Unknown donor gives $200,000 for quake relief
An anonymous donor has sent a cheque for $200,000 for
In a report dated January 29, Dr Hoodbhoy told supporters of the Eqbal Ahmad Foundation in the US and elsewhere that so far the two foundations established in the Pakistani intellectual’s memory had received $425,000, which, he added, “was far beyond anything we had expected”.
He said nearly $250,000 of the money received had been spent, the bulk of it towards the construction of 843 shelters – wooden frame with corrugated iron sheets on all sides and some basic insulation on the inside – across Azad Kashmir and the NWFP. In addition, the reconstruction of 15 houses was in progress and some relief materials were still being provided. “We are tempted to use the remaining funds for rebuilding of schools, over 16,000 of which were destroyed or damaged,” he wrote, adding that because of the weather, no construction activities can seriously begin for another two months.
Dr Hoodbhoy said he had just returned from Batgram, NWFP, and could report that life has limped back to a kind of normalcy, but most people are still living in tents in spite of the bitter cold because of daily after-shocks and because they feel that if they move back into their homes after fixing them, they will be denied compensation – if and when it comes – by the army authorities. Students told him that the army has distributed cheques amounting to Rs 25,000 to most, but not all, villagers. It was not clear whether this was a first instalment, or if it was to be followed by others. Some said there would be five similar instalments, but nobody really knows. However, the recipient needs a bank account to cash these cheques, which almost no one has.
“This explains why we saw an incredible mile-long queue outside Habib Bank in Batgram town on the way to Shinglipayeen. The bank’s business hours are only between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. People have stood outside for days on end. We were told that one man froze to death just the night before,” Dr Hoodbhoy reported.
The report said relief has become a major industry. Aid agencies are present in huge numbers now, and they have put up large banners along the roadside to announce their presence. Islamic organisations predominate, but there are several international organisations present as well, including from Turkey, China and Cuba. Chinook helicopters have been seen ferrying goods, but the flights are now few and far between. There is also reduced army presence in the area as compared to Azad Kashmir.
Dr Hoodbhoy wrote, “All said and done, the forces of God have emerged as the true beneficiaries of His wrath. Jihadist organisations, which are formally banned as terrorist organisations by the government now, have achieved a new legitimacy and strength in the earthquake areas. They freely use Pakistan Army vehicles and facilities, display huge banners, and flaunt their weapons. A month earlier, I had the opportunity to ask the army’s official spokesman in Islamabad how this could be permitted but did not receive much of an answer beyond a shrug of his shoulders.”
Source: Daily Times
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February 4th, 2006 at 9:39 am
[...] Pakistan Earthquake: Unknown donor gives $200,000 for quake relief Jihadist organisations, which are formally banned as terrorist organisations by the government now, have achieved a new legitimacy and strength in the earthquake areas. They freely use Pakistan Army vehicles and facilities, display huge banners, and flau (tags: Earthquake Pakistan donations) [...]
March 3rd, 2006 at 5:01 am
Dear Brother/Sister
We appeal to you to kindly spare few moments from your precious time to read our dreadful plea as well as our suicide note (enclosed herewith) along with the evidence. We request you to assess whether or not we are justified in taking such an extreme step.
Please remember that neither we are extremist nor are we very fond of dieing miserably before our deaths comes to us from nature. We have been virtually forced to take our own lives because of the malicious intents of highly corrupt, merciless, and self centred members of government. No doubt like any other human being we also loved to live but our will and happiness has been snatched by the cold blooded murderers who are more powerful then ever and moving freely with their venomous deeds.
If you are fractionally sceptic about us and our will to take our lives then don’t bother to give a thought about us. But if you are convinced that we have been made victims of ferociousness of our rulers then please provide us your moral support in getting our rights.
We will pray from your well being and long life.
Shaheen Sadiq
and 6 others
02/03/2006