Sunday, 30th May 2009

I have been having trouble sleeping since my arrival in Pakistan, so i felt absolutely shattered and had a thumping headache.I had to force myself to do anything, I eventually reached Panja Sahib about 1pm, it was another extremely hot day.The kids were happily playing in the pool and the adults were sitting in the shaded areas.I walked carefully around the people sleeping on the floor to pay my respects to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Today i had come to Panja Sahib to see what we can offer to the refugees from Khalsa Aid. The meeting started well with Sardar Sarung Singh and 5 others in the room and as usual tea was served.I started the meeting by asking Sardar Sarung Singh to state exactly what they wanted from Khalsa Aid and from other NGOs,his answer was simple and quick, CASH ! I looked up at him and asked him who was to receive the cash and where will it be spent, i also wanted to know who was running the camp due to so much confusion .I was told that there was a 18 man committee set up to run the camp and 2 of the committee members ( a professor and a businessman ) had opened a bank account on their names.This bank account already has RS4Lakh deposited in it and this was set up for any major emergencies within the refugee camp. I made it clear to all the men sitting in that room that Khalsa Aid does not give cash but will purchase any items that are needed.

As soon as i stepped out of the room i was met by a local MNA ( Member of National Assembly ) , Haresh Kumar , his the representative for the minorities in Swat.He was dressed in brilliant white, sunglasses and had a big gold Kara on his wrist.I asked him about his role in the relief of the refugees in Panja Sahib.He informed me ( very steadfastly ) that he was " here to serve his people " and invited me to have dinner with him at his lodge at the Parliament. I thanked him and said i was too busy.I asked him about the running of the camp and who really was in charge, he stated that the Pakistani government was paying for the daily food for the refugees. I told Mr Kumar that i have been told Sardar Sarung Singh is in charge and that the Pakistani Gurdwara Prabandak Committee (PGPC ) was feeding the refugees.Mr Kumar was adamant that the PGPC didnt exist and that he had personally got it dissolved.

I had been here 3 days establishing who i was going to deal with and how Khalsa Aid was going get involved in providing relief.I just sat down on the steps and wondered if the Panjabi community will ever sort itself out and walked out of the Gurdwara Sahib.This whole episode has been extremely disappointing and i have decided that i will not work with any of them. HELP !!!!

I got on the phone to my contacts in Kartarpur Sahib and asked Bhai Manjit Singh Ji to send me a Sevadar who Khalsa Aid will pay to conduct its operations at the camp and to follow the progress of families when they go back to their homes.I have decided that Khalsa Aid will offer milk daily to children under 10 and baby milk powder for children under 2.The milk cartons contain nearly 300ml of milk , 2 cartons a day for the kids.I have been told there are about 150 children under 10 in the camp.

On the way back from Panja Sahib we were stopped by the heavily armed special forces just outside Islamabad.I was told to get out from the car by a very serious looking soldier. When i got out the soldiers sitting in the jeep nearby shouted " Let Sardar Ji go ,let him go !! " The soldier gave my passport back and we drove off. There is armed police and special forces everywhere, the atmosphere is very tense.