Reinforcing success

The President's first appeal went out on October 8 night, put together on war-footing. Making personal telephone calls to many heads of state and government, Pervez Musharraf was extremely effective. One must commend the finesse and sophistication of the corporate boardroom in putting the package together, the fine executive touch of (former Citibanker) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. It was certainly a stroke of genius that "damage assessment" was carried out in coordination with various international agencies such as the UN, ADB, EU, etc, giving the report due credibility. Visits by various foreign dignitaries to the affected areas helped stoke the conscience of the richer countries and donor agencies. Because the earthquake caught the intense attention of the world media for a very short duration unlike tsunami, individual donations were far less. Some cynics decry our rulers holding out a "begging bowl," they are advised to take a trip to see those affected. Holding out a "begging bowl" may not be the done thing for egos and self-respect, can affectees live on a diet of ego and self-respect? Will that give them shelter and a means of income? The rulers have a moral responsibility to use every means to bring succour for the wretched and the suffering.

The extent of the tragedy galvanised the nation, the people of Pakistan displayed a tremendous spirit of togetherness. For a change in Pakistan's political culture, the President and PM worked effectively together as a team, the body language of unity of command and purpose on the podium at the conference made for very positive media and world perception. International charities and NGOs outdid themselves in performing above and beyond the call of conscience. Nearly 400 foreign medical staff were in the affected area within a week, augmenting the mostly volunteers 400 Pakistani doctors (not counting the 100 from Army Medical Corps), doctors coming all the way from Cuba and California. Medical relief and sustenance thereof notwithstanding the doctors were a databank of information, giving in graphic detail the full magnitude of the disaster to their parent organizations and governments. Our own media did a great job bringing the tragedy home to all Pakistanis, at home and abroad. The response was nothing short of magnificent. Very much visible in streets and towns in Pakistan, that of expatriate Pakistanis in many countries may not have been on display but it was outstanding. In the absence of world media attention, this impressive display of togetherness helped foreign dignitaries, diplomats, NGOs, etc to make up their minds about supporting and sustaining Pakistan's efforts for long term rehabilitation of the affected.

Now comes the hard part, spending the money pledged in a cost-effective manner. Accumulating data professionally, the government of Pakistan (GOP) worked out short, medium and long-term strategies. Very much in line with the "Damage Assessment," GOP should carry along with them the international agencies, particularly the UN, World Bank, EU, ADP, etc in finalising a comprehensive document that will cover all aspects of rehabilitation and the demands of the future for the living, prime among them a reasonable and assured means of income. GOP would do well not to rush into implementation without expert review of the plans made. The money donated (or loaned) is a responsibility that GOP must manage in good faith, spent judiciously wholly and solely for the purpose meant. The best laid plans of men and mice can go astray if not implemented, correctly, with honesty and dedication. A whole lot of carpetbaggers and charlatans, operating upon the theory about "a fool and his money being easily parted" have lined up to sell dubious products and services. Take one look at the advertisements appearing in the media, put in by companies one has never heard of, selling things one has never heard of.

Morality and integrity is easily subverted by the colour of easy money, and $5.8 billion is a huge cake. Even for immediate relief goods the army had to put in stringent monitoring measure to prevent looting and pilferage. The individuals selected from the hierarchy ranks down the line to the file to implement rehabilitation should be individuals of great integrity, commitment, flexibility and patience, above all they should be without ego, rigidity and/or arrogance. Public airing of doubt at such occasions is rather rude and undiplomatic but many of the donors talked openly of the need for "transparency." In doing so they clearly indicated their apprehensions that those appointed to lead the relief and rehabilitation effort may not be effective, and if not dishonest themselves, not capable of controlling fraud and corruption. The public in Pakistan, including very senior serving and retired officials, have indicated their lack of confidence in the persons chosen.

Let me put it bluntly, FRC's Farooq cuts a dashing figure in camouflage uniform and boots among gushing socialites for whom he has plenty of time, his rigidity is well known in the army, and I have unfortunately experienced it personally. The earthquake affected are lucky that whatever relief has reached them has been because of the logistical capability of the army, mostly in spite of him. As regards Zubair (ERRA), there are mixed reports about his reputation. Rightly or wrongly, there is a perception that cannot be corrected overnight, should we give him the benefit of doubt and perhaps risk the credibility of the whole process? Let's rather give the benefit of doubt to the people of Pakistan. There is no shame of firing the ineffective and/or the corrupt. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, President Bush was forced to sack one of his close associates (and friend), the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), because of criticism of his performance, and lack of credentials for the job.

As a frequent critic of the government, it is a privilege to congratulate them for a job well done, at least uptil now. The hard part was to collect the money, the easy part is to lose reputation and credibility by wrong selection of personnel. What is important is the public perception about transparency, wrong selection will reinforce the public perception about corruption. Pakistan's rulers should not risk their reputation, and by extension the whole process. God forbid there is another disaster, no one will be that generous with us again. That will be like reinforcing failure. One of the principles of war, and the rehabilitation effort is war by other means, is "never to reinforce failure." When the President took an unpopular decision in September 2001 at a crucial time for the country in solely the country's interest, he was proven correct. However unpalatable it may be the President must rise above everything to ensure right selections, again wholly and solely in the country's interest.

Ikram Sehgal, a former Major of Pakistan Army, is a political analyst and columnist.