Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi can certainly be put in the ranks of politicians and leaders with a penchant for making absurd remarks – a group that includes Bush Jr and our very own President Zardari and his predecessor Musharraf, to cite just the tip of the iceberg. Given how the whole international community has failed to deliver on flood aid because of the lack of credibility of the government, it was incredible to hear Qureshi state his “horror” over the fact that the issue of transparent use of aid had become such a major domestic issue. In fact, we are horrified to discover that it has taken so long to make transparency in the use of aid the major issue that it should rightfully be. After all, had this been made a central issue at the time of the Kashmir earthquake, perhaps tales of earthquake funds being diverted elsewhere would not now be coming to light because there would already have been accountability of these funds. Nor is this all.
Is it not shameful for the government to find that the army had established its own relief fund thereby adding to the question marks over the government’s credibility – especially since there already was a Prime Minister’s relief fund? Unfortunately given public skepticism, that fund is hardly drawing major funds despite the fact that Pakistanis are giving in large amounts – but primarily to private charities and NGOs. Clearly the army felt more people would be willing to donate directly to its fund, given how its presence has been most visible in the flood-stricken areas. But the worst of it is the announcement by the Prime Minister, after talks with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, to establish a “clean” flood commission comprising people of “impeccable” character. This, more than any other instance, reflects an admission of a lack of credibility by the rulers.

So Qureshi should not be shocked to find Pakistanis seeking transparency when the government does not trust itself. Actually transparency should be made an even bigger issue by the people of Pakistan, regardless of what the international community feels. After all, this is money that belongs to the flood affectees and should go only to them, not be pilfered along the way by a corrupt government machinery. The needs of the stricken people are extreme and so far there is little visibility of the government functionaries actually undertaking effective flood relief work in the more remote parts of the country. The only effective presence of the state is the military’s – otherwise people are having to fend for themselves or starve to death – if disease does not overtake them first.

Article By Dr Shireen M Mazari