Spring on New Homes in The Desert

 

Flood-damaged settlements in Balochistan are being rebuilt with the support of well-wishers

Desert desert, security concerns, long convoy of vehicles, AC Salem custom uniformed leading all. Police and elite vehicles, armed customs troops, young customs soldiers, armed customs officers, Balochistan government's flag-carrying vehicle were moving towards the desert. When a servant goes out for the work of Allah, Allah honors him, gives him respect, his companions forbade him to go to the desert. Yemeni had repeatedly said, Baba Dasht should not go. It was necessary to go to the desert to see the fulfillment of a dream.

A year ago, I visited Barbad Basti, a wasteland of the desert, located at a distance of one hour from Quetta. Water was everywhere. The surroundings of the desert were presenting a view of the sea. Water was water as far as the eye could see. Taseef Qureshi and Dr. Attaur Rehman were telling that there were settlements here. People had houses. All were swept into the water. The settlements were submerged. Was ruined. People were displaced from their homes. Many people were swept away in the water.

Settlements are settlements

Years ago, the survivors were in tears. Ration and relief goods were distributed among them. Happiness was shared. What was the cure for their pain? He had promised to settle them at home. It was decided from Abdul Majeed of Al-Khidmat that the plain area would rebuild the village of Kalundrani. Will build a house here. A mosque will be built for them. The series of medical camps and distribution of relief in the flood-affected areas continued for months under the leadership of Toseef Ahmed Qureshi Regional Office Quetta, Advisor FTO. Dasht sounded as soon as he came from Quetta. Dr. Junaid Asghar, a longtime friend, class fellow, spoke to Dr. Ayesha Zafar, Sajid Chaudhry of APPNA in America. A deal was made with them. Meanwhile, Fatima Jinnah Medical College Almanai took the responsibility of building Basti Kashani in Punjab. Apna started providing funds for building houses not only in Balochistan but across the country. Talked to Abdul Majeed, Provincial President of Al-Khidmat. An agreement was reached with Abdul Majeed to build a house through Dr. Attaur Rahman. They promised to build a house with us in the desert. The deal was done. 

Disbursement of funds started. As soon as the water receded in the desert region, Abdul Majeed started work. There are security concerns in the Dasht area, which is an hour away from Quetta, but taking the goods there, managing water. It was the job of the Jhokho. From the mountains of the desert, there were always reports of some kind of skirmish. Abdul Majeed assembled his team. Started building a house. As funds became available, houses began to be built. Abdul Majeed first listed the most deserving families. Started work. Gradually, the deserted settlements started to be inhabited. Houses began to be built and completed. Today we are in the desert to see these houses. There is a festival in Kalundrani. Our convoy arrived in the escort of security vehicles. The residents of Kali Kalundrani welcomed them by clapping their hands and singing songs in Balochi. Abdul Majeed was making gift packs. Children are the first to gather wherever they go for relief. They make noise. They are happy with things. Children's happiness is palpable.

After that visited the houses. The heart was happy to see the inhabited houses. Each house consists of a spacious living room, kitchen and bathroom, in which six or seven members of the family are living happily. Saw a deserted settlement in this area. The heart was happy to see Abad Basti today.

Construction of houses

The families living in the houses were asked whether they are happy in the new houses. He said that we are very happy. We are grateful to "our" Pakistani doctors living in North America and the Alliance Organization of America, and most grateful to the Custom Healthcare Society, for making us our home. The desert is the longest, widest and most rugged desert. In the distance, empty land is visible. In front, there are high, long, slanting mountains of mud and stone, from which every breath is taken. Apart from Basti Kalundrani and Basti Gondin, no cook house was seen as far as the eye could see. Abdul Majeed, who has worked in the area for a year, said that far out in the desert, you could see flood victims still living in torn tents or under the open sky. Asked people if they got help from any side to build a house. He replied no.

The flood victims are still homeless in the plains and nearby flood affected areas. Coming to Kalundrani and seeing the people laughing in the inhabited houses, the heart was very satisfied. After seeing the houses, saw the mosque built by "Apana" named after Ama Ayesha Siddiqa. Had a meeting with Imam Sahib. He recited the Holy Quran in the tune of David. Faith was renewed after hearing the recitation. Next to Kali Kalundrani went to Kali Govindin.

Most of the houses in Kali Kalundrani were donated by 'Apana'. It was a joy to see people living in their homes with a smile. May Allah bless these people and protect them from further calamities. Apart from the houses, the beautiful Masjid Bab Al-Ayman has been built by the Alliance Organization of America in Kaligundin. In the mosque, two girls, who are also memorizers of the Qur'an, tied the knot by reciting it in a solemn tone. One child gave a speech on the Prophet's life. Children were given cash prizes. Ashfaq had sent medicine from Lahore to Kali Gondin. A medical camp was organized here. Al-Khidmat doctors were looking after the patients. It is not possible if there is a camp and the patients are not checked up. Sitting in the place of Al-Khidmat's doctor, he checked up the residents of the desert. A little bit of the language was understood. At once he became engrossed in the patients.

Abdul Quddus Shaheed Friday Prayer at Check Post 

Almas and Shahid were asking to hurry, but my heart wanted to stay here. The convoy from Kali Gondin reached the Dr. Abdul Qadoos Shaheed Customs Check Post in Kohalpur, where the Chief Collector of Balochistan Customs and senior officers of Customs welcomed him. Muhammad Salim Malik is a stylish, hospitable and high-class customs officer. They are also understanding and know how to respect seniors. Salim Sahib AC, who is supervising all the operations, laid the ranks. They were so engrossed in traveling since morning and seeing their settlements in the flooded areas as soon as they arrived that they did not remember that today is Friday. Salim Sahib reminded and told that don't worry, he will go and offer Friday prayers. The ranks were split. Salim Sahib removed the Friday sermon from the net. At the same time, he gave the stick that for the first time in his life, he read the first and second Friday sermon. He led the Friday prayer. He thanked Allah who gave him the strength and courage to come to the desert and settle the barren settlements.

Memories of Abdul Quddus Shaheed 

Despite security concerns in Balochistan, customs officials are working here and are busy trying to curb smuggling. During these efforts, the brave and virtuous officer of the customs, Deputy Collector of Customs, Dr. Abdul Qadoos Shaheed, gave his life. To keep his name and work alive, the Jaan Nisar Sepoys of Customs are busy and it has been named as Dr. Abdul Qadoos Shaheed Check Post. Before returning, prayed for forgiveness for Abdul Quddus Shaheed. Arrived at Serena Hotel around five o'clock. Asr prayer was offered in congregation in the mosque. Rested for a while. Shahid said that other ombudsmen have come. The conference is scheduled to begin at six o'clock.

Balochistan Ombudsman Nazar Baloch is our host. Lively and big hearted. New Booking Ombudsman Mr. Sirajuddin Aziz is also present. Dr. Jamal Yusuf has come for the conference on behalf of the Punjab Ombudsman. Representatives of ombudsmen from all over the country have come. The conference started on time. Along with FTA, Allah Ta'ala also honored him by making him the president of FPOA, the forum of ombudsmen in Pakistan, and also made him the general secretary of OICOA, the organization of ombudsmen of Islamic countries.

Initiation of conference under Pakistan Ombudsman Forum 

The conference started with recitation of Holy Quran. The chairman's speech told about the purpose and goal of the FPO meeting and the previous agenda, and emphasized the need for mutual cooperation among the ombudsmen. There is a need to inform the public about the various ombudsmen so that more and more people can contact the ombudsman institutions and take advantage of them and get their problems resolved. All the ombudsmen and their representatives presented their point of view. The conference continued till 9 pm. 

Dr. Atta Rahman of Al-Khidmat also came. His younger brother Dr. Umar Farooq also came with him. Umar Farooq is a class fellow of KE. During the days of KE, I would meet him daily in the classes less but always in the mosque. Meeting with Umar Farooq brought back memories of youth days.

Had breakfast early in the morning and started preparing for the next day. All federal and provincial ombudsmen in Pakistan are involved in the conference. Federal ombudsman of baking, insurance ombudsman representative of federal ombudsman Sarwar Brohi, Punjab ombudsman Dr. Jamal Yusuf, Azad Jammu and Kashmir ombudsman Chaudhry Naseem, Sindh ombudsman Meher Sahib are participating in the conference. Our like-minded host with Balochi traditions, Nazar Baloch Maranjan, is a Mars human being. They talk well. They know the art of warming up the party.

Ombudsman Conference at Governor House Balochistan

Today was to be held at the Governor's House. At ten o'clock in the morning, the convoy of all the ombudsmen reached the Governor's House. Governor House of Balochistan is a historical building. Today we were the guest of Governor Balochistan here. Almas Jovanda is not only the legal advisor of FTO, he also holds many other responsibilities. He had been preparing for this conference with Nazar Baloch for many days. All the officers and staff of Nazar Baloch's office were present in the conference. The conference started at the appointed time. After the recitation of the Holy Quran, Almas Jawonda told about the agenda of the conference. Rakim delivered the welcome speech and said that the main objective of this conference under Pakistan Ombudsman Forum is to create collaboration between federal and provincial ombudsmen across Pakistan, so that the public is aware of their work and their performance. So far, the public is not provided with correct information about the ombudsmen. Ombudsman institutions are providing cheap, quick and speedy justice to people. The concerned institutions are asked to take timely action after hearing the hunger issues. The recommendations of the ombudsmen are followed and the grievances of the people are redressed promptly.

In the first part of the conference, the federal ombudsmen, including the federal tax ombudsman, described the performance of their respective organizations and told about their performance in the year 2022. Rakim emphasized in his speech that timely information about the ombudsman institutions is not yet available to the public. They don't even know anything about the working of ombudsmen. For this reason, most people in Pakistan do not contact the ombudsman. There is a need to create awareness among the public about the forum of FPO. All the ombudsmen agreed and told that they should create awareness about their institutions through awareness seminars, public meetings, media so that more people can benefit from them.

Address of Governor Balochistan

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Governor Balochistan Abdul Wali Khan came to Kakar. In his address, the governor appreciated the performance of the ombudsmen. He particularly mentioned the work of Balochistan Ombudsman Nazar Baloch and praised his work. He said that when appeals come to him against the decisions of the Balochistan Ombudsman, he hears the appeal and gives a decision. In more than 90 percent of cases, they uphold the Ombudsman's decisions. Mentioning the cases of harassment against women in particular, he said that harassment has not been properly defined and interpreted. In most women's harassment cases against men, false allegations are made. Anti-harassment ombudsmen at the federal and provincial levels were not included in the conference, otherwise they should present their position in this regard.

The governor sat and ate with us. Governor's ADC Colonel Tanveer was a big fan of our social work and books. He said that I keep reading your articles in Urdu Digest. After dinner and noon prayer, there was a seminar on the performance of provincial ombudsmen, in which all the provincial ombudsmen present in the conference and their representatives spoke about their respective institutions. told. The seminar continued till five o'clock. Came to Serena Hotel and rested for a while. Asr and Maghrib prayers were offered in congregation in the mosque of the hotel.

Apna's home and medical camp in Kuchlak

Left for Kuchlak at 11 am. In Kuchlak, we built thirty houses through Abdul Majeed with the support of Apna. The area of ​​Kuchlak, located about an hour away from Quetta, was heavily affected by floods last year. The mud houses were washed away. Hundreds of families were displaced. Abdul Majeed's team conducted a survey in Kuchlak and prepared a list of thirty families, with priority given to the poorest, widows and the disabled. The first house was given to an old mother whose son had died and she was living with her orphaned children. Gifts and cash were distributed among the children. Salim Khokhar also took part here. He brought gifts and food for the children. The children were confused. Everyone started saying to him: Mama Toffee Warka. They gathered around him. Today, I remembered Aslam Marwat, he used to do the same thing. Today it was very hot along with hubris. Salim Khokhar made me wear a custom hat. Visited ten to fifteen houses. All the houses were built in a great way. Somewhere, large rooms were built.

 After leaving their homes, they came to Qaim-ul-Khidmat school in Kuchlak area. The school administration welcomed. A medical camp was organized here by us. Lady doctors and male doctors of Al-Khidmat were present in the camp. Ashfaq had sent a large quantity of medicines from Lahore. There were hundreds of children, women and men in the school. He started the camp as soon as he left. The medical camp continued till evening. More than 500 patients were checked up and treated.

Return journey

Shahid Nawaz ordered rice for the children. The number of children was so large that they were divided in five minutes. Finished at around 5 pm and headed to Quetta Food Restaurant, where carpets were laid. He rested for a while until the food arrived. The restaurateurs served cold and salty lassi, which was very enjoyable to drink.

During the meal, Dr. Atta-ul-Rehman, Dr. Umar Farooq and Sadiq Sanjrani's uncle Sanjrani Sahib also came. Chairman Senate's uncle, his colleagues and Dr. Attaur Rahman have already recognized our work. He said that he wanted to meet us for many years. He had read many articles in Urdu Digest about our social services and social work. Left for Quetta Airport at 6 pm. Had a farewell meeting and photo shoot with Salim Khokhar and the sharp-shooting customs team. Inspector Bilawal, PRO of Salim Khokhar, welcomed us in the VIP lounge of the airport. Boarded the ship at seven o'clock. Thanked Allah that the trip to Quetta was very good. It was heartening to see the deserted settlements inhabited and the heart was satisfied to see their residents happy. Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area, but poverty and underdevelopment are high here. People do not have access to even the basic facilities of life. A lot still needs to be done to bring the Balochis into the mainstream.