Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, has said that the havoc caused by raging flood and monsoon downpour could have been minimized had the state equipped itself with state of the art rapid response mechanism. But alas, the ruling elite whether in government or opposition, seems to have different priorities. He said that in the wake of devastating earthquake in October 2008, our government should have focused on acquiring modern gadgets and training rescue personnel to help people in case natural tragedies struck in future. “Our political parties and governments are more interested in finding ways and means to perpetuate themselves in power. They give a damn to what happens to people. People need to get up from their slumber and act fast on their own without waiting for governments to come to their rescue,” he said.

Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi said this while chairing an emergency meeting of Minhaj Welfare Foundation UK in connection with the fund raising for the flood affected people. He said that a country, which prided itself on being the seventh nuclear power of the world, did not have equipment to cut stones and trees as was evident during the search operations following the unfortunate air crash of Air Blue plane on the Margalla Hills. He said that our rulers are content with making press statements over a given issue and think that their duty is done. He demanded of the parliament to discuss the aftermath of flood and hold both federal and provincial governments accountable for their lack of proper action.