event details - DDF Mansehra: Hitches in Reconstruction of Earthquake Hit Balakot City

In the backdrop of 2005 deadly earthquake, which completely destroyed Balakot town of Mansehra district, the government had committed to relocate the town 20 kilometers away from its actual location to a safer spot constructing quake proof houses and providing basic facilities there. Earlier, the government had declared Balakot a red zone area. The master plan involved compensation to 3,800 families of two union councils and provision of property as well as economic, health and recreational facilities by purchasing land around the various towns/villages in Mansehra district. The purchased land was divided into five zones.

The residents of Bakrial, a town located in Zone A, differed to this allotment considering its economic importance and congested residential space. The plan has been changed eight times yet the progress is minimal. Balakot and Bakrial residents being resolute on their position of land allotments swayed to violence which has resulted fatalities.

With the risk of such hostility that surfaced at the District Dialogue Forum (DDF), the conveners abide by the forum rules allowing every participant to present uninterrupted insight, opinion and recommendations on the issue. With such regulation of discipline and solution-oriented dialogue, the participants realized that the conflict was not amongst the two localities; Balakot victims had no preference as to where they would be accommodated by the government and were not determined in attaining the land from Bakrial populace as was earlier misunderstood. Bakrial residents, on the other hand, wanted accountability of the funds allotted by the government and Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) representatives and as from whom were their lands purchased taking in account of previous ownership disputes in the zone.

Deputy Commissioner Zulfiqar Ali Shah and Director Housing/Urban Development representing ERRA Lt-Col Abrar Ismail remained engaged with the participants to discuss ?as to how the planning of the ?New Balakot City? would be done in order to bring the calamity-hit people back to peace and relief. Lt-Col Abrar Ismail gave a comprehensive presentation on the implementation of planned infrastructure (roads, water management, schools) in the initial stage and then the rebuilding of houses during the next two years. He clarified that ERRA had the authority to acquire land as it has the mandate of development on a piece of land provided by the provincial government.

At the end of two-day forum, a Joint Peace Committee was proposed that comprised community leaders of both localities which accountability of Donor?s Funds. Furthermore, the two conflicting parties ? Balakot and Bakrial - assigned roles and responsibilities to relevant influential individuals that would be part of the premeditated Joint Peace Committee. It was measured adamant that previous pertinent authorities be incorporated for the resolution of the conflict, which included commissioner of Hazara, representatives from PERA and ERRA (Mr Afaq), DPO Mansehra, and formerly engaged government officials (Abdul Khalique). Former Nazims were also agreed to be held accountable for the role they played over time. The strategy intended to be implemented would be initiated with the recovery of payments to various Bakrial land owners until disputes on ownership be determined, followed by employment of locals in ERRA, which was minimal in the past. The Joint Peace Committee was selected to enforce its right to information for attaining data regarding strict accountability of ERRA funds, status of available funds and where past expenses were designated.