General Situation

An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale (Dawn 9 Oct. 2005b), having an epicentre in the northeast district of Muzaffarabad (MapAction 15 Oct. 2005) and affecting an area of over 21,000 square kilometres (Pakistan 1 Nov. 2005) in Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) and Azad Kashmir Province (The Nation 28 Oct. 2005), struck Pakistan on 8 October 2005 at 8:50 a.m. local time (Dawn 9 Oct. 2005b). By 1 November 2005, there were approximately 58,000 casualties, 79,000 injured and over 3 million homeless; as well, thousands of survivors remained in isolated mountainous areas (UN 30 Oct. 2005; ibid.1 Nov. 2005; Pakistan 1 Nov. 2005).

Neelum and Jehlum Valleys were the most affected areas (ibid.), while the populations most affected were those in Muzaffarabad District, Bala Kot District, Athmuqam District, Hattian District, Dhir Kot District, Bagh District, Haveli District and Abbaspur District (ibid.; Mapaction 15 Oct. 2005; UN 27 Oct. 2005). Lesser-affected areas include Alpuri District, Chakisar District, Puran District, Martoong District, Bisham District, Allai District, Batagram District, Mansehra District, Abbottabad District, Fr. Kala Dhaka District, Hajira District, Rawalkot District, and Oghi District (ibid. 1 Nov. 2005; MapAction 15 Oct. 2005). Affected villages that are named in reports include Gharri Dupotta, Therian, Panjkot and Sarian (UN 27 Oct. 2005).

Relocation of Survivors

Some earthquake survivors were planning to migrate to larger cities to find work, while others settled in tented camps around their homes (UN 27 Oct. 2005). One news article stated that approximately 10,000 earthquake survivors from affected areas had moved to Islamabad (The Nation 28 Oct. 2005). Others descended from the hills in Jehlum Valley and Neelum Valley to Muzaffarabad (UN 3 Nov. 2005; ibid. 1 Nov. 2005)

The United Nations (UN) estimated that approximately 100,000 people may move into lower areas and major towns of Mansehra district from northern valleys as conditions there deteriorate (ibid.; ibid. 30 Oct. 2005). Concerned that many people in the Allai Valley would need to relocate due to a lack of shelter, on 1 November 2005, the government authorities were planning to establish a camp at Meira to accommodate 40,000 people (ibid. 1 Nov. 2005).

Police

Damage to police departments in NWFP was estimated at 1.1 billion rupees (CAN$21.2 million [Bank of Canada 9 Nov. 2005]) (PPI 26 Oct. 2005), and with police officers in affected areas suffering as everyone else (AP Pakistan 25 Oct. 2005; Reuters News 22 Oct. 2005), the police force was "virtually paralyzed" following the earthquake (AP Pakistan 25 Oct. 2005). By 25 October 2005 in the affected valley areas of Azad Kashmir, 99 per cent of police wireless communications systems were in working order; ninety per cent of police officers had returned to work; and law and order was in "full control" (AP Pakistan 25 Oct. 2005).

In mid to late October, the government dispatched mobile police stations and police officers from elsewhere in the country (Reuters News 22 Oct. 2005; PPI 18 Oct. 2005), including Islamabad (ibid. 17 Oct. 2005; Pakistan Newswire 1 Nov. 2005) and Punjab (ibid.), to Azad Kashmir (PPI 18 Oct. 2005; ibid. 17 Oct. 2005; The Nation 22 Oct. 2005; Pakistan Newswire 1 Nov. 2005) and camps in and around the Islamabad area (PPI 3 Nov. 2005a) to patrol roads still intact (Reuters News 22 Oct. 2005), maintain law and order (PPI 17 Oct. 2005; The Nation 22 Oct. 2005) and re-establish police stations demolished in the quake (PPI 18 Oct. 2005).

Since the earthquake, police activities have included safeguarding relief camps (ibid. 3 Nov. 2005a), protecting public property in NWFP (ibid. 2 Nov. 2005), guarding, with the help of a private security agency, children residing in the Pakistani Institute of Medical Sciences (Reuters News 24 Oct. 2005), protecting people from fraudulent scams (Newsquest Media Group Newspapers 21 Oct. 2005; The News 30 Oct. 2005), prevent recruitment of militants in affected areas (Hindustan Times 29 Oct. 2005) and demolishing relief camps built by militant organizations (ibid. 21 Oct. 2005). In the course of these activities, police have arrested more than 350 people for stealing aid or attempting to receive aid more than once (AP 25 Oct. 2005), unspecified militants belonging to an "outlawed religious" group in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (The Press Trust of India 19 Oct. 2005) and members of the Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group collecting funds apparently for militant activities, but under the guise of relief efforts (Gulf News 30 Oct. 2005; AP 29 Oct. 2005).

The crossing between Pakistani and Indian-controlled areas of Kashmir was opened to let aid through, but Pakistanis trying to pass the Line of Control were driven back by Pakistani police firing tear gas (The Times 8 Nov. 2005; AP 7 Nov. 2005; Reuters 7 Nov. 2005; AFP 7 Nov. 2005). A UN report commented that "[s]everely depleted human resources pose huge challenges for mobilization of government support "in protection activities" (UN 30 Oct. 2005).

Media reports suggest that police units in areas of Pakistan unaffected by the earthquake were operational in the month after the earthquake and some examples of their activities during this time include making regular arrests (Frontier Star 27 Oct. 2005; CP 28 Oct. 2005; AP 29 Oct. 2005) and monitoring public areas during the final days of the Muslim Ramadan holiday in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Multan (Business Recorder 28 Oct. 2005; PPI 1 Nov. 2005; ibid. 3 Nov. 2005b). Another article reported that in Karachi, students staged a demonstration against police, alleging that the police tortured them with the aim of extortion while they were collecting relief funds for victims of the earthquake (Dawn 2 Nov. 2005a). Also in Karachi, the Sindh Home Department announced the establishment of a police team to arrest those attempting to leave the province after committing "street crimes" in Karachi, however the details of this team and its work were unspecified (ibid. 9 Oct. 2005a).

Judiciary

In October 2005, the Supreme Court of Pakistan decided 2,156 cases and registered 720 new cases (Dawn 2 Nov. 2005c). In Islamabad, the court decided 497 cases and registered 320 cases; in Peshawar, 239 cases were decided and 59 were registered; and in Karachi, an anti-terrorism court was functional (ibid.; PPI 31 Oct. 2005). Despite being directly affected by the earthquake, the Abbottabad District Court House began a murder trial "outside in a compound surrounded by rubble" (Reuters News 29 Oct. 2005).

Hospitals

By 1 November 2005, an estimated seventy per cent of health infrastructure had been destroyed in affected areas (UN 1 Nov. 2005). According to the UN, out of 564 health facilities, 291 were destroyed and 74 were damaged (ibid.). Another report stated that 800 hospitals had been destroyed, but the exact locations were not mentioned (PPI 16 Oct. 2005). In NWFP, the earthquake affected 275 health centres; as well, hospitals in Battagram and Mansehra were completely destroyed (ibid. 26 Oct. 2005).

By the end of October 2005, health service delivery in Mansehra town, Abbottabad, Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Abbas had improved (The Nation 22 Oct. 2005a; UN 27 Oct. 2005), and some earthquake survivors were receiving treatment in hospitals of Muzaffarabad, Mansehra (The Nation 22 Oct. 2005a), Karachi (Dawn 18 Oct. 2005a), Islamabad and Rawalpindi (The Nation 22 Oct. 2005a). Primary health facilities were also established at Hazara University and Jabba farm sites (UN 1 Nov. 2005). The main challenge by 27 October 2005 in Mansehra District, according to the UN, was the provision of emergency health services to Allai and Oghi districts (ibid. 27 Oct. 2005). Local health services staff was largely unavailable and as a result, international aid workers provided health care in earthquake-affected areas (ibid.).

Schools

The UN estimates that 10,000 school buildings and 960,000 schoolchildren have been affected by the earthquake (UN 1 Nov. 2005), while the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC reports that 8,000 schools were destroyed (Pakistan 1 Nov. 2005). By 30 October 2005, education was still "interrupted" in four affected districts as most schools were "severely damaged" (UN 30 Oct. 2005). However, by the end of October 2005, some tent schools had been opened, some private schools had reopened, and the Directorate of Education had worked with international aid agencies to establish temporary primary schools in nine camps and ten villages where schools had been destroyed (ibid.). At the end of October, the Directorate of Education was also planning to set up an office in a university stadium, in which earthquake survivors were being housed, to coordinate the reopening of schools (ibid.).

In NWFP, the earthquake affected 6,704 school buildings, destroying some; damage to universities was also significant (PPI 26 Oct. 2005). In Islamabad by 27 October 2005, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that more than ninety per cent of schools had been completely destroyed (UN 27 Oct. 2005). In Mansehra district, two school tents were set up and three schools were opened by 30 October 2005 (UN 30 Oct. 2005; ibid. 27 Oct. 2005). In Bagh, a tent high school was opened in Chitra Topi with 30 students and the Sanghar Primary School "was expected to re-open on 24 October 2005" (ibid.). In Muzaffarabad the government had reopened educational institutions by 1 November 2005, but neither names nor locations of these schools were specified (ibid. 1 Nov. 2005). The NWFP government offered to cover expenses of students from the most affected areas who were being accepted into educational institutions in other provinces, so that their academic year would not be lost (PPI 26 Oct. 2005). Other reports stated that all displaced students of Azad Kashmir and adjoining areas affected by the earthquake were accommodated free of charge in educational institutions in the Islamabad Capital Territory (Pakistan Newswire 1 Nov. 2005a).

Communication Systems

A news article reported that Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTC) telephone and cellular telephone networks were inaccessible immediately after the earthquake in Karachi since many people were attempting to phone their relatives, therefore jamming circuits, while some phone cables had been damaged during construction work (Dawn 9 Oct. 2005b). However, according to a PTC spokesman, phone lines in Karachi were operating as usual later the same day (ibid.).

After 15 years of being blocked, communications between the Indian and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir were re-established on 20 October 2005 along the Line of Control between Indian and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, and would remain active for two weeks on the directive of Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh (The Advertiser 20 Oct. 2005; PPI 20 Oct. 2005).

Transportation Systems

For information on the status of roads with open status in earthquake-affected areas please see the attachment to this response entitled "Pakistan Earthquake Disaster Overview Affected Population Map (MapAction 15 Oct. 2005)".

On 27 October 2005, roads in Neelum valley were still blocked as a result of landslides and according to the UN, they were "not likely to be cleared" by the end of November 2005, while an official from the district administration in Muzaffarabad said it could take "many months" to repair them due to further landslides, collapsing mountains and winter conditions (UN 27 Oct. 2005; ibid. 3 Nov. 2005). On 30 October 2005, remote parts of northern Mansehra District, as well as other mountainous areas in the region, were still inaccessible by road, but the UN reported that access roads would be cleared by mid to late November 2005 (ibid. 27 Oct. 2005; ibid. 30 Oct. 2005).

On 1 November 2005, the government planned to use military assets and animal transport for delivery beyond accessible areas; delivery points were to be established at Chatterplain/Batagram, Balakot, Mansehra, Muzaffarabad and Bagh, Shangla Valley, Alai Valley, Jabari Valley, Sharan Valley, Kagan Valley, Neelum Valley, Jehlum Valley, Poonch, Abbottabad and Islamabad (ibid. 1 Nov. 2005).

A 10 October 2005 report stated that Pakistan International Airlines had made available extra flights to meet the demand of those going to the affected region and was carrying relief goods from abroad to the affected areas free of charge (Dawn 10 Oct. 2005b). In addition, all domestic airlines were carrying full loads of aid from Karachi to Islamabad (ibid. 10 Oct. 2005a). As a result of high trucking costs, goods were being transported by air and train (PPI 16 Oct. 2005; UN 27 Oct. 2005; Dawn 18 Oct. 2005b).

A 9 October 2005 news article stated that Pakistan Railways was offering transportation free of charge to relatives of those affected and would accommodate the increased number of travellers by attaching special cars to every train running between Karachi and Peshawar and establishing a special reservations centre (ibid. 9 Oct. 2005c). However, in practice, many people chose to travel mainly by air since Pakistan railways did not run a separate train from Karachi to Rawalpindi or Islamabad (ibid. 10 Oct. 2005a)

Government Institutions

The minister of the interior stated he has ordered the National Database and Registration Authority of Pakistan to register all earthquake-affected persons living in relief camps (The Nation 28 Oct. 2005).

In the opinion of the UN, there is an "urgent need" to improve the capacities of the civil administration of Pakistan since it has been "severely impacted" by the earthquake (UN 30 Oct. 2005). In addition, certain government officers and officials were reportedly hesitant to work in affected areas despite being deployed there, though reasons for their hesitation were not mentioned (PPI 2 Nov. 2005). The NWFP Chief Minister warned that there would be disciplinary action against these officials (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

References

The Advertiser. 20 October 2005. "Kashmir Reconnected." (Factiva)

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Associated Press (AP). 7 November 2005. Matthew Pennington. "Police Keep Kashmiris from Crossing Border." (Factiva)

_____. 29 October 2005. "Five Suspected Militants Arrested for Collecting Donations for Quake Victims." (Factiva)

_____. 25 October 2005. "Police: More Than 350 Arrested Since Earthquake for Stealing Aid in Pakistan." (Factiva)

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The Baluchistan Times. 27 October 2005. "SC to Hear Petition over Margalla Towers Collapse." (Factiva)

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Business Recorder. 28 October 2005. "Juma-tul-Wida Today." (Factiva)

The Canadian Press (CP). 28 October 2005. "Two Pakistani Officials Arrested over Collapse of Apartment Block in Quake." (Factiva)

Dawn [Karachi]. 2 November 2005a. "Karachi: Demo Staged Against Police Torture." http://www.dawn.com/2005/11/02/local21.htm [Accessed 2 Nov. 2005]

_____. 2 November 2005b. Khawar Ghumman. "Kashmiri Students to Study in Islamabad." http://www.dawn.com/2005/11/02/nat7.hmt [Accessed 2 Nov. 2005]

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_____. 22 October 2005b. "People Start Visiting Markets." (Factiva)

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_____. 1 November 2005b. "Quake Looters Eye Destroyed Buildings of Banks, Jewelers' Shops in Muzaffarabad." (Nexis)

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_____. 26 October 2005. "Substandard Construction Cost [sic] Many Lives, Minister." (Factiva)

_____. 20 October 2005. "Phone Lines Between Occupied and Azad Kashmir Go Active." (Factiva)

_____. 18 October 2005. "Shaukat Lauds Unprecedented Spirit of People." (Factiva)

_____. 17 October 2005. "200 Volunteers of Islamabad Police Leave for AJK." (Factiva)

_____. 16 October 2005. "Balochistan Government-Relief Efforts." (Factiva)

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_____. 22 October 2005. Raja Asghar. "Pakistan Quake Survivors Fight over Food." (Factiva)

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_____. 1 November 2005. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Pakistan Earthquake: OCHA Situation Report No 19. (OCHA/GVA-180) http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/HMYT-6HQRNZ?OpenDocument [Accessed 2 Nov. 2005]

_____. 30 October 2005. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Pakistan Earthquake: OCHA Situation Report No 18. (OCHA/GVA-2005/178) http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/RMOI-6HP43G?OpenDocument [Accessed 2 Nov. 2005]

_____. 27 October 2005. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Pakistan Earthquake: OCHA Situation Report No. 17. (OCHA/GVA-2005/178) http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EGUA-6HKQ8Z?OpenDocument [Accessed 2 Nov. 2005]

Attachment

MapAction. 15 October 2005. "Pakistan Earthquake Disaster OverviewAffected Population." T023/1. http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900LargeMaps/JOPA-6H9BBJ?OpenDocument [Accessed 9 Nov. 2005]