THE administration … is once again causing people to suffer insult and humiliation in acquiring Pakistan Cards. Thousands of people are called at one time … scores of people faint while others are baton-charged by the police. This spell of humiliation will continue until the people get the card.

The affected people have lost all their belongings in the floods; now they have nothing to lose. The bureaucracy, that is pushing helpless people towards further agonies, is unaware … that at one stage all troubles become unbearable and anger explodes like a bomb. This turns all things into ashes. No crown or kingdom can withstand the rage of the people. Hence those who are pushing people towards further humiliation should be aware that they are … creating more problems for themselves.

Is it mandatory for insults and baton-charge to accompany the provision of bags of flour? If the Pakistan Card is issued one cannot get it without getting hurt. After last year’s super flood, people suffered much agony … the injuries are still there and new ones are being inflicted. The administration should know that physical injuries are curable … but that psychological injuries remain unhealed. …The root cause of the problem is the slow issuance of the Pakistan Card. …Last year for issuance of the Watan Card people were harassed so that they could be compelled to grease the palms of officers. And now the delay in issuing the Pakistan Card is for the same reason….

But this time the administration should be aware of the people’s mood. Last year, affected people got relief as international donors and NGOs performed and the entire nation rose to help the victims. But this time when the losses are much more … the people did not get help. … — (Sept 25)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi