After the devastating floods a few months ago in the northern areas, especially Swat, the government should have assisted the lower and vulnerable sections of society. Instead of playing its role, however, the government has left the people of the valley in the lurch.
Several organisations were active in the region distributing ration and other life essentials, but due to lack of coordination among these organisations, many of the affected people failed to receive any help.
As the government in Khyber Pakhtun-khwa (KP) did not show commitment and seriousness in the task, the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and other organisations returned with the machinery they had brought for rehabilitation purposes. In Swat, the main Bahrain bazaar is still in a bad shape, with dozens of hotels lying in a state of disrepair, and shops flooded with mud. Besides, no reconstruction of the fallen structures is allowed.
The main Kalam Road is unusable at several points, but there has been no reconstruction of the roads either. Instead of bridges, the people of the area have to use ‘lifts’ to cross the river.
The provincial government should have some mercy on the people of the areas that play host to local and international tourists through the year. Unfortunately, this winter Swat is not be able to welcome tourists owing to the apathy of the provincial government and the authorities concerned.
This is depriving the people of their legitimate income-generating opportu-nities, and, in the process, causing a heavy loss to the national excehquer as well.
USMAN TORWALI
SWAT
