Residents carry their belongings through a flooded road in Risalpur, located in Nowshera District, in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province July 30, 2010.
After weeks of criticizing government flood relief efforts, some Pakistani media have begun to cautiously praise Islamabad’s response while warning that if the public’s “urgent” needs are not met, Pakistan will become a “failed state.” English- and Urdu-language media continue to carry varying amounts of praise for U.S. flood relief efforts. Some media have reported allegations that floodwaters were diverted to protect a “U.S. airbase” at Jacobabad.
Pakistani, state-run PTV is also playing up government relief efforts like reconstruction of roads and visits by government-sponsored teams to relief camps. State news agency APP said PTV has also set up “talk shows, fundraising campaigns, and special public service messages” to facilitate relief efforts (APP, 18 August). Some English- and Urdu-language media seem to be shifting from their earlier, broad-scale attacks on government relief efforts while warning that if “urgent” public needs are not met, Pakistan will become a “failed state” leading to “bloodshed” (Geo News TV, 18 August).
State media continue to report and comment positively on U.S. aid as do some private media. APP reported U.S. Senator Kerry’s pledge to increase US aid to $150 million, and Geo News TV cited U.S. Ambassador Patterson as outlining U.S. aid (19, 17 August).
Popular Geo News TV host Kamran Khan said that “Saudi Arabia and the United States” are “great friends of Pakistan,” as they are providing aid “magnanimously,” and he also cited the details of U.S. relief efforts listed by Ambassador Patterson and her statement that the United States is “standing alongside Pakistan in this moment of crisis” (17 August). Prior to Secretary Clinton’s 19 August announcement of additional U.S. aid, Jang reported that among the countries which have provided aid for the flood-affected, “Saudi Arabia stands at number one while the United States stands at number two” (19 August). Even anti-US outlets have — on occasion — carried positive reports on US aid efforts. For example, The Nation quoted U.S. Marine Corps Commander General Conway as expressing “full support” to Pakistan and as saying the United States “will continue to provide timely funds” for flood victims (19 August). Azadi, which gives extensive coverage to Taliban activities, acknowledged that the United States has sent “18 US Marine helicopters” into Swat for rescue operations, which has “given hope” to the people (19 August).
