Thaindian News

Washington, Aug.7 (ANI): In an attempt to cash in on public sympathy amidst the devastating floods which has affected over four million people and killed nearly 1600 in Pakistan, groups like the Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD), the front face of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has even appealed to the US to arrange for aid.

Taking advantage of the slow government response to the catastrophic deluge, several groups like the JuD have opened relief camps distributing food, medicines and other materials to counter the government’s anti-terror efforts by winning hearts of people.

The JuD, which usually can be seen spewing venom against the US and its policies, has requested Washington to help Pakistan in this crisis.

“Everyone should be digging in for humanity’s sake, and we shouldn’t be politicizing the matter. We aren’t reaching out with an agenda in mind. The whole world should be putting in aid, America or whoever else, and we want everyone to contribute,” The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) quoted JuD’s deputy spokesman Yahya Mujahid, saying.

The sudden change in JuD’s tone is an indication of its ulterior motives, which is to create a space in the heart and minds of people struggling to wade through the calamity.

The Pakistan government’s image has already taken a hit with President Asif Ali Zardari being hugely criticised for taking a foreign trip when his fellow countrymen are dying, and analysts point out that Zardari’s London trip has only added to the list of his blunders.

“It was a bad decision, but he’s been hated for 15 years, and will continue to be hated,” said Badar Alam, editor of Pakistan’s weekly Herald magazine. (ANI)