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Opp condemns PML’s Eid party

* Accuses Chaudhrys of using Punjab CM’s helicopter for fun
* Demands inquiry into delayed rescue and relief operations

By Shahzad Raza

ISLAMABAD: The opposition in the National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday criticised senior Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leaders for having a good time during Eid when several people in the quake-hit areas are in need of financial and moral assistance.

“Were they catching fish for the quake victims in Kashmir?” asked Raja Pervez Ashraf, the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) secretary general. He was referring to a news report about Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chaudhry Shafaat Hussain and Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain were having good time in Mandi Bahauddin during Eid.

The NA resumed debate on the earthquake although Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz concluded it before Eid. When the NA proceedings started, less than 20 members were present in the 342-seat house.

However, the opposition did not point out a lack of quorum and every member claimed that his or her party was leading relief operations. The PPPP leader said the Chaudhries and Mushahid Hussain allegedly used the Punjab chief minister’s helicopters to go to Mandi Bahauddin for fun. They went for fishing and motorcycle ride before returning to Islamabad at 3:30pm. He said that sincere leaders would have stayed with the quake victims during Eid to share their pain and sorrow. He said the army had failed to carry out proper rescue and relief operations, asking why military commandos were not sent to the inaccessible areas to rescue victims.

The PPPP leader told the house that Chinese rescuers were the first to reach Balakot, while the French rescue team arrived in the evening, but it took three days for the Pakistan army to reach there.

He demanded an inquiry into the delay in relief operations.

He said the government had failed to tell the international community about the actual magnitude of the devastation, adding that poor response from foreign counties and donor agencies was because of the government’s mismanagement of the situation. Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry, a PML leader, dismissed Mr Ashraf’s claims that Chaudhry Shujaat had celebrated Eid in Mandi Bahauddin. He said that the PML president was in Bagh among the earthquake victims.

Israrul Ibad, a Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader, claimed that Altaf Hussain was the only leader who realised the gravity of the situation and ordered party workers to respond swiftly.

He asserted the MQM had set up 20 relief camps in Karachi within 30 minutes of the earthquake.

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