Pakistani Taliban offer Rs 2 mn in aid for flood victims

A statement issued by the Omar Khalid, chief of the Tehrik-e-Taliban chapter in the Mohmand tribal region said the militant 'shura' or council had endorsed the decision to provide Rs 2 million as aid for flood victims.

The Taliban also referred to Pakistan's "image deficit" in efforts to obtain aid from other countries, saying the world community has no interest in providing help and financial assistance to the government as it has lost the confidence and trust of global donor agencies. The statement claimed the relief provided by the world community is not being used in a judicious manner.

"That is why the Taliban have offered to provide fiscal assistance for the people passing through a difficult time," the statement added. The Taliban had earlier offered to provide aid for the flood victims and urged the government to reject aid from Western countries. The militants had also issued a veiled threat to foreign aid workers working in flood-hit areas.

Torrential rains have triggered unprecedented floods in Pakistan that have over the past month moved steadily from north to south affecting one-fifth of the country and over 17 million people. Hundreds of thousands have fled the southern city of Thatta, the latest to be threatened by the floods. Soldiers and civilian workers are fighting to save the city, repairing the breached levees on the river.