The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction on measures being taken by the federal government in rehabilitation of the survivors of the devastating earthquake of 2005.
In a suo motu notice of an alleged embezzlement of over $5 billion, the CJP has sought a response from the government within 10 days while asking where was money arranged for other projects including the Multan Metro and the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Furthermore, the top judge has also summoned National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman Lieutenant General Omar Mahmood Hayat on the next hearing on Monday.
“If Balakot city and dams are not constructed, I will protest alongside the general public,” he said, while expressing grave concerns on the condition of people living under makeshift prefabricated houses in severe cold temperatures and an indefinite delay in New Balakot Housing project.
“The Prime Minister (PM) should have visited those areas,” he said, asking that if he as the CJP could visit such places on a notice of four hours why could not the PM?
“Schools and health facilities were all destroyed in the entire region, but are still not reconstructed despite the passage of 11 years,” he said further.
Replying to his concerns, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor claimed that the PM was not aware of the situation. Justice Nisar asked him how was he not aware of the province’s situation. “Then, they complain about our judicial activism, we do not like to assert our authority,” he said.
Published in Daily Times, January 2nd 2019
