrupt catastrophes. “Where did those $6 billion of relief aid provided by the international agencies go?” she asked in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Why were we so unprepared for the eventuality despite having known for a long time that the ravaged area lay on a fault line?” she queried.
She was critical on Pakistan’s “excessive” dependence on foreign aid and expertise and said bluntly, “Why we are so independent on foreign aid and foreign know-how when we have considerable resources of our own and a highly trained manpower?”
She questioned the wisdom of shifting villages in the quake-ravaged areas to new sites rather than reconstructing them at the present ones.
Referring to a big hoarding depicting, a VIP calling for co-operation in semi-reconstruction of the quake-ravaged areas, she exclaimed, “Why semi-reconstruction? Why not total reconstruction?”. She expressed doubts on as to whether the President’s Relief Fund would be enough to cater to the massive needs of the affected areas.
Alongside the blunt questions, she praised the courage, fortitude and optimism that she found among the inhabitants of the ravaged area that saw devastation, which hardly has a parallel in recorded history. That is the subject matter of her book. “We must come together to appreciate the fortitude and courage of the affected people in their hour of extreme grief as it is something that is going to write history”, she said.
She narrated the case of a child, Afia Adnan, at the Sachet Clinic in
She was critical of the way VIPs and celebrities went over visiting the affected areas, victims and posing for photographers to seek publicity and praise, exploiting the tragedy of the inhabitants.
Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press (
She lauded the courage and kindred spirit of the people of Pakistan, who came forward most selflessly to help the distressed of the killer earthquake.
She also announced that Fatima would donate all the royalty from the book to rebuild the lives of children, victims of the apocalyptic quake, who had lost most of their dear ones to the monstrous tragedy, while the Oxford University Press (OUP) would give the proceeds from the sale of the book to The Citizens’ Foundation (
Noted journalist and President of the Karachi Press Club, Ghazi Salahuddin, outlined the activities, aims, and objectives of the Club. He narrated how the Club had always struggled to inculcate the spirit of tolerance and free debate in society and how, during dictatorial tenure lasting from 1977-1988, the Club was the only venue in the country where one could talk freely and discuss matters which had been declared taboo by the despots.
The quake, he said, brought to the fore a hope that otherwise was lacking in society.
“We have to focus on the people, on their stories”, he said.
He lauded Fatima’s effort as highly constructive.
Faisal Edhi, son of the internationally renowned social worker, Maulana Abdus Sattar
He praised the manner whereby even the most humble came forward to contribute their mite. He was highly appreciative of the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the nation. This, he said, is really a sign of a living, pulsating nation. He thanked all international agencies for aid, particularly the helicopters which, he said, made the rescue effort easier in a terrain where things otherwise would not have been very manageable.
Source: The News
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September 18th, 2006 at 3:46 am
This is a remarkable effort by Miss Bhutto and the things she mentioned in the speech are the real feelings of the effecties.She showed a great love and devotion to the people of her own nation.We must apperiaciate her step towards the care,love and sharing sorows of the nation.
September 18th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
i appreciate the work of miss bhutto we can learn a lot of from her experiencies and observation she gives a hope to nation we are proud on work of fatima.we are proud of fatima
September 23rd, 2006 at 3:59 am
Too much criticism leads to cynicism yet blind advocacy of any one side is also futile. Why do I feel the presence of a sentiment trying to annul any possible efforts done by paki government in the above text? While trying to be neutral in analysing Fatima Bhutto’s rhetorical exclamations , i personally find few of her obervations to be legitimate , her statements reflect a desire for excellence which , indeed is a just cause. Yet , let us not forget that we are talking about the same country which was hand to mouth 10 years ago , a country with the widest gap in earnings and expenditures , a country with highest rates of corruption agreed all over the world & a country where prime minister’s brother was assasinated during her own regime . Pakistan was hardly a surviving entity back then but AlHamDuLillah its breathing now and in the initial stages of sprinting to excellence in terms of economy , infrastructure , education,etc. Briefly , Pakistan is a lot better than what it used to be and ofcourse the govt is not perfect but it is the lesser evil than the greater evils of the past. Nonetheless, I am glad for having come across a personality from our generation who is enlightened enough to think wisely of her fellow country men and a lady to have the courage of speaking up her mind! AlHamDuLillah.