SIALKOT
The mammoth destruction in Sialkot during floods was mainly because of the grooves made in the nullahs Aik, Palkhu, Bhaid and Dek at most of the points by land mafia with connivance of government officials, it is learnt.
A district officer on the condition of anonymity said, “The local politicians are behind encroachments on the nullahs and we are threatened not to take action against the people belonging to the ruling party in the cities and the family members of MNAs and MPAs in rural areas.”
He also criticised the role of bureaucrats, and said, “Similarly, our (bureaucrats) role is also shameful as we save even our minor interest but do not fight for the people’s rights.” He said, “The revenue, highways and canal departments have actual measurements and pathways of the nullahs. We can undo the wrongs done by such people within a period of six months. But the district administration is unable to enforce writ of the government as the government consists of such the politicians who are or patronise the encroachers.”
According to another district officer, “The capacity of Head Marala works is approximately 1,200,000 cusecs of water whereas only 881,000 cusecs floodwater hit Sialkot this year which was easily handled. However, disinformation about the capacity and media hype aggravated the situation for us.”
He added, “During the relief activities, a hoax was created about floodwater and the administration’s ability to handle it that is condemnable.” He said nullahs Aik and Palkhu are catchment areas for rivers Jammu and Tavi. Normally, floodwater is firstly released into these two rivers by India while the water in Chenab and Manawer Tavi reach Pakistan in the second phase. But this time, India released water into Chenab and Manawer Tavi first. That is why, the water flow in rivers Jammu and Tavi breached Chaprar and flooded nullahs Aik and Palkhu.
When contacted, Sialkot DCO Nadeem Sarwar admitted that nepotism, black sheep in the government, land mafia and bad governance are behind flood disaster in the district.
Meanwhile, various Sialkot villages are still cut off from rest of the district. The rulers have been visiting the district to check the relief work and give instructions for necessary action on the spot. Thus, the district administration has to bear the expenditure of their visits in the shape of staying in hotels, lunches, dinners, cigarettes and even mobile loads.
According to sources, “Lavish food for the dignitaries is the responsibility of Registrar Urban Syed Usman Hasan so one of his clerks arranges food for the rulers. This clerk has spent all his savings for keeping his boss happy and is indebted to his close friends of about Rs400,000.”
However, sources said, the clerk has been asked by some authorities that he would be paid from some government fund soon. The hotel expenses are also unpaid as the hotel owner is famous for serving the police and administrative officers.