The underlying negative attitude to make a fortune out of a disaster at times takes one of the ugliest forms in society. Some unscrupulous elements continue hankering after their lust for more wealth without giving any importance to human suffering in their surroundings. Their avarice to accumulate more and more resources knows no bounds and even leads them to commit the most abominable crimes against humanity. Though hoarding in itself is a big crime not to speak of withholding relief items donated by other countries to meet the essential needs of flood victims. Unfortunately, this has happened in Pakistan and the perpetrators of the crime are non-other than influential persons, who belong to a mainstream political party. Reportedly, the district and sessions judge of Qambar-Shandadkot Zahid Hussain Maitlo along with judicial magistrate Imran Gad raided a rice mill in Naseeeabad Town on public complaints and recovered over one thousand tents and other relief goods donated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government for the flood-affected people of the district. Mill owner Sadha Ram and PPP leader and councillor-elect Wazir Ali Phulpoto were the main accused in the crime. This speaks volumes about the moral standards of local politicians. Pakistan has never faced such a magnitude of social crimes since its creation as we face today. We are in deep slumber and have become insensitive, selfish and careless almost in every walk of life. We have intentionally closed our eyes to all issues whether relating to our own life or the state in general. The palpable conditions of flood victims demand generous donations by the haves to scale down
the level of misery. But selfish elements are not ready to set aside their greed and are busy looting even the most vulnerable in society. Have we ever thought about what role we are playing to make our beloved country an invincible state in the comity of nations? Rather, we have shut our eyes to nepotism, hoarding, black marketing and corruption. We are busy making undue profits by stashing necessary items and then selling them at exorbitant rates. The concerned authorities need to award exemplary punishment to these nasty people who are playing with the people’s lives. A drive must be launched against
those who are involved in such social crimes and must be deterred and publicly punished.
