Karachi : Pakistan’s attempt at showcasing solidarity with flood-hit Sri Lanka spiralled into embarrassment after Colombo-bound relief packages shared by the Pakistan High Commission itself. The backlash erupted within hours of the High Commission posting photographs of the consignment on X, celebrating Islamabad’s support.
The labels on several packages, however, carried “EXP: 10/2024”, prompting widespread accusations that Pakistan had shipped expired products to a nation battling one of its worst flooding crises in recent years. But the celebratory message was quickly overshadowed by the images it uploaded. Social media users flagged the “EXP” marking, commonly understood as “expiry date”, pointing out that October 2024 was more than a year ago.
Critics accused Pakistan of disrespecting disaster victims by sending goods allegedly past their shelf-life. Some users also questioned why the mission had publicly posted photographs without inspecting the labels. While Pakistan faced questions over its consignment, India ramped up a massive humanitarian mission to support Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah, which triggered severe flooding, casualties and large-scale disruption across the island nation.
“NDRF teams continue search and rescue in isolated regions Over 150 persons have been rescued,” the MEA said. Relief has been dispatched on Indian Air Force transport aircraft and Navy vessels, including INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted a photograph of INS Sukanya arriving in Trincomalee with humanitarian supplies.
In coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant and MI-17s of the IAF carried out extensive winching of stranded civilians, including pregnant women, infants and the critically injured.
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