Imran Khan was the first to grab the opportunity. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif followed. The People’s Party leadership was a bit late.
Since the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the city of Bannu has become an ideal photo op. It is not easy to say who really wants to help and who just yearns for a front-page picture or prime-time coverage.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) created a fund to help the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). So did the prime minister. The chief ministers are trying to beat each other to it too. The second and third tier leaders keep themselves alive in press-statement headlines if they cannot make it all the way to Bannu.
Around one million people left their homes and businesses to flee a military operation against the Taliban. The militants either fled from Miranshah and Mir Ali, their two major strongholds in North Waziristan, or put up a feeble resistance.
On his first visit to the IDP camps in Bannu, the PTI chief told people how callous and heartless the federal government was in dealing with their crisis. The prime minister invited Imran Khan to accompany him when he visited Bannu. The PTI turned down the invitation, mockingly saying Imran Khan was not interested in photo ops.
The prime minister doubled the allowance for the IDPs during the holy month of Ramzan. He assured them of his full support. “You are not alone. We are with you,” he told them. “And this is not charity. This is our responsibility.”
The federal government released billions of rupees for the IDPs from the national exchequer. Hardly any senior PML-N leader or federal cabinet member donated from his or her personal account.
Trolleys filled with food ration wait to be delivered
Critics are justified in asking how much funds the Sharif family, among the richest in Pakistan, cough up from their own accounts.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Syed Khurshid Shah, is heading a committee constituted by the People’s Party co-chairman to deal with the matter. He is worried there is a lack of interest among senior party leaders to help the IDPs. Recently, a People’s Party delegation visited the IDPs in Bannu. A veteran leader from Peshawar came all the way to Islamabad, instead of going to Bannu directly, just for a helicopter ride along with other leaders.
Just like the PML-N, hardly any senior People’s Party leader was generous enough to donate from his or her personal fund. Some party leaders were seen distributing food bags sent by a property tycoon.
The PTI is no exception. In fact it is being criticized more than the other parties, because it was expected to utilize its experience and expertise in charity work. Imran Khan was himself an amazing fundraiser when he was building his cancer hospital in early 1990s. Unfortunately, a remarkable fundraising campaign for the IDPs is yet to be seen.
[quote]Hardly any politician donated from his or her personal account[/quote]
The influx of people from the trouble tribal agency is said to be second largest displacement of people in the region after 1947. However, the tales of recent sacrifice fell short of impressing the public in general and politicians in particular.
When a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit Pakistan in 2005, killing thousands, the passion of all Pakistanis to help their brethren was outstanding. Trucks loaded with goods reached earthquake-hit areas within days. People collecting funds even approached commuters at busy crossroads because every single rupee mattered. That was one of the few times when the entire Pakistani nation seemed to be united for a single cause.
Labourers unload sacks of flour
The IDPs have found temporary abodes from Bannu to Sindh, subject to possibilities and options. Among them was Ahmed Shah, a shopkeeper from Miranshah, who preferred to stay in an IDP camp. He complained about lack of facilities, like drinking water and electricity.
The situation demands war-like preparations, marathon meetings, rigorous monitoring, and frequent trips by top politicians. But instead of canceling his personal activities, the prime minister took a 10-day recluse in the holy land where he was forcefully banished once by a military dictator.
The PTI chairman was visiting London and having good time with his sons and friends— at least as shown in his pictures.
The People’s Party co-chairman, former President Zardari, was in the United States. Besides other meetings, he would have an Iftar dinner with Vice President Joe Biden.
Unaware of their leaders’ foreign visits, most IDPs will celebrate Eid away from home, in ways they did not expect or wish for.
