Islamabad, November 22, 2024-The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench has expressed strong disapproval of the federal and provincial governments’ failure to rehabilitate victims of the 2005 earthquake, demanding a detailed progress report on the matter.
During a hearing led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, the six-member bench criticized the prolonged delays and lacklustre performance of the authorities in resettling affected individuals. The court questioned the accountability for these delays and demanded clarity on the steps taken thus far to aid the victims.
Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi lamented that 19 years had passed since the earthquake, yet many victims remained without proper rehabilitation. He pointed out that children affected by the disaster had now grown into adults, and adults had aged without witnessing meaningful progress in rebuilding efforts.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel raised concerns over the misuse of forest land for housing projects, suggesting that if monetary aid had been directly provided to victims or reconstruction prioritized in affected areas, families could have rebuilt their homes independently.
Justice Musarrat Hilali, who had witnessed the aftermath of the disaster firsthand, criticized the government for its unfulfilled promises. She expressed disappointment that despite years of statements and commitments, the victims remained in dire conditions, suffering from a lack of practical solutions.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan highlighted the role of poor governance and lack of coordination among departments in exacerbating delays. He emphasized that effective intergovernmental cooperation could have prevented such cases from reaching the courts. He remarked, “Natural disasters cannot be avoided, but their impact can be mitigated through timely action.”
The court directed the authorities to provide a comprehensive report detailing the number of individuals affected, houses constructed, funds received and spent on rehabilitation, and the performance of both federal and provincial governments in addressing the victims’ plight.
The bench, including Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Aminuddin Khan, underscored the urgency of addressing the long-standing suffering of the victims and warned that accountability would be enforced to ensure justice for those affected.
