Relief goods worth billions rotting away in PIA warehouses

KARACHI: Goods worth Rs 3.5 billion, sent to Pakistan by friendly countries for the assistance of the millions of displaced flood survivors, are rotting away in the import section warehouses of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Today has learnt.



"These goods include food and medicines from friendly nations, which wanted to show their goodwill towards Pakistan at its time of need," a source privy to the matter said. "The weather has destroyed much of the goods, and if they continue to remain stored away, whatever is left will eventually be stolen," it added.

The goods were received from countries like Japan, England, China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates almost a month and a half ago. They include a large quantity of mineral water bottles, packed meat, powder milk, medicines, baby food, clothes, tents and sleeping bags.

"The PIA was required to inform the provincial authorities concerned and dispatch these goods as soon as possible, but it has not done that so far because no one cares," the source said. "The goods are being kept in warehouses on special metal-sheets that are supposed to carry cargo to and from the planes. They are not designed to hold heavy weight for a long period and therefore becoming damaged," said the source, adding, "This is causing heavy losses to the national carrier."

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) regretted that such valuable goods, which can help many flood victims, were going to waste. "It is likely that many of the medicines and food items may have expired. They should be dispatched immediately," said PMA Secretary General Dr Sher Shah Syed. PIA spokesman Sultan Hassan Khan said the national carrier has been handling relief goods coming from the United Nations (UN), Red Cross and other international non-governmental organisations and they have been handed over to their representatives in Pakistan.

"Other than the goods provided by these bodies, we have no information about any other goods sent by private parties," he said

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