‘Worst-ever flooding could destabilize Pak government in coming months’
September 6th, 2010 - 4:55 pm ICT by ANI
Thata Sial (Pakistan), Sep 6(ANI): Pakistani officials, diplomats and aid workers have warned that while a civil unrest has so far been averted, the aftermath of the worst-ever flooding in the country could destabilize the government in the months to come.
According to The New York Times, most political commentators said that President Asif Ali Zardari and his government are safe for the time being only because no one wants to take on the immense responsibilities of the crisis.
They also claim that the main opposition leader, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, does not appear ready to test his party in national elections.
Another expert said that the management of the disaster has added to the distrust that many Pakistanis already feel for their civilian political leaders.
The expert said that the government’s situation had also deteriorated following the efforts put in by the armed forces, who have been performing rescue and relief missions in the affected areas.
Among the displaced people in Punjab and Sindh Provinces, many said that they do not expect the government to handle the situation any better.
“The influential ones are getting all the money and the poor will get nothing,” said Wazir Ali, whose family is camping in a relief camp in Sindh.
Qaim Din, a farm labourer, said that he was not optimistic about government promises, and feared going back to his village when the floods receded.
“We will die of hunger. We are very poor, ” Din said.
The floods have claimed the lives of over 1600 people, and affected an estimated 20 million people, an eighth of the population. (ANI)
- Sindh CM admits failure on flood victim protection policies - Aug 17, 2010
- China to give $5 million more for Pakistan's flood victims - Oct 07, 2011
- Flood waters recede, people return home in north Pakistan - Aug 30, 2010
- Zardari pledges help to flood victims - Sep 08, 2011
- Over 300 killed, 6 million affected in Pakistan floods - Sep 18, 2011
- 88 dead in Pakistan floods - Sep 05, 2011
- Stocks run out in Pakistan's flood-hit areas: UN - Oct 30, 2011
- Pakistanis increasingly going hungry: Pakistani daily - Jan 28, 2011
- UN appeals for $356 million to help flood-hit Pakistan - Sep 18, 2011
- Many Sindh cities evacuated due to flood - Aug 14, 2010
- Pakistani provincial minister quits - Nov 19, 2011
- Zardari orders arrests in Karachi rally firing - May 26, 2012
- Disease, hunger kill 17 flood survivors in Pakistan - Aug 31, 2010
- Pakistan Police to donate salary for flood relief - Sep 29, 2011
- Rich being shielded from Pakistan floods? - Aug 15, 2010
Tags: aid workers, asif ali zardari, civil unrest, diplomats, distrust, floods, former prime minister, main opposition leader, minister nawaz sharif, national elections, new york times, pakistani officials, pakistanis, political commentators, political leaders, prime minister nawaz sharif, punjab, relief missions, sindh, wazir