Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

n. During the Commission’s visit to Thatta’s two breach sites, M.S.
and P.B. Bunds, a large number of people gathered at the breach
site, including their local MNA reiterated their grievances in general
as well as in specific terms. 28 witnesses got their statements
recorded. They alleged that relief was not provided to them and
many others, despite verified losses. It was stated that the bunds
had breached due to poor or non-maintenance as well as illegal
pumps, pipes/cuts allowed in connivance with Irrigation officials to
irrigate farms behind the bunds. The officials frequently used the
area for evenings/nights recreational parties. It was also asserted
that against 3-4 days normal travel time from Kotri, the 2010 Flood
took weeks to arrive at Thatta; while it had given ample time to I
and P Department to take safety measures to reinforce the weaker
sections of the bunds, it did not demonstrate its sense of
responsibility; the people also had not been warned despite more
than adequate time-lag of almost 4-weeks since heavy downpours
generated super flood in KP Province towards the end of July.
Discriminatory exclusion from Watan Card dispensation was also
alleged. Satisfaction was expressed that work on restoration of
breached bunds had started/ nay coincided with the Commission’s
visit, with the hope that it would be completed without delay. The
Commission noted the HFL watermark on the portions of bunds
that had not breached; that confirmed that with its normal height,
these bunds could not have been overtopped.
SECTION-2
OFFICIAL TESTIMONIES
FEDERAL MINISTRIES/ DIVISIONS/ ORGANIZATIONS
15. 64 officials representing the respondents arraigned in the petitions, or
those engaged directly or indirectly in the flood-management (excluding Federal
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