Farzana Shah
About 3.3 million
people have been affected in an area of 20,000 Sq km. Most of the villages in
Kashmir and Hazara region have been flattened by the forces of destruction. The
response of the international community in terms of relief and rescue operation
is enormous. Those countries, whom our religo-political parties are never tired
of calling and terming anti-Islam and enemies of Islam to stir the sentiments of
the innocent masses for their political interests are in the fore front to help
the quake-victims. Many western countries responded swiftly after the tragic
quake and have sent helicopters, rescue teams, sniffing dogs, specialized
equipment, foodstuff and medicines. Earthquake experts, equipped with hi-tech
sensor and sniffing dogs, from Germany, UK, France, Turkey, Jordan, China,
Russia, Japan, Spain and US started arriving on October 9 the very next day of
the quake. Some eight American Chinook helicopters based in Afghanistan reached
Pakistan to reinforce rescue operation. The United Kingdom was the first to
dispatch a 15-member disaster expert team of specialists with infrared and sound
sensors who saved quite a few precious lives by recovering trapped persons from
under the rubbles of Margalla Towers. Another team of 88 members from UK was
sent to Muzaffarabad for relief and rescue operations. A 25-member French team
also arrived the very next morning of the earthquake equipped with quake-related
goods and left for Rawlakot straightaway. A 50-member Chinese rescue team also
arrived the same day and went to Balakot to render solace to the afflicted
there. A Japanese rescue team also joined the rescuers and took up the mission
in Batagram. Similarly 26 Spaniards with six sniffing dogs started the rescue
operations in Bagh. The Russian Government sent 43 specialists with special
vehicles and sniffing dogs who engaged themselves without any rest or respite in
Muzaffarabad for relief and rescue operation in the worst-hit areas.
Belgium, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Italy, Poland; you name the country and we
have it here in Pakistan for helping the quake-victims. These were the
statistics of the October 9 the next morning of the devastating earthquake while
relief from these and scores of other non-Muslim countries is still pouring in
in shape of equipment, helicopters, relief goods, cash, rescue workers and
medical teams. We have seen these non-Muslims digging out people alive,
treating them in emergency hospitals and reaching out to the people in far-flung
areas of Pakistan badly damaged by the earthquake. However, what we did not see,
unfortunately, were the most of our otherwise highly vocal and venerated
personalities at the scenes of disaster. Though, some were seen in the media
pictures; in one, 6 of them childishly holding on to an atta bag being doled out
to an old woman. Clearly, more of a photo session than a humane act!
One might be forced to think as to what is amiss in us; unfortunately, the
answer appears to be 'the lack of sense of responsibility' on the part of our
religio-political parties in this hour of our national trial. It is very hurting
that the so called well-wishers of Islam, who always vow saving Muslims around
the world by announcing Jihad, did not think even for a minute to give a similar
call for saving the lives of their own countrymen hit by the worst earthquake.
Just from mere expression of grief over the quake devastation, from Maulana
Fazlur Rehman and Qazi sahab, we have not heard anything practical from them for
the quake-affectees. Giving calls for strikes against government and staging
long marches on the smallest pretext, be it a hike in petroleum price or
something else, has been their favourite pastime. But when the call was needed
the most we did not hear anything from them. They have the experience of
mobilizing thousands of youth for Jihad, and had they mobilized some for the
relief activities in quake-hit areas hundreds of the victims could have been
saved. In the days following the earth quake the extent of damage and loss of
life in the NWFP areas was not immediately known. However, soon afterwards it
was apparent that the damage had been massive. What is still surprising that
even after the passage of 9 days the religo-political parties have not bothered
to mobilize their activists for the relief work in affected areas. We have seen
individuals reaching even the remotest areas for relief and rescue operations.
Dozens of volunteers are leaving for the quake-hit areas daily but unfortunately
the so-called guardians of Islam have not started any of their activities as yet
in these areas. Some activists of Jamaat-i-Islami are busy in collecting
donations for the affected people but the effort looks more to be personal than
that of an organized Jama't. When an activisit of Al-Khidmat -a social
organisation of JI- was asked, as to why their leaders had not announced sending
large numbers of their party workers to the devastated areas, he replied "it's
Ramazan so how can we go there now". Strange isn't? Does Ramazan prevent
helping the victims? If they think it so, why has not any religious authority
given a Fatwa regarding observing fasts as Qazi to take part in saving the lives
of the Muslim brethren buried under the rubbles of their collapsed houses. Were
they more exhausted by fasting or gloomy than a father who buried his son killed
in the quake, put on his uniform and engaged himself in tending the wounded and
injured quake-victims. Yes, Sir, I am talking of Brigadier Dr. Ihsan whose house
collapsed and his 11 year old son was killed, and he soon after burying his son
resumed his duty to treat the injured of the quake. If he could be there to
serve the humanity what holds back our religious zealots and their parties who
are otherwise always in the fore front to serve the cause of Jihad and Islam?
Are the quake victims not Muslims? Moreover, it was the samie very destroyed
areas which supplied the religo-political parties with the youth used by them
for the Jihadi forces i.e Hazara Division and the Kashmir, but now they have
been left high and dry to die by their mentors. One cannot help beating one's
chest at the absurdity of the argument put forward by some of these so-called
religious authorities that "this calamity has hit the country due to the deeds
of the present rulers and their enlightened moderation." Well, well, if their
such argument is to be given even an iota of credence then why the poor,
innocent and pious people were made to bear the brunt and not Musharraf and
colleagues? Do they think Allah (swt) to be that unjust to punish someone else
for the wrongdoings of some one else? Tauba Astaghfar! It is a pure and simple
case of natural calamity and could have happened any where at any time. That's
part of our faith. And we all those who have been mercifully spared the calamity
must respond to those hit by it with our most humble and humane spirit of
rendering all possible help to them that we can offer in our this hour of trial.
Let's forget for a change trying to gain some political mileage out of the human
suffering. Qazi Sahib's objection to the participation of the NWFP Chief
Minister in the National Security Council's meeting leaves much to be desired.
The NWFP CM did not lose anything by attending the NSC meeting. On the contrary
the province is richer by a billion rupees which would certainly alleviate the
lot of many in the disaster hit areas. Does Qazi Sahib not want more money to be
spent on the quake hit victims? Addressing a press conference in Mansoora on
October 14, he said that Durrani had violated the party discipline by
participating in NSC meeting. Qazi Sahib would have gained much in stature had
he himself endorsed the participation of Durrani Sahib in the NSC meeting, and
had he also sent the JI activists to the quake-victims in time. He would have
been remembered by people and history as the survivor of many lives. But, alas,
he doesn't seem to be destined for such a glory.
