ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court issued contempt of court notice to Blochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani on Monday for his failure to follow IHC directions regarding relief provision to 2008 earthquake victims of Balochistan.
IHC Chief Justice Iqbal HameedurRehman observed that court orders were not followed in a petition, seeking compensation, and also issued notices to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) director general and the Blochistan chief secretary.
On March 14, 2012, the IHC chief justice directed the federal government to conduct a survey to assess the loss of the people during the earthquake. When the court resumed hearing of the case on Monday, it found that its orders were not followed and no survey was conducted.
Upon this, the court issued contempt of court notices to relevant authorities, including the Blochistan chief minister and adjourned the hearing. A petitioner, Syed Saifur Rehman,filed a petition in the IHC, maintaining that authorities concerned had deprived him and his fellow villagers of the financial aid announced for the affected families in the province. The petitioner alleged that 187 affected families of Khanozaivillage in Pishin district were not compensated even after years.
The petitioner informed the court that following the earthquake,restitution money was dispersed among the people of Balochistan but victims of Khanozai village were not compensated by the authorities.