Editorial :
The tragic demise of an eight-year-old boy, Almas Khan has shocked and saddened people. The dead body of Almas Khan was retrieved after 15-hours from the well in Balochistan’s Killa Saifullah district. The broken parents and family members of the victim suffered from a dumb agony during the rescue operation.
Despite repeated calls, the rescue team of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reached the spot of the incident after 10 hours. This was unacceptable given the sensitivity of the case, which required an urged response. Human life was lost because of the delayed response of the PDMA.
Abdul Hadi, the broken father of Almas Khan lamented had the PDMA rescue team arrived on time, the life of his son would have been saved. The video of the rescue operation was on air on social media for the whole day. Unfortunately, the mainstream media also gave a cold shoulder to the story.
Neither the Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo nor other concerned quarters took notice of the tragic incident.
Neither the Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo nor other concerned quarters took notice of the tragic incident. This is not the first time that such an incident has taken a place. Thanks to the mushroom growth of social media that highlighted the tragic incident. Otherwise, so many incidents have gone unnoticed in Balochistan.
The portfolio of the PDMA is with the CM Balochistan. The authority needs complete overhauling in terms of equipment, training, and manpower. Bitter fact, the authority is famous for being white-elephant in the time of natural disasters. Look at the irony, officers from the education and health have also been posted in the PDMA.
Balochistan prone to all-natural disasters
Balochistan is prone to natural disasters. The PDMA should go beyond a few trucks and some selected officers rather it should evolve a better mechanism to tackle future emergency situations. Quetta and other parts of Balochistan have already faced earthquakes, floods, and drought-hit-like situations. For this, PDMA should be made an effective authority to make sure timely response in the time of any incident.
To be precise, the heartbreaking incident involving the demise of Almas Khan has exposed the commitment and capacity of the PDMA.
