Will slow response to Pakistan flood threaten democracy?

Muzaffargarh's District Coordination Officer Farasat Iqbal, its chief official, recognizes the government’s limitations and praises the Falah-e-Insaniat foundation, with whom he says his office is “coordinating efforts.”

Though the Army has fixed a number of barriers that protect the city, the town is not yet out of danger from secondary flash floods. “The next 24 hours are a crucial period. There is a danger that our operation base – the main town center – could be gone,” he says.

The private aid efforts are part of the Pakistani Islamist group's long-term strategy to expand their voter base in constituencies ruled by Pakistan's feudal elite, according to Rasule Baksh Raes, a political analyst at the Lahore University for Management Sciences.

“They find such opportunities to establish networks and establish reputations as good people. Religious groups today come from within the people and think more of what the people need than the traditional dynastic or feudal families, whom you hear (are) looting the country and moving out,” he says.

The perceived failure of public officials ultimately weakens Pakistan's civilian institutions, especially when contrasted with the high-profile efforts of the Army, says Dr. Raes.

“The Army isn’t acting with some political objective in mind. But if you look at the character and level of integrity of the political class it seems they don’t belong to Pakistan,” he says, adding that through their perceived corruption and negligence, politicians are cutting away at the future of democracy here.

Democracy isn't in danger

At a foreign office briefing on Friday, however, spokesman Abdul Basit rebutted these types of arguments.

“The claims made by American newspapers are baseless…democracy in Pakistan is not endangered by the floods…democracy and the government are getting stronger and soon the flood challenge will be under control,” he said.

Still, concerns also remain over whether the Pakistani Taliban will attempt to use the situation to their advantage. Last week the Taliban claimed credit for the killing of Siftwar Ghayur, the Chief of Pakistan's Frontier constabulary, which has been involved in frontline operations against the Taliban.

The United States has pledged $71 million in emergency assistance to the Pakistan, and Thursday a shipload of Marines and US helicopters arrived to help, amid more calls from the Pakistan government for assistance.

Also on Friday, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq denounced foreign aid, "We condemn American and other foreign aid and believe that it will lead to subjugation," he told AFP.

"The government should not accept American aid and, if it happens, we can give $20 million to them as aid for the flood victims," he continued offering to distribute relief, instead of the US in exchange for a promise not to be arrested.

On Wednesday, United Nations humanitarian chief John Holmes launched an appeal for $459 million to provide immediate help to millions of flood victims. The disaster has claimed some 1,600 lives and affected up to 14 million people.

Though rescue efforts are still underway, Badar Alam, editor of Pakistan's Herald magazine, says that as the rain eases up nationwide in the coming days, attention will shift to economic rehabilitation.

"People have lost their livelihoods for the next year or two unless they get aid to rebuild their farms and businesses. The rescue will soon be over but we now need a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation and relief," he says.

Just who will provide that plan remains to be seen.

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