Prime Minister Gilanis call to the international community to help Pakistan cope with floods is too little too late. It is very much pinching to learn that while the floods were forming, causing large scale destruction, drowning hundreds of people, turning bustling cities like Nowshera into gigantic lakes, displacing hundreds of thousands of citizens, there was simply no response either from Prime Minister, or the President. The latter was planning to launch son Bilawal into politics in UK. The poor souls in the flood zone meanwhile have been left to fend for themselves - stranded and in extreme desperation for lack of help from government - are making attempts to reach some place of safety, using makeshift boats. For the first few days, the PPP-led dispensation simply kept beating about the bush by saying that the flooding was massive and there was no way it could have been tackled, thus evading its rescue duty. The lack of action have also brought home the governments shortcoming as a guardian of its citizens. The reason, of course, can be found in weak institutionalisation, corruption and failure of successive governments to develop a disaster management department in true sense of the word. Again, the inability of the civilian administration to carry out the basic duty of rescuing the flood survivors prompted the need to rope in the army. Putting to use all its resources - motorboats, trucks, helicopters, and groups of committed soldiers - the army was able to successfully airlift and transport people who had literally lost all hope. On the contrary, the inefficiency of the civilian government and the district bureaucracy can be gauged from a sham, medical relief camp consisting of a few charpoys and pitchers set up to hoodwink Prime Minister Gilani that all was well. Broadly speaking, the people tend to translate such events in a manner, which has a negative bearing on the credibility of the civilian administration vis--vis the military. Here is urgent need to ensure that the states civilian institutions, which have much resources available at their disposal, become active and develop the habit to respond to crises at short notice. The leadership ought to open its eyes to the reality. It is time total energy was utilized to help millions displaced from their homes and looking for food and shelter. The pencil pushing bureaucracy along with the civilian administrative set-ups primary duty is to be out in the flood affected areas and helping the victims.