Having spent most of the years in Karachi, I had no clue how a massive earthquake feels like before the recent earthquake in October. I was in Murree when earthquake hit Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other parts of the Asian region. During continued jolts—which lasted for 80 to 90 seconds— I still remember that it was extremely difficult for me to stand on the surface. I witnessed people around me reciting Kalma, screaming, falling down on the surface amidst sound of the shattering glasses, shaking trees etc. It all happened within 90 seconds. After the jolts, our TV channels— once again keeping the tradition of never missing any opportunity—flooded with “breaking news” tickers and successfully created chaos among masses at a situation which needed to be dealt tranquilly.

On my way back to Islamabad, I heard that a volunteer-based organization is going with relief to Shangla District. So I went with them to gauge the damage and government’s efforts in managing the situation.


A view from Chakesir (Photo Credit: Author)

Shangla District has captivating sights, green valleys and flowing River Indus covered by huge mountains. Its population is 0.4 million and has four Tehsils. Shangla is considered to be most affected area in this earthquake and Tehsil Chakesir, with a population of 50,000 people, has witnessed most of the destruction. A man wearing German Red Cross jacket apprised that 60 per cent of damage done by earthquake has occurred in Shangla.

A collapsed house in Syedano Dero (Photo Credit: Author)

According to an estimate by Musharraf Shah, a local person who was leading the relief campaign in Tehsil Chakesir, the death toll has reached up to 58 in Shangla District and most of the deaths happened in Chakesir. Shah also added that overall 1,200 houses have completely collapsed in Shangla District, 400 alone in Chakesir. As far as injuries are concerned, it is difficult to count or classify because there were so many people - as I personally witnessed - who had severe or minor injuries.

No measures have been taken yet to clear debris (Photo Credit: Author)

The news of death and destruction can be easily found on various news sources. The purpose of this story is not to discuss only damages but to shed light on government’s response, incompetence and things that are required immediately.    

When I reached Chakesir, all I saw was a helicopter flying from one mountain to another to oversee the progress and estimate the damage, I guess. I hardly saw any government representative on ground providing relief to victims. There were locals, like the one I mentioned above, who were assisting volunteers from different NGOs and taking them to victims.

A volunteer, Ishaq Khattak Badshah, is carrying steel sheet (Photo Credit: Author)

It would be really unjust to say that the government has not done anything. It has provided water-friendly tents. If it rains, tents would welcome water with open arms. It has also provided food, which was thrown down from a helicopter. I also asked Shah about PM’s visit in Shangla. He laughed and said that during a briefing session to PM on earthquake destruction, his adviser, Ameer Maqam, gave a speech on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) rather than briefing on victims’ miseries.

Provided tents that cannot protect people during rain and snowfall (Photo Credit: Author)

I also interviewed a local journalist about army’s efforts. He said on a condition of anonymity, “Army is clearing roads—which is also a need—but people need food and shelter.” Moreover, army is also responsible for evacuation and clearing debris. But pictures suggest that army is also unsuccessful in performing its duties.

The boy in black, Azmat, lost his mother and siblings in the earthquake (Photo Credit: Author)

Normally in developing countries where government is weak in providing relief, local or international NGOs play their role to bridge the gap between government and victims in disasters. Because of a few NGOs, our Interior Minister has outlined a new mechanism to curb all NGOs. Consequently, the aforementioned gap is rapidly widening. When we were on our way to Shangla, we received a call from a local and he said, “Do not say you are from an NGO otherwise police would stop and send you back.” And he was true in his prophecy. We were stopped by the police on four different check posts and they specifically asked, “Are you from any NGO?” Of course, we had to lie otherwise they would never have allowed us to enter Shangla. I think Pakistan is among very few countries where you have to lie for a noble cause.

Even though Shangla District is part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) but it falls under Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) where President of Pakistan oversees region’s affairs by directing governor of the province.  Reforms in PATA have been under debate but nothing significant has been achieved so far. As a result, the people of Shangla have suffered the most and are deprived of basic necessities because of centralist mindset—concentration of maximum power at centre level— in our federalism and constitutional ambiguity. According to a local, there is only one hospital in Chakesir which is almost dysfunctional.

I went to Syedano Dero (the area of Syeds) which is situated at the top of the mountain in Chakesir. This area has undergone huge devastation. There was only one place, which remained undamaged during the earthquake which was baithak, a place of meeting. Except baithak, almost every home has collapsed. Relief progress is insignificant due to two reasons. First, since it is situated on the top, the only way to reach there is to hike at least for 30 minutes. Second, the road—which connects it to main Chakesir Tehsil—is bumpy and it takes 3 hours to reach there. If the road is well-constructed then it is hardly a 30-minute drive.

The only road that connects main Cheksir Tehsil to Syedano Dero and other small villages (Photo Credit: Author)

Putting aside earthquake victims, a local apprised that hundreds of people had already lost their lives in past because of this road. “They die while on their way”, he added. The more interesting fact is that this only road was built by locals themselves in 1940s.

Most of the collapsed houses were made up of mud (Photo Credit: Author)

A lot can be written on Shangla and its deprivation. But I would suggest these things which need to be done urgently.  First, the winter season has arrived and I saw very few people who had warm clothes.  A friend from Shangla, Umar Bacha, just informed me that some children have died because of cold. They need warm clothes and jackets. Second, the government has provided them tents, which are not waterproof. Rains and snowfall has already started in Shangla. They need steel sheets that can protect them from water. Third, since there is no hospital on the mountain, a medical camp needs to be installed. Fourth, government must lift the restriction and facilitate NGOs because destruction is huge and it cannot be controlled by the government alone. I also wish to suggest that the government should also make proper roads but I know it would be an unjust demand considering the past records of government’s seriousness. Moreover, a streamlined PATA will ease the burden of many and will boost efficiency.  

They were really poor and had few things to eat but their hospitality has inspired me. So I have come to a conclusion that poor people are more generous than rich.  Now, these poor people require our generosity and help. Will we (government and people) stand with them?