Aid will not fall into extremists’ hands: Malik
ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP)- Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Wednesday assured the international donors that aid for flood victims would not fall into extremists’ hands. He gave this assurance after the UN said it had received less than half of the dollar 460 million required for the relief effort. The shortfall has been blamed on fears over alleged corruption and the Taliban. Talking to an international news channel, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the government would not let Taliban derive any benefit from donations.
“I assure the entire international community who would be supplying aid in any form, we give them assurance we will be auditable, he said, adding that the government was considering hiring international auditors to oversee the use of funds.
“This aid belongs to poor people, the flood victims. I assure that it will be provided to them.”
Malik admitted he was aware of the danger of the militants bidding to spread their influence during this crisis by providing aid in the devastated areas and thus striving to obtain the support of the victims.
This would not be allowed to happen and said this was feared by some elements without any reason.