New Delhi: Pakistan has faced severe criticism for sending relief material to Sri Lanka well beyond their expiry date. What was more embarrassing for the country is the fact that its mission in Sri Lanka shared images of the packages sent to affected “brothers and sisters”.
“Relief packages from Pakistan have been successfully delivered to assist our brothers and sisters affected by the recent floods in Sri Lanka, which signifies our unwavering solidarity,” the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka posted on X, with the images.
However, alert netizens quickly noticed what appeared to be expiry dates of October 2024 printed on some of the packages. The replies to the post pointed out the expiry date of the packages, with users claiming Pakistan is “disposing garbage” by sending expired food products as aid.
“Instead of disposing in garbage, Pakistan chose to send its expired food materials to flood-hit Sri Lanka,” one user w
rote.
Another wrote: “Any shame?”, while a third joked that the High Commission should avoid opening the comments section to escape criticism.
“Comments na kholen paijaan. (Don’t open the comments, brother),” the user joked.
Another social media user highlighted a photograph of items that resembled Sri Lankan-made biscuits, questioning whether the supplies were genuinely sent from Pakistan.
“Aren’t these Sri Lankan biscuits? These don’t seem to be ‘relief packages FROM Pakistan’,” he posted.
India, meanwhile dismissed claims that it had blocked Pakistan’s airspace request for delivering relief materials to Sri Lanka. Officials clarified that Pakistan submitted an overflight request around 1 pm local time on Monday, and India approved it “expeditiously,” communicating the clearance by 5.30 pm the same day through official channels.
Cyclone Ditwah has caused devastating floods and landslides in Sri Lanka. According to the United Nations, nearly 9,98,918 people across all 25 districts have been affected, with 212 reported deaths. As many as 218 are missing. More than 1,80,000 people from over 51,000 families are sheltering in 1,094 government-run safety centres as search and rescue efforts continue, the report says.
India was the first responder, sending relief material and rescue teams to the island nation.