IN A competitive world, where nations are vying to leave each other behind in development, growth and progress, sometimes even aiding others in distress becomes a victim of the competition. Pakistan is facing disaster and mayhem from the worst natural calamity in the six and a quarter decades of its history. The deluge has hit the people of Pakistan unawares. The worst ever torrential rains, combined with unprecedented flooding, which has been aggravated by India’s release of excess waters, without prior warning, has caused a massive catastrophe, displacing over 17.5 million people, taking over 1600 lives but threatening to raise the toll much higher due to disease, malnutrition and exposure to the elements due to loss of shelter. The international community has been a little late in responding to Pakistan’s crisis. The reason is that the enormity of the calamity, which has been of biblical proportions sunk in late. However, once the magnitude of the crisis was brought to the notice of the world, and the UN Secretary General himself visited the flood-struck region, aid began to come in. US initially took the lead in sending its aid efforts, followed by the UK and China. However, The Daily Mail finds it abhorrent that some western sources started listing countries by the amount of aid pledged as if there was a competition going on. What was worse that US officials led by their special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Mr. Richard Holbrooke, have been taunting other countries for not doing enough. Mr. Holbrooke’s special target has been China. His grouse is that despite the US providing material and monetary help to Pakistan, majority of the Pakistanis do not like the US but they prefer China as a friend. Mr. Holbrooke, in a rather undiplomatic manner, even taunted, “where is Pakistan’s all weather friend?”
Such mockery of Pakistan’s true friends is totally uncalled for since China has been there for Pakistan at every juncture of its moments of trials and tribulation, whereas the US has aided Pakistan only when it needed Pakistan but spurned it when there was no need for it, rather it went to the extent of imposing curbs, embargos and sanctions on its ally. Chinese support has never been without strings. Even in the case of the recent floods, China itself is a victim of one of the worst floods and mudslides, which have taken a toll of 1500 lives and affected over 10,000 persons, yet it has bent backwards to help its neighbour Pakistan in distress. Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan has expressed appreciation for China’s timely aid to his country’s flood-hit areas, and rejected criticism against Beijing’s contribution to help victims. “China was one of the first countries to respond to our relief needs when the worst floods in 81 years came. China moved with speed,” the China daily quoted, him as saying. “It is not fair for any country or person to make oblique references to China’s relief assistance to Pakistan or to urge it to do more,” he added.Chinese aid has risen to over US$ 20 million, while its aid mainly includes tents, water purification plants and others that the Pakistani people urgently need at the moment. Additionally, a 55-member China International Search and Rescue Team (Medical Team) has arrived in Islamabad on August 26, 2010. The team, which includes 36 doctors and 19 technical support personnel, also brings 25 tonnes of high-tech medical equipments and medicine worth RMB 8 million. The team has been immediately transferred to Thatta in Sindh province to help the local people to fight against water-borne and other diseases. It may be noted that the team comprises 35 female doctors, to attend to the special needs of the women affected by the floods. The Daily Mail advises the US that it should do its own flood relief and avoid criticizing China or try and drive a wedge between the two close friends of it will prove counterproductive and breed more animosity towards the US.
