Pleas for Pakistan Floods

[HardDrive]

How can the Pakistan government seriously expect the international community to put there hands in their pockets, dig deep to help the victims of the flood whilst their president is living it up in Europe? My son wanted to do something in his summer camp to help, i discouraged him as whatever he raised wouldn't near pay for a minute of the lifestyle their president is having. why didn't European govenments not tell him to go home and why did Cameron invite him to Checkers, he declined of course, decided to stay in his top london hotel. Rant over...........

[boxtops]

I agree that it's very odd that he hasn't raced home to be seen to lead the rescue efforts, but the cost of his trip is probably minute compared with the costs of having to save and rehome 12 million people who have been affected by the floods.

[HardDrive]

I know that it would cost millions but while there are floods, fires, hurricanes and earthquakes daily, i don't mind trying to help disaster areas, but that president had a devil may care attitude to his nation, if he doesnt care why should we. I do actually care but it's his attitude is soul destroying. especially when we watch footage on the news every evening. His trip here would be a drop in the ocean so to speak but it would still be there for the vulnerable.

[boxtops]

I haven't followed anything about his trip, but perhaps he feels that building up some international goodwill will be of more use ultimately than rushing home. I don't know what he's spoken about on his trip so am not really in a position to say.

[HardDrive]

Must admit neither would I, I would never have known he was coming only for the floods. Obviously more urgent business than at home. It was my rant of the day.

[eyethenkyew]

Maybe they should refuse to let him back in when he eventually does go home?

[Buenchico]

Point 1:
Under the constitution of Pakistan it is not the responsibility of the President to take charge of situations such as the present one. It is the duty of the Prime Minister. Yousaf Raza Gillani seems to be doing an excellent job under extremely difficult circumstances.

Point 2:
In an age of instant electronic communications, there is absolutely nothing that Asif Ali Zardari could do in Islamabad that he can't do in London.

Point 3:
However bad the situation in Pakistan may be, however many thousands may die and however millions may have their lives destroyed, a flood is still ephemeral. Terrorism is not. Asif Ali Zardari is looking to the long term in his discussions with David Cameron, rather than to the 'here and now'. He is correctly carrying out his role as President, whereas (as stated above) it is the role of the Prime Minister to deal with the present crisis.

Chris