The politicisation of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society

[RescueRanger]

Neutrality is one of the Fundamental Red Cross and Red Crescent Principles and is defined as follows: Neutrality : In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

And the Pakistani chapter of this most noble movement should be no exception, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society or PRCS has provided valuable aid in times of crisis and capacity development training for the human capital of Pakistan.

However since as early as 2015 the society has been a political ping-pong ball between those in power and those who wish to exert image control. Back in 2015 the serving Director General of Rescue 1122 Pakistan took ex-Pakistan leave and resigned from his post as serving Director General, whilst on leave from Pakistan he applied for the vacant post of General Secretary (PRCS) and was successfully appointed without due process or competitive recruitment which was a violation of the code of conduct and government service rules and regulations, under which a government officer cannot enjoy two seats simultaneously under PEEDA Act 2006.

After several leading broadsheets published the scandal he was Naseer was removed from the post at PRCS, however was still able to retain his position as acting Director General, Rescue 1122.

This was just the beginning, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz party, appointed a party member, Dr Elahi as Chairman, PRCS. Again without an open and competitive interview and selection process, with appointment based solely on those oleaginous enough to engage in the power play of fawning sycophants.

During Elahi’s tenure as Chairman, there had been no innovation or progress in disaster risk management, community based disaster preparedness or community first aid. Pakistan is the 7th most vulnerable nation to disasters as a result of climate change.1 Yet the emphasis on community capacity development is still piecemeal at best.

Keeping up with the tradition of the President of Pakistan appointing legislators and leaders of the party in power into the senior most role at the PRCS, in 2019 the President of Pakistan replaced Dr. Elahi with prominent singer and philanthropist Abrarul Haq, who just happens to be a vocal and active member of Prime minister Imran Khan’s political party the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

It is important to mention that, despite suffering a number of disasters with countless loss of life and an estimated financial cost exceeding $7.2 billion USD, Pakistan’s bureaucratic juggernaut and political elite have not woken up to the reality, that the existing disaster management and civil protection infrastructure is woefully inadequate to mitigate the risks from a multitude of hazards.

It is criminal that people unqualified for the role are appointed to have oversight on matters that not only impact the pockets of the exchequer, but also the very lives of the citizens who voted these politicians into the seats of power.

The Pakistani government should allow the PRCS to retain its neutrality by appointing politically neutral candidates recommended by the board, based on experience, competence and educational qualifications.

Until the status quo changes, I fear we will witness another farcical response to disasters such as the earthquake of 2005 and the floods of 2010.

References:
[1] Sustainable Development Policy Institute report: PAKISTAN 7TH MOST VULNERABLE COUNTRY TO CLIMATE CHANGE https://www.sdpi.org/media/media_details2705-press-2017.html