Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

11. Whether administrations of the Provincial Governments in private and
official capacity are responsible for failing to manage affairs of flood affectees
justly or properly, if so, what action is suggested against them?
Finding: Primary source of disaster was attributable to the collapse of irrigation
structures, new and old, that caused unprecedented damages to rest of the
public and private infrastructure and property. However, the magnitude of losses
is so large, that no individual or government was in a position to compensate for
the losses on stand alone basis, at least immediately. The more so, as for over
three decades, Pakistan’s scarce resources have been diverted to unwelcome
wars imposed during extra-constitutional regimes, without peoples’ sanction
since widened to a three-dimensional security threat, from within and without,
under extraordinary conditions. Following measures may be considered:
a. The action against officials of the Punjab government held
responsible for acts of omission and commission as identified by
the Punjab Judicial Commission be proceeded against in due
process.
b. The Governments may sensitize the WB about the direct and
indirect losses caused by breach in Taunsa’s LMB that had
cascading effect on other bunds with request to absorb expenditure
on (a) above, plus other compensation for the affectee-farmers in
Muzaffargarh District.
c. In Sindh also, the then Secretary Irrigation and Chief Engineer
Guddu be thoroughly investigated under direct supervision of Sindh
High Court, to account for their failure to take timely preventive
measures, reasonably predicted in February 2010 and before, with
respect to Tori Bund and the acts and omissions leading to its
eventual collapse after the onset of heavy rains on 27 th July 2010 in
KP and G-B and consequent floods.
d. Likewise, the CE and SE Kotri be subjected to explain their failures
to rectify and repair MS and PB Bunds, despite four-week advance
warning.
e. Special audit of all the provincial irrigation works executed during
last 10 years at least, be conducted.
f. Strengthening of Federal Flood Commission and oversight of the
NDMA as per law.
g. In the immediate to short term Farmers’ association may be
encouraged to persuade their members to avail insurance cover
through ‘Zarai Taraqiati Bank’ (ZTBL) window.
h. Long-term bonds may be issued to farmers having subsistence
holdings, through ZTBL, as a token of recognition of their damages
suffered due to consistent official neglect.
12. Whether embankment of River Indus was being maintained annually, if not
so, who is responsible for the same?
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