Posted on 10/13/2005 2:25:42 PM PDT by Arjun
The Rediff Special/Mohammad Shehzad
Muzaffarabad is no more
October 14, 2005
Mohammad Shehzad was among the first Pakistani journalists to visit Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which was totally razed by the October 8 earthquake. Relief has been slow and scarce. And nearly a week after the tremblor, he found a man digging through the rubble of his house for the bodies of his loved ones.
Six days have passed since the devastating earthquake shattered Muzaffarabad.
Most buildings in Azad Kashmir have been pulled down and those with cracks will have to be pulled down. In fact, entire Muzaffarabad needs to be rebuilt.
Power lines have been snapped, communication systems are down and thousands still await help.
Complete Coverage: Terror from the earth
Even Pakistan Army's SCOM, the only mobile service that operates within a three to four km radius is non-functional. The only means of communicating with the outside world is the satellite phone, a luxury not every Muzaffarabadi can afford.
Neelam Valley, which has no road-access, is the worst hit.
"We believe that casualty figures in the Neelam valley area could be around 12,000. The army is doing its best," Major Farooq, official spokesman of the Pakistan Army in Muzaffarabad, said.
The haphazard way the Pakistan government has handled the relief operations has led to widespread protests.
There are several places in Muzaffarabad where people are still trapped under layers of debris.
'Muzaffarabad no longer exists'
As we drove through Jalalabad Park, a man, Shabbir, invited our attention. Around 11 pm, he was trying to dig out a body from the wreckage of his home. "We have not received any help or aid from the government. We are doing everything on self-help basis," he lamented as he went about with his work.
Meanwhile, trucks continue to be looted on their way by irate mob. Poor logistical and bureaucratic backing and lack of security has resulted in 50 percent of the food material being wasted or stolen.
When the remaining food and other material does reach the quake-hit area, its distribution leaves a lot to be desired. There is no system in place to ascertain as to who needs aid and to what extent. Some families get excess of food, which they hoard, while others do not even get a milk packet.
'Musharraf, please leave'
No wonder hatred is profound among the people of Muzaffarabad and the surrounding villages against the President and the Prime Minister of 'Azad' Kashmir, who they claim fled from the scene immediately after the quake.
Many victims from Jalalabad Park, which is barely 25 metres from the residences of the prime minister and the president, do not hide their anguish and anger as they chant protest slogans against the two men, who they claim never even bothered to enquire about them.
People believe that the damage could have been less had the government been more sympathetic to its citizens.
Bombs will not secure a nation. The number of bombs that a nation has is not an indicator of its development, they say.
In fact, the October 8 quake has exposed the state's failure to protect its citizens.
What has the world lost?
Sounds like the citizenry has figured out that all that money spend on developing the Pakistan bomb, and then sharing it with their crazed neighbors could have gone to them and helped build their economy resulting in better buildings.
I mean heck, they can't even afford satellite phones!
30,000 people?
So many sad things about that terrible earthquake and the US experience with the recent hurricanes and flooding.
One thing I've noticed is that no matter where you are, no what your beliefs, you can't depend on the government to prevent or cure everything, or restore everything that is affected or destroyed. You can only do so yourself, with others of like mind, and it takes time, longer than the tenures of elected officials.
I am getting concerned about articles like this (and those on Katrina worldwide) that seek to blame the leaders in government for general misery that is inevitable from a natural disaster.
Untrue! I had one today! Love the olive spread! Geaux Tigers!
Asinine statement bud, really asinine. Try to defend it....
Sounds like the citizenry has figured out that all that money spend on developing the Pakistan bomb, and then sharing it with their crazed neighbors could have gone to them and helped build their economy resulting in better buildings.
I mean heck, they can't even afford satellite phones!
Duh, yep! Yep,yep, stoopid third worlders....duh, my mammy has a phone, cus the governmint give her one....duh yep.
The best and worst sides of FR. But ya take the bitter with the sweet.
Socialist beliefs. They demand government help even though they know in their hearts the gubmint cam't help cuz they can't get there. I will never live in an area that I would have to depend on gubmint for help. Nor would I ever expect help from government.
Are you saying the death toll has been exaggerated?
What was that about Katrina disaster being punishment by Allah?
It looks like it was a beautiful place.
Nice link. Beautiful pictures.
quite the opposite. It was a number of the early posters when Pakistanis said "18,000 dead" who were extrememly skeptical. Some other, geologically-knowledgeable folks, looking at the magnitude, the terrain, and the population, who said that the toll would be that much and more, who I was praising.
Thank you for those pictures and the link. Sad to think that they might be all that is left.
I hope the people can rebuild, this is a beautiful place.
I apologize for my temperament. Apparently some on FR don't realize how much culture and beauty exists past the East and West coasts of America....
Shock & Awe II, The Sequel?
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