The new satellite images show almost one-third of Pakistan has been turned into a small ocean. With swathes of land under water albeit distressing is not a wonder for her people. For what would a country steeped in debts and inflation, already on her knees, crawling to survive give to her people in an hour of calamity? Be it the deadly cyclones of the 1970s or the disastrous rains in 2010, it is no wonder that living in a country where the only distraction from the usual political fiascos and controversies is a sheer climate crisis.

Even then it cannot be said for sure that the greater majority would deviate from the sizzling political hullabaloo to look into a humanitarian cause. Climate change indeed is a great issue at hand. Weather forecasts suggested that torrid heat waves are expected to arrive early and consecutively leaving us a “year without spring”. This was followed by relentless monsoon rain and consequent torrential floods that claimed the lives of thousands. Yet in our country particularly, it would be unfair to place the blame for this catastrophe on nature alone. It rests on the shoulders of the supposed caretakers of the country.

Pakistan is not only drowning from the apocalyptic floods; rather, the plight of her people has already sunken deep into the oblivion of the privileged elite. As Arifa Noor writes “The rains and their intensity are beyond our control, the havoc they wreak is not”. We see this through and through that this crisis has just heightened the incapability of the government. Countless displays of pieces of evidence can be observed on every other news channel and talk show. While images and videos showing the devastating conditions of 33 million flood the internet, there are still those who wash their feet with mineral water, that too while visiting the affected areas. Even then, we come across blame games and statements that exculpate one from all sorts of responsibility, let alone arouse any form of guilt. From lack of resources, technology, and severe mismanagement to illegal encroachment of land, from lack of adequate education and training for relief and rescue operations to the absence of an integrated risk management plan – there is absolutely no single point where one can start their critique from.

The planning of an appropriate urban environment and the housing needs of the expanding population have both been severely neglected by the higher authorities. In such a scenario, mapping out a plan for the rural areas seems not only a hopeless endeavor but a question in jest. Moreover, it is utterly shameful how our country, despite begging for help, is finding hesitance from the international community due to our notorious status as a country of thieves and swindlers.

Many people and organizations are reluctant to provide funds for the fear of them being stolen with outright impunity instead of reaching those who truly deserve them. This clearly shows that we intend to drive away any and every form of help that may relieve us of our desperate condition with our fraudulent ways. Despite all the grievances and suffering of millions who have become homeless and lost their loved ones and resources, imprudent and condescending gestures shrouded in phrases of sympathy are blatantly thrown in our faces.

No fear of accountability is a great asset to the ruling classes in a state already in a dire situation. And once the flash floods and the images and videos flashing on our screens subside, there will be little to talk about recuperation. With our begging bowl ever more resilient to the jerks of our international friends and little hope from our thieving elites, Pakistan now can only look up to the heavens for help.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 03 2022

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