Colombo furious over unusable relief items sent by Islamabad
Islamabad is facing a severe diplomatic backlash after a humanitarian gesture towards Sri Lanka backfired spectacularly. In a move that has been labeled a "cruel joke" by critics, a relief consignment sent by Pakistan to assist victims of Cyclone Ditwah was found to contain goods that were past their expiration dates.
Aid Turned Sour
Sri Lanka is currently grappling with a massive natural disaster, but the help arriving from Pakistan has only added to the frustration. Authorities in Colombo conducted immediate inspections of the shipment, which was supposed to contain vital medical supplies, food rations, and other survival essentials. However, officials were shocked to discover that numerous cartons contained items that were expired and completely unfit for human consumption.
The embarrassment was compounded by the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka, which had posted photographs of the relief effort on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to showcase their solidarity. Ironically, astute observers noted that the expiry dates visible in the shared images indicated the goods were from 2024, confirming the negligence.
Diplomatic Fallout
The discovery has triggered a swift negative reaction within Sri Lanka’s disaster management and foreign affairs circles. Colombo has reportedly conveyed its strong dissatisfaction to Islamabad through multiple diplomatic channels. Officials argue that sending unusable goods during a national emergency casts serious doubt on Pakistan's competence and sincerity as a regional partner.
This incident has dealt a blow to Pakistan's efforts to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean region. Instead of garnering goodwill, the move has invited criticism regarding the quality of support the nation provides to its neighbors.
A Pattern of Insensitivity?
This is not the first time Pakistan’s relief diplomacy has sparked controversy. Civil society groups in Sri Lanka are drawing parallels to the 2015 Nepal earthquake. During that crisis, Pakistan faced heavy criticism for sending beef masala packets to Nepal, a Hindu-majority nation where cows are sacred. That incident was widely condemned as culturally insensitive.
Crisis on the Ground
The "fake aid" controversy comes at a desperate time. The region is reeling from the impact of heavy monsoons and tropical cyclones, which have claimed roughly 1,200 lives across four nations. In Sri Lanka, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency, describing the floods as the most challenging natural disaster in the country's history, with nearly 400 confirmed dead.
In response to the expired shipment, Sri Lankan officials have announced strictly revised inspection protocols for all incoming international aid to prevent future risks to public health.
