[ more ERRAs. ]
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Ex-ERRA chief says he was fired
ISLAMABAD: Lt Gen Muhammed Zubair, the former head of Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA), said on Tuesday that he had been fired and an opposition party welcomed the move, accusing him of inaction in the aftermath of the October 8 earthquake.
Zubair said that he was sacked as the chairman of ERRA after President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told him on Monday that he was to be replaced by a civilian.
“No, I have not resigned. The decision was taken to replace me with a civilian,” Zubair said, dismissing media reports that he had stepped down after three months in office. Zubair said that he had been given no reason for the dismissal.
He said that he was proud of the pace with which he had secured planning approvals for the reconstruction projects covering six cities devastated by the earthquake. “The World Bank and the donors agree with us that our speed has been very fast during the past three months,” he said. “They’re happy with us, there’s no problem.” Musharraf’s spokesman declined to comment and Aziz’s spokesman was not immediately available. Media reports cited a government statement saying that the 56-year-old career soldier was leaving his post because he had skillfully accomplished his assignment. The development was welcomed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which had opposed military control of the earthquake response after the initial rescue effort.
Aitzaz Ahsan of the PPP accused Zubair of ‘having done nothing so far’ to relieve victims’ suffering. “If there is criticism, it is for the absolute inaction of Zubair in this period,” Aitzaz said “He has absolutely nothing to show for himself on the ground,” he added. ap
DailyTimes.com (where you’ll find a very funny pic of Gen Z, looking rather huffy)
uff, the righteous indignation at being replaced by a civilian. damn those buggers. think they know how to run a country. we will miss you, General.
no, really.
