When will Balakot be rehabilitated?

BALAKOT: 11 years have passed since one of the deadliest earthquakes in the country’s history devastated everything in Balakot on October 8, 2005, but the residents here still await resolution of their issues.

The people in Balakot, the city most affected by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake, do not have proper residences, hospitals, while their children are forced to stay in tents to the date.

"We have been forced to live in the same temporary shelters here despite 11 years have passed," says tehsil nazim Rustam Khan, adding these shelters were only made for three years.

Apart from accommodation, the other major issue being faced by the people here is the absence of health and education facilities.

"The Tehsil Headquarter Hospital of Balakot is yet to be built. Announcements were made with regard to schools, but only a few could be reconstructed," complains Khan. "The children study here in tents and shelter homes."

He says government officials visit the city and make lofty claims every year on October 8, but then they just vanish.

The child who was born in the shelter of red zone has now turned 11, but none of the issues could be resolved here, the tehsil nazim adds.

Another local, Mian Altafur Rahman says, "We would now travel along with our families to Peshawar and Islamabad, and sit before the assemblies in protest. We would not leave until our problems are not addressed".

The quake-affectees here question those at the helm as what for are officials of the relief organisations being paid huge salaries and given perks for the past 11 years.

"Why has not the rehabilitation process completed? Who would account for these expenses? Will those demonstrating negligence in their duty ever get punished? When will our miseries come to an end or will they not ever?" the residents of Balakot ask.