Ministers blasted over misplaced priorities

Judge urges politicians to put poor first in push to get relief across to flood-hit areas

Here’s some food for thought. A Supreme Court judge yesterday expressed displeasure over the slow progress in relief and rehabilitation efforts in floodhit areas, blaming the lax attitude and luxurious choices of ministers responsible for the task.

“Holding meeting by eating cashew nuts, drinking mineral water and cardamom-flavoured tea will serve no purpose as provincial ministers will have to take practical measures to provide low-cost houses to the poor,” Justice Dost Muhammad Khan said.

Khan added that it was the need of the hour for ministers to collect funds for the purpose instead of undertaking unnecessary visits to the worst-affected areas.

“There should be an authority in the country to monitor such steps. If skilled experts provide technical and legal assistance, then it will benefit the poor. If houses are provided to those living along the banks of rivers then [the] loss of thousands of lives and other damages will not take place every year,” he said.

Forgotten promises

He blamed officials for forgetting promises made during election season, once elected.

“People have become chairmen and councillors through [the] votes of [these] people but no roof has been provided. If inhabitants have [a] right to vote, then why they have no right to get [a] roof [over their heads?]” he asked.

He lamented misplaced priorities — such as a parking enclave and a heaven garden — when there were more dire issues the country is facing.

“It seems as if there is no poor person in the country. If we issue orders according to the law and constitution, then there will be a difficult situation for the governments,” he warned.