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Pakistan is once again facing diplomatic embarrassment after Sri Lanka found that some of the emergency aid sent as relief material for cyclone Ditwah included one-year-expired medical supplies and unusable food packets. Pakistan's attempt at showcasing solidarity and assistance to flood-hit island nation turned into an embarrassment after a shipment of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, food packets, and essential items was found to contain items that were already past their expiry date.
The backlash erupted merely hours after Pakistan High Commission posted photographs of the consignment on X, celebrating Islamabad’s support. “Always standing together Pakistan stands with Sri Lanka today and always,” the High Commission wrote while announcing the delivery of relief material meant for displaced families in Colombo.
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Moreover, social media users were also quick enough to flag the expired date of the relief items sent to Sri Lanka. Netizens flagged the “EXP” marking, commonly understood as “expiry date”, pointing out that October 2024 was more than a year ago. Islamabad has not issued a clarification so far. Netizens quickly noticed as to what appeared to be expiry dates of October 2024 printed on some of the packages.
The replies on the post pointed out the expiry date of the packages, with users claiming Pakistan is "disposing garbage" by sending expired food products as aid. One user wrote, "Instead of disposing in garbage, Pakistan chose to send its expired food materials to flood-hit Sri Lanka."
"Aren’t these Sri Lankan biscuits? These don’t seem to be 'relief packages FROM Pakistan'. "Some users questioned whether the donation was appropriate, with comments like “Any shame?” appearing under the post.
Another commenter joked that the High Commission should avoid opening the comments section to escape criticism, writing, “Comments na kholen paijaan” (Don’t open the comments, brother).
Adding to the confusion, one user noted that the food items seen in the photo looked like Sri Lankan-made biscuits, raising doubts about whether the supplies were actually sent from Pakistan.
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India on Monday expeditiously heeded to Pakistan's request to use Indian airspace to send humanitarian assistance to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, people familiar with the matter told news agency PTI. They also described as "fake" reports in the Pakistani media that India has not granted overflight facility to Pakistan to send aid to Sri Lanka. Officials clarified that Pakistan submitted an overflight request around 1:00pm local time on Monday, and India approved it "expeditiously," communicating the clearance by 5:30pm the same day through official channels.
(With PTI inputs)
The backlash erupted merely hours after Pakistan High Commission posted photographs of the consignment on X, celebrating Islamabad’s support. “Always standing together Pakistan stands with Sri Lanka today and always,” the High Commission wrote while announcing the delivery of relief material meant for displaced families in Colombo.
Pakistan sent expired aid to Sri Lanka
But the labels on several packages sent by Pakistan carried “EXP: 10/2024” and prompted accusations that Pakistan had shipped expired products to a nation battling one of its worst flooding crises in recent years. The consignment was checked upon arrival and several cartons were found to be expired or unusable, reports News18. Sri Lankan authorities have described it as "serious concern" with Colombo conveying its displeasure to Islamabad through both formal and informal diplomatic channels.ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold is here: Check its expected price in India, launch date, camera, features and more
Moreover, social media users were also quick enough to flag the expired date of the relief items sent to Sri Lanka. Netizens flagged the “EXP” marking, commonly understood as “expiry date”, pointing out that October 2024 was more than a year ago. Islamabad has not issued a clarification so far. Netizens quickly noticed as to what appeared to be expiry dates of October 2024 printed on some of the packages.
The replies on the post pointed out the expiry date of the packages, with users claiming Pakistan is "disposing garbage" by sending expired food products as aid. One user wrote, "Instead of disposing in garbage, Pakistan chose to send its expired food materials to flood-hit Sri Lanka."
"Aren’t these Sri Lankan biscuits? These don’t seem to be 'relief packages FROM Pakistan'. "Some users questioned whether the donation was appropriate, with comments like “Any shame?” appearing under the post.
Another commenter joked that the High Commission should avoid opening the comments section to escape criticism, writing, “Comments na kholen paijaan” (Don’t open the comments, brother).
Adding to the confusion, one user noted that the food items seen in the photo looked like Sri Lankan-made biscuits, raising doubts about whether the supplies were actually sent from Pakistan.
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India delivers 53 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka
Bolstering its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has delivered 53 tonnes of relief material to it via air and sea since November 28. India has also brought more than 2,000 stranded Indians back from the cyclone-hit island nation, the government said on Monday. "NDRF teams continue to carry out search and rescue operations in various severely affected and isolated regions of Sri Lanka, assisting flood-hit families and ensuring their immediate safety. Over 150 persons have been rescued and assisted in these combined operations, which are continuing," the Ministry of External Affairs said. New Delhi has delivered aid to Colombo both through sea and aerial routes, using Indian Air Force's transport aircraft and frontline naval platforms.ALSO READ: Bengaluru weather update: Why Bangalore feels like Shimla and will the city see more chilly days ahead? Check IMD prediction
India on Monday expeditiously heeded to Pakistan's request to use Indian airspace to send humanitarian assistance to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, people familiar with the matter told news agency PTI. They also described as "fake" reports in the Pakistani media that India has not granted overflight facility to Pakistan to send aid to Sri Lanka. Officials clarified that Pakistan submitted an overflight request around 1:00pm local time on Monday, and India approved it "expeditiously," communicating the clearance by 5:30pm the same day through official channels.
(With PTI inputs)
