Mafias run Pakistani economy: Dr. Kaiser Bengali

According to Dr. Kaiser Bengali, an eminent economist Pakistani economy is mostly run by mafias, who often join politics and the government to get “legal benefits.”

These mafias enjoy monopoly profits, which they use to further strengthen their political designs.

Dr. Bengali, who remained Advisor to the past governments in Sindh, Balochistan and Centre, while speaking at an online post-budget 2020-21 webinar on Sunday said sugar, wheat flour, fertilizer and paper industries are minting money by availing various subsidies and incentives in the form of tax exemptions. Most of the owners of these industries are either in the government or they are relatives of the ministers.

“You have heard about the sugar scandal and a good thing has happened that an inquiry report has been made public, which exposed how the sugar mafia is looting the national wealth by adopting all “legal procedures.”

Describing further, Dr. Bengali said the sugar mafia provides wrong figures and manipulates the situation for their benefit. First, they export sugar and claim subsidies on exports then create a shortage in the country to raise its prices. These sugar mill owners are mostly politicians, who often make policies for their benefit. Sugar mills are not paying properly costs to sugarcane growers and swindle taxes like FED and GST through manipulation.

Flour mills receive wheat from the government’s procured stocks at subsidised rates. The main aim of this incentive is that they would supply flour at lower rates. In fact, these mills purchase wheat from the open market and then sell flour at higher by mixing the rates. “They put the subsidy on wheat in their pockets and sell flour at higher rates,” he said.

In Pakistan, three paper mills have created a cartel, which has made many publishing houses bankrupt as they sell paper at higher rates. “Now the situation is such that most of the curricular books, even in Urdu are published and imported directly from China and Indonesia as there is no import duty on published books. The paper mafia is so powerful that every year the government announces to change the duty structure, but it always fails to do so.

He said most of the fertilizer manufacturing units are owned by the Military subsidiaries in Pakistan, which receive Sui (natural) gas at very cheaper rates, almost free, and also receive subsidies on the selling of fertilizer to growers.

It is a matter of fact that more than 60 per cent of fertilizer is being used by Punjab, whereas Sindh consumes only 20 per cent. The Sui gas-producing province Balochistan consumes only 4 per cent of the fertilizer, thus most of the subsidy goes to Punjab at the cost of smaller provinces like Balochistan and Sindh that produce the natural gas.

“We have not seen the reverse transfer of the benefit from Punjab to Balochistan,” he said adding that Punjab does not provide any subsidy to Balochistan while supplying wheat the people of Balochistan have to purchase wheat at the market rates.

Watch the entire speech: Click here

Sacrilege of Hindu COVID-19 deceased in Dadu

Sindh’s customary secular and Sufi traditions were shattered when some religious zealots in Dadu city thrashed the body of a deceased Hindu Kewal Ram who died because of Coronavirus when his relatives were performing cremation at Shamshanghat, a dedicated place to perform the last rituals of Hindus.

These Muslim zealots, living in the neighbourhood forcibly entered the walled Shamshanghat and tried to intervene during the last rituals by putting out the fire while throwing buckets of water and desecrating the body.

Dadu was once famous for religious harmony where hundreds of Hindu families still live in a peaceful environment. In recent years, religious fanaticism has increased in Dadu city as well where religious mind Muslims have become intolerant.

According to reports, a group of religious zealots intervened in the cremation of Seth Kewal Ram Rathor, a notable Hindu and trader of Dadu city by asking the relatives not to perform cremation near their homes as the deceased had died of COVID-19. They were fearing the spread of the virus in the neighbourhood.

Click Here to watch the video

The relatives and Hindu notables of the area assured that cremation rituals were being done according to the government Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and there was no chance of the spread of the virus. However, the intruders were insisting to stop the rituals.

Local police were called, which forced the intruders to go out of the Shamshanghat and the final rituals were completed under the supervision of the Police.

According to the FIR, registered on behalf of the state, dozens of people had entered Shamshanghat and threatened the relatives of the deceased to stop the rituals because they were fearing the spread of the virus. Some of them were carrying buckets of water, which they threw on the fire in an attempt to put it out.

A press release, issued by Police department on Thursday stated that Dadu Police have arrested three nominated accused namely Izhar Solangi, Ghulam Hussain Solangi and Mohammad Yousuf Solangi. The FIR registered under Sections of 295A, 186, 296 and 297 Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) has nominated six persons whereas 20-25 others were included in the case.

Unabated use of religion against opponents in Sindh

Sindh has witnessed two recent incidents in which the religious tool of blasphemy law was (mis)used against the opponents.

In the first case, the state on Tuesday filed a blasphemy case against a professor of Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Sajid Soomro with charges of contempt of Islam as he reportedly took part in the funeral of a Sindhi writer Atta Mohammad Bhanbhro. Prof. Soomro was later arrested by Khairpur police from his home early on Wednesday.

Prof. Sajid Soomro is also a famous writer and a member of Sindhi Abadi Sangat.

Another incident took place in Hyderabad where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Fazlur Rehman group started a social media campaign against a leader of Women Action Forum (WAF) Dr. Arfana Mallah alleging that she has done blasphemy by condemning the Blasphemy law. Interestingly this law has been condemned by many, but why JUI-F found it objectionable in the case of Dr. Mallah.

The JUI-F’s local leadership asked the party workers through a Facebook post to gather at a mosque in Bhitai Nagar and from there they will proceed to a police station to lodge an FIR against the women rights activists Prof. Dr. Mallah who is teaching at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro.

Dr. Mallah had played a key role in organising the Aurat March at Sukkur in March this year despite severe opposition by fanatics and religious leaders including provincial leadership of JUI-F. Before the March, the JUI Sindh had threatened to stop the march.

Later, Women Action Forum issued a press release condemning threats to Dr. Arfana Mallah. “We demand that police thwart such nefarious attempts and that this situation is handled in a timely and lawful manner before any damage is caused,” the WAF statement added.

Interestingly both the victims are professors of universities. According to the FIR against Prof. Soomro, the police have included Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

Misuse of the Blasphemy law is quite common in Pakistan as this law, was made stringent by the Military dictator General Ziaul Haq and was misused against the opposition and minority activists. The law has hit vulnerable sections, especially women and minorities. In Sindh last year a couple of serious incidents happened in which people from the Hindu community were made targets.

I don’t know what is the main cause of concern for JUI-F leadership in Sindh this time against Dr. Mallah, but it is a matter of the fact that the religious zealots have always used this law as a tool to gain their nefarious designs.

According to a post by Azam Jahangiri of JUI F on Facebook, Dr. Arfana Mallah uttered derogatory words against the Blasphemy law in her Facebook post while condemning the registration of a case against Prof. Soomro. Therefore, his party under the leadership of Taj Mohammad Nahiyon is determined to lodge a blasphemy case against Dr. Mallah.

RIP Steel Mills

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet on Wednesday announced laying off all the 9,350 remaining employees of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) with a golden handshake incentive worth around Rs 20 billion.

Presided over by the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh the ECC, however, decided to retain about 250 employees for a period of 3 months for the execution of the human resource rationalisation plan and completion of formalities.

This news sent a shock-wave among the workers and trade unions, which have been demanding the release of salaries of workers. They have announced to launch of a movement against the PTI government’s move. The social media is filled with speeches by Prime Minister Imran Khan and Asad Umer who had addressed PSM workers before coming into power. They had pledged to revive the Mills and not to retrench any workers. The social media posts indicate they have done the opposite.

At least two retrenched workers of PSM Ejaz Samoo and Muhammad Yunus Baloch reportedly suffered heart attacks and died due to the shocking news.

At least five trade union leaders of Pakistan Steel including Yaseen Jamro, who is the Chairman of the current Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) of the PSM (Steel Mills Insaf Union) were arrested while protesting outside the mills on Thursday and were later released by police.

According to the government, each employee would be paid an estimated amount of Rs 2.3 million.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on March 13, 2020, asked the federal government to lay off all the redundant employees and appoint new people if it wanted to keep PSM running.

Established by former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto with financial and technological support from the former Soviet Union in 1973 the Pakistan Steel Mills was once the largest industrial mega-corporation complex producing steel for industrial purposes. The project was formally launched by former Military dictator General Ziaul Haq on 15 January 1985.

Having a production capacity of 1.1 million tonnes of steel  Pakistan Steel Mills is spread out over an area of 7,550 hectares (18,660 acres) including 4,205 ha (10,390 acres) for the main plant, 3,266 ha (8,070 acres) for the township and 81 ha (200 acres) for the 110 MG water reservoir. In addition, it has leasehold rights over an area of 3,043 ha (7,520 acres) for the quarries of limestone and dolomite in the Makli and Jhimpir areas of the Thatta district. (For further details pl. visit: Pakistan Steel’s History.)

The PSM, which has been facing many crises since the 1990s stopped its commercial operations in June 2015 without formulating any human resource plan for its 14,753 employees which has since come down to 9,350 in 2019.

Despite its non-functional status, the fate of such a large number of employees remained undeclared as they have been demanding their dues since 2015.

During General Pervaiz Musharraf’s era, the federal government tried to privatise it, but the Supreme Court of Pakistan stopped its sale.

I can recall that I wrote a feature in monthly Newsline in its May 2006 issue with the title The Grand Steel Steal, in which I highlighted the military government’s design to sell an important national asset.

Although it was an inevitable decision on part of the government as it is unable to pay huge amounts of salaries to the employees, who are virtually kept redundant due to the non-functioning of the corporation since 2015. The successive governments had failed to revive the Steel Mills, which needed huge capital investment. Once the Sindh Government had shown interest to buy the Mills, but it backed out due to unknown reasons.

کورونا وائرس وبا، ماسک اور ہمارا رویہ

آج گلشن معمار میں بینک گیا. ہفتے کا پہلا دن ہونے کی وجہ سے رش بہت تھا. نمبر لے کر کونے میں بیٹھ گیا۔

دیکھا کہ کچھ لوگوں نے (مجھ سمیت) ماسک پہن رکھے تھے مگر کافی لوگ بغیر ماسک یا سیمی ماسک لگائے ہوئے تھے (مطلب ماسک تو لٹکا ہوا تھا مگر آپس میں بات کرتے ہوئے مونہہ سے ہٹارہے تھے۔).

ایک شخص جب گیٹ سے اندرآیا تو ماسک پہنا ہوا تھا. مگر بیٹھتے ہی ماسک جیب میں ڈال دیا۔ گیٹ کا چوکیدار بغیر ماسک کے اندر آنے نہیں دے رہا تھا۔

پاس میں دو پثھان بغیر ماسک کے ایک ساتھ بیٹھے تھے، ان کے کندھوں پر چادریں تھیں، جن کو مونہہ پر ڈال کر اندر آئے تھے مگر بیٹھتے ہی کپڑا ہٹا دیا. بینک افسر ان کے پاس آیا اور کہا کہ اپنا مونہہ ڈھاپ لیں یا ماسک پہن لیں. کہنے لگے گرمی ہے اور تمہارا اے۔سی بھی ٹھنڈک کم دے رہا ہے اس لیے کپڑا ہٹا دیا ہے. افسر کے اسرار پر بھی انہوں نے اپنا چہرہ کھلا ہی رکھا۔

جس بندے نے ماسک جیب میں ڈالا ہوا تھا اس کو بھی افسرنے پاس آکر کہا کہ ماسک پہن لو، مگر اس نے سنی ان سنی کردی اور ویسے ہی بیٹھا رہا۔ مگر جب اس کا نمبر آیا تو میں نے دیکھا کہ اس نے جیب سے ماسک نکالا اور پہن کر کھڑکی پر گیا۔

بیٹھے بیٹھے میں سوچتا رہا کہ ہماری قوم اس وبا کے پھیل جانے کے باوجود بھی کتنی نان (غیر) سیریس ہے اور میں ایسے رویوں پر افسوس کرتا رہا۔

پھر میرا نمبر کال ہوا۔ جب میں کھڑکی کے پاس پہنچا تو دیکھا کہ شیشے کے اس پار بیٹھے تمام کیشیئرز میں سے کسی ایک نے بھی ماسک نہیں پہنا ہوا تھا۔

4th time cut in policy rate @8%

For the 4th time in a row the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday announced another cut of 100 basis points (bps) in the Policy Rate by fixing it at 8%, a press release said.

The SBP has reduced the policy rate by a cumulative 525 bps since 17 March 2020.

According to the central bank, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at its meeting on 15th May 2020 made the latest adjustment in the Policy Rate. This decision reflected the MPC’s view that the inflation outlook has
improved further in light of the recent cut in domestic fuel prices.

As a result, inflation could fall closer to its lower end of the previously announced ranges of 11-12 per cent this fiscal year and 7-9 per cent next fiscal year, the press release added.

It was a long-standing demand of the traders to reduce the interest rate to facilitate their borrowings from banks. The traders have been demanding to reduce the Policy Rate to 2-3 per cent.

To facilitate the businessmen from the economic shocks of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) related lockdown in Pakistan the central bank has already announced a special scheme to provide soft loans to the private sector so that they can retain and pay salaries to their employees during the lockdown closure of the offices. On April 10, 2020, the SBP announced an incentive scheme entitled Refinance Scheme for Payment of Wages and Salaries to the Workers and Employees of Business Concerns.

The SBP enhanced its refinance limits to finance up to 100% of wages and salaries of businesses with an average 3- month wage bill of up to Rs 500 million. This can be used for the onward payment of wages and salaries in April, May and June 2020. Earlier, 100% financing was available up to a wage bill of Rs 200 million only. Similarly, for businesses with a 3-month wage bill exceeding Rs 500 million, State Bank will now finance of up to 75% with maximum financing of Rs 1 billion. Earlier, 75% financing was available up to a maximum of Rs 375 million and 50% up to a maximum of Rs 500 million.

The profits on bank deposits, term deposits and fixed deposit schemes would further be reduced as the commercial banks including National Saving Centre have already reduced their rates to a minimal level and pensioners and widows who have been investing in various schemes to earn regular income would receive less amount. Currently, term deposit profits range from 7 to 7.5 percent when the discount rate was 9 per cent. These banks will certainly reduce it further to bring to the level of 6 yo 6.5 percent.

Labour Day 2020: Lackluster due to COVID_19

This year International Workers Day or May Day is being observed across the world amid lockdowns in most of countries due to Pandemic Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!” has been a famous slogan of Marx, which the workers of the world adopted and it became the main slogan during May Day rallies across the world. But this year those rallies are not going to happen due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

One can recall that International Workers’ Day is observed on the first of May every year to remember the Haymarket affair, which occurred in Chicago. The Haymarket affair riot was the aftermath of a bombing that took place at a labour demonstration on May 4, 1886, at Haymarket Square in Chicago.

“Eight-hour day with no cut in pay” was the popular slogan of the Chicago workers.

In 1904 the 6^th Conference of the Second International called on “all Social Democratic Party organisations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on the First of May for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace.

Besides Pakistan, the first of May is a national, public holiday in many countries across the world, in most cases as “Labour Day”, “International Workers’ Day” or some similar name. It is interesting to note that some countries celebrate Labour Day on other dates significant to them, such as the United States and Canada celebrate their Labour Day on the first Monday of September.

Trade unions and labour-supporting organisations throughout Pakistan organise seminars, rallies and parades where union leaders deliver speeches emphasizing the history of Labour Day and its importance. In Karachi, for many years, the main function is held at Karachi Press Club where trade unions, workers' wings of political parties, journalists unions and other labour organisations gather and their leaders address the seminars or conferences.

A night before the May Day a lamp/candle rally was held every year in support of Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi’s workers from Karachi Press Club to Shaheen Complex.

Representatives of various trade unions, civil society, lawyers, teachers, human rights organizations and other workers have been joining the rally in solidarity with workers. The fight for union rights at the Karachi hotel began in September 2001, when management announced that due to a decline in bookings it would sack all casual and temporary workers and eliminate one day of paid work per week for permanent staff.

The management fired 350 workers without informing the union. The dismissal letters were published in a daily newspaper on November 8, and the workers were barred from entering the hotel when they reported for work the next day.

More than 40 permanent employees, including union officers, were then brutally sacked for defending the rights of the dismissed workers. In 2002, the management arranged for leaders of the union to be falsely accused of crimes. Three union leaders spent more than two months in prison on fabricated charges without a single piece of evidence ever being produced. Since then the issue is still unresolved. The Sindh labour department had attempted to solve the issue, but it remains unresolved due to the adamant attitude of the PC management.

This year’s May Day is unusual in the history of the labour movement as the workers are unable to observe as they are simultaneously hard-hit because of the prolonged lockdown since March 23 as most of the industries and businesses are completely or partially shut down and many companies have started laying off their employees due to closure of markets, transport and shipping services and shopping markets.

Although Sindh government has issued a notification barring the industries from laying off their workers and making payment of wages for the month of March, some industries have still not followed the government orders and removed services of many of their workers. Others owners have not paid even March’s salaries.

Now the issue of payment of wages for April and May months is still unresolved as industries have refused to pay further due to no work during April. Although the State Bank of Pakistan has offered a special package for the industries and businesses to get loans on very discounted rats from banks to pay salaries to their staff. This 4-5 percent markup loan is payable with softer terms.

Pakistan with an estimated labour force of 61 million was already facing economic hardships due to widening trade gap as its imports are double than export proceeds. This situation further worsened during the last two years as the the new government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has failed to improve the economy. It has massively devalued Pakistan currency and impose curbs on imported goods. This has improved the situation of trade deficit but local industries have suffered due to tight economic polices and tax regimes. The COVID_19 crisis has further aggravated the economy’s situation as the international financial institutions predict a negative growth in Gross Domestic Produce (GDP) during the next fiscal year. This year’s growth would be less than 2 percent.

Earth Day 2020: “Climate Action”

Every year on the 22^nd of April Earth Day is observed worldwide. In Pakistan also environmental protection organisations and agencies observe this day. The theme of this year’s day is Climate Action. Due to coronavirus lockdowns across the world, this day is being observed virtually in cyberspace.

Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.

At the end of 2020, nations will be expected to increase their national commitments to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. The time is now for citizens to call for greater global ambition to tackle our climate crisis. Unless every country in the world steps up – and steps up with urgency and ambition — we are consigning current and future generations to a dangerous future.

The world’s largest civic event is going digital for the first time in its history. The organisers will demand that leaders take science seriously, listen to their people and push for action at every level of society to stop the rising tide of climate change.

“We can make a better world for everyone. Tell everyone you know about April 22 and join us at earthday.org as we flood the world with messages of hope, optimism and, above all — action,” stated a message on the online website www.earthday.org/earth-day-live.

On April 22, 1970, over 20 million Americans (about 10% of the U.S. population at the time) took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet. The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s most significant civic event.

The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day in 1970, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many countries soon adopted similar laws.

Earth Day continues to hold major international significance: In 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day as the day when the historic Paris Agreement on climate change was signed into force.

On Earth Day 2020, we seize all the tools and actions that we have, big and small, to change our lives and change our world, not for one day, but forever.

While the coronavirus may force us to keep our distance, it will not force us to keep our voices down. The only thing that will change the world is a bold and unified demand for a new way forward.

We may be apart, but through the power of digital media, we’re also more connected than ever.

On April 22, join for 24 hours of action in a global digital mobilization that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and the planet.

Over the 24 hours of Earth Day, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day will fill the digital landscape with global conversations, calls to action, performances, video teach-ins and more.

While Earth Day may be going digital, our goal remains the same: to mobilize the world to take the most meaningful actions to make a difference.

No matter where you are, you can make a difference. And you’re not alone, because together, we can save the Earth.

Visit www.earthday.org on April 22 as we build an Earth Day unlike any other — We’re flooding the digital landscape with live-streamed discussions, a global digital surge, and 24 hours of actions that you can take, right now and from wherever you are.

Earth Day 2020 will be far more than a day. It must be a historical moment when citizens of the world rise up in a united call for the creativity, innovation, ambition, and bravery that we need to meet our climate crisis and seize the enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future.

Lockdown Diary: State Bank further cuts discount rate by 2% @9%

In a sudden and surprising move, the central bank announced today to further reduce the policy rate by 200 basis points (bps) to fix it in a single digit @ 9 per cent. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan in an emergency meeting on Thursday announced the cut in the policy rate, which is the third in a row during a period of less than a month.

Pakistan Central Bank has recorded a 4.25% reduction, which is the world’s highest rate cut in response to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), said Muzammil Islam, a senior economist in his Facebook post.

“This reduces forward-looking real interest rates (defined as the policy rate less expected inflation) to around zero, which is about the middle of the range across most emerging markets,” the Monetary Policy Statement issued by SBP Thursday stated.

The MPC was of the view that this action would cushion the impact of the Coronavirus shock on growth and employment, including by easing borrowing costs and the debt service burden of households and firms, while also maintaining financial stability. It would also help ensure that economic activity is better placed to recover when the pandemic subsides.

The MPC noted the worsening outlook for global and domestic economic activity in the wake of the Corona pandemic. Given the unfolding situation, the MPC noted that it “remains ready to take whatever further actions become necessary in response to the evolving economic impact of the Coronavirus,” the statement said.

The world economy is expected to enter into the sharpest downturn since the Great Depression, contracting by as much as 3 per cent in 2020, according to projections released this week by the IMF. This is a much deeper recession than the 0.07 per cent contraction during the global financial crisis in 2009. Moreover, there are severe risks of a worse outcome, the statement said.

Despite the fact it was a longstanding demand of the traders to reduce the interest rate, this cut would affect the savings, as the profits on bank saving and terms deposits would be slashed down in the same proportion.

The traders have welcomed today’s decision of SBP.

Last time, the central bank had announced a cut in the policy rate on March 17 after a long four-year’s period by slashing 75 bps to 12.50% citing a declining inflationary pressure and a need to sustain the economy that was hit by the coronavirus crisis. This reduction was termed a meagre by the businessmen who rejected it.

Due to mounting pressure, within one week later on March 24^th the SBP again reduced the rates by 150 basis points to 11 per cent stating that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused major disruptions to economic activity and the IMF had also significantly downgraded its global growth outlook for 2020 from 3.3% growth previously to below zero.

The banks were paying over 12.5 per cent per annual interest rate on one year or more fixed/term deposits before March 17, which was reduced to 10 per cent per annum when the policy rate was reduced to 11 per cent on 24th March.

Lockdown Dairy: Is it really extended till 30th April?

Lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the entire country has been extended till April 30 and the federal cabinet approved this decision on 14^th April followed by a formal nod by the National Coordination Committee, which is a reprehensive body consisting of the federal government, all provinces and armed forces.

The current period of nationwide lockdown has expired on the 14^th.  Prime Minister Imran Khan along with his cabinet members addressed a press conference in the evening in which he said certain sectors are being opened, however, the lockdown is to continue till 30^th, especially where there are chances of gatherings.

India has also hinted at the extent of its 21-day lockdown till May 3 as the case of cornavirushttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52277096 has increased there.

Although this was a demand from the Sindh provincial government to extend the ongoing lockdown due to an increase in the cases of coronavirus in the province, the provincial government was being severely criticized by the ruling PIT and other coalition partners due to economic losses to the businessmen. Two federal ministers from PTI Ali Zaidi and Faisal Vawda spoke bluntly in the media previous days against the Sindh government.

Today two major press conferences were held in Karachi. The traders’ representatives held a press conference early this morning announcing to open up their businesses by tomorrow at all costs (by violating the government orders). However, they put off their decision for two days after the federal government’s announcement in the evening.

Another important press conference was also held at Karachi Press Club in which the so-called Ulema of all sects including Mufti Taqi Usmani, Mufti Muneebur Rehman, Shah Owais Noorani (JUP), Mohammad Hussain Mehnati (JI) and others in which they announced to end lockdowns in the mosques and start 5-time prayers from 15^th April.

Moreover, they also announced that Tarawih prayers and Itikaf will continue as per schedule during the forthcoming Holy month of Ramzan. They called on people coming to mosques to practice social distancing, come with Wuzu from homes and wear masks. Mufti Munib urged the government to not arrest people from within mosques. All those who have been arrested should be released, he said.

President Dr Arif Alvi has convened a high-level meeting of religious leaders of all sects on April 18 to discuss restrictions on religious gatherings during the lockdown. It is a matter of fact that Saudi Arabia has announced to suspension of Taraweeh during Ramzan because of the coronavirus.

The Pakistani religious leaders have been violating the government’s lockdown orders and many cases of violence and attack on police have been reported during the last two Fridays in which not only Juma congregations were held in Karachi in many parts but people resorted to violence against the law enforcement agencies in some areas. The government seems to be helpless against the religious zealots who are bent to violate the lockdown orders and instigate the general public to take laws into their hands.

Despite the persistent pressure from traders and the federal government of PTI, the Sindh government has still sustained all types of pressures and remained steadfast in its decisions to implement the lockdown. Last week, the provincial government announced to seal of 11 union councils in District East of Karachi due to more reported cases of coronavirus in those areas. This decision was not only criticised by residents of those areas, but the Supreme Court of Pakistan during its hearing of the suo moto case on the government’s measures to control coronavirus also questioned the purpose of such sealing of the residential areas.

The provincial government seems to be reluctant to succumb to any pressure from anywhere, but there is apparent ineffectiveness of the lockdown in many parts of Sindh as reports of people roaming around are coming from everywhere, especially in rural areas. A huge rush at the centres to receive Prime Minister’s coronavirus support fund is reported from many areas of interior Sindh.

In Karachi also the situation in congested areas, Katchi Abadis and Lyari is not satisfactory as people are not observing the lockdown orders and roaming around. Many people have been arrested in violation of orders and violence of police on citizens is reported on social media.

Currently all public transport is closed down, but the private cars, rickshaws and Chingchis (rickshaws carrying 8 passengers) are plying on the city’s many arrears.

Ration distribution and payment of Rs 12,000 under the PM programme have not reached all people as still a large number of people can be seen sitting at the roadsides in many areas or begging near the fruit and grocery markets.

Inefficiency, corruption and lack of essential equipment are the main reasons of non-observance of the lockdown orders in Sindh.

احفاظ الرحمان: ایک دانشورصحافی اور صحافی حقوق کے رہنما

میں ایک صاحب کردار آدمی ہوں

اور ایک صاحب کردار آدمی کی حیثیت سے

یہ چاہتا ہوں کہ جب مروں تو

میرا چہرہ سورج کی طرف ہو : احفاظ الرحمان

کینسر جیسے موذی مرض سے جنگ لڑتے ہوئے سینئر صحافی اور پاکستان فیڈرل یونین آف جرنلسٹس کے مرکزی لیڈر احفاظ الرحمان آج (12 اپريل 2020) اتوار کو دن طلوع ہونے سے پہلے اس دنیا سے کوچ کرگئے۔ وہ نا صرف ایک اچھے لکھاری تھے مگر ایک اعلی پیمانے کے شاعربھی تھے۔ ان کے گلے کے کینسر کا آپریشن ہوا تھا اورانہوں نے باقائدہ علاج سے بیماری کو شکست بھی دے دی تھی، مگراس دوران وہ کافی کمزور ہوگئے تھے جس کی وجہ سے ان کو کئی مرتبہ ہسپتال میں داخل ہونا پڑا تھا۔ اس لاک ڈائوں کے دنوں میں بھی وہ ہسپتال میں داخل ہوگئے تھے۔ صبح صبح ان کی شریک حیات مہناز رحمان کی فیس بوک پوسٹ دیکھے جس میں انہوں نے یہ افسوسناک خبر دی اور اوپر دیا گیا شعر بھی شامل کیا تھا، جس کا ایک ٹکڑہ میں نے شیئر کیا ہے۔

جب میں نے 1991 سے انگریزی صحافت میں قدم رکھا تو احفاظ صاحب کو نہیں جانتا تھا، مگر جب بھی کراچی پریس کلب میں جانا ہوتا تھا تو اکثر ان کے اشعاراورنظمیں کلب کے نوٹس بورڈ پر آویزاں دیکھتا تھا اور پڑہتا رہتا تھا۔ دوستوں نے بتایا کہ وہ جنگ اخبار میں کام کرتے ہیں۔

پھر شین – فرخ کے ساتھ مل کر انٹر پریس کمیونیکیشن (آئی پی سی) میں حصہ لینا شروع کیا تو ان کے گلشن اقبال والی صحافی کالونی کے گھر پر مہناز رحمان سے ملاقاتیں ہوئیں، اس طرح احفاظ صاحب سے بھی تعارف ہوا۔ مگر ان سے قربت تب ہوئی جب میں نے کے یو جے اور کراچی پریس کلب کی سیاست میں حصہ لینا شروع کیا۔ وہ ہمارے رہمنا تھے اوراکثر اوقات الیکشن کے دوران ہدایات دیتے تھے۔ بہت ساری میٹنگز میں میں نے ان کو کئی سینئر رہنمائوں کو ڈانٹے ہوئے بھی دیکھا تھا، اوراکثر اراکین ان سے بہت ڈرتے بھی تھے۔ مگر پریس کلب میں جو دوشخصیات مجھے بہت محبت سے ملتے تھے ان میں احفاظ صاحب اور مرحوم محمود علی اسد تھے۔

احفاظ صاحب کی ٹریڈ یونین کے لیے طویل جدوجہد ہے جس کی داستان بھی اتنی ہی طویل ہے۔ انہوں نے جنرل ضیا کی مارشل لا کے دوران آزادیء صحافت کے لیے پی ایف یو جے کی جدوجہد میں نمایاں کردار ادا کیا اور جیل بھی گئے اور ان کو بلیک لسٹ کردیا گیا جس کی وجہ سے کافی عرصے تک بے روزگاربھی رہے۔

بے نظیر بھٹو کے پہلے دور میں ان کو چائنا میں کام کرنے کا موقع ملا جہاں سے ان کی شریک حیات مہناز رحمان باقائدگی سے اخبارجہاں میں چائنا کی صورتحال پر کالم بھی لکھتی رہی ہیں۔

احفاظ صاحب ایک بڑے صحافی بھی تھے۔ پروفیشنل معاملات میں بھی میں نے سنا ہے کہ بہت سخت تھے، کام میں کوئی کوتاہی برداشت نہیں کرتے تھے۔ جنگ کے بعد جب ایکسپریس اخبار نکلا تو وہ اس کے ادارتی عملے میں شامل ہوگئے۔ ان کے کالم بھی ایکسپریس میں چھپتے تھے۔

جب ملٹری ڈکٹیٹر جنرل پرویز مشرف نے 2007 میں ملک میں ایمرجنسی لگا کر ٹی وی چینلز پر بھی پابندیاں لگائیں توانہوں نے کراچی میں صحافیوں کے احتجاج کی سربراہی کی اور کراچی پریس کلب کے سامنے پولیس کے ڈنڈے بھی کھائے اور گرفتار بھی ہوئے۔ بعد میں جب صحافیوں کو چھوڑا جارہا تھا تو انہوں نے لاک اپ سے نکلے سے انکار کردیا اور پولیس والوں سے کہا کہ جب تک آخری صحافی کو چھوڑا نہیں جاتا وہ لاک اپ سے باہر نہیں آئیں گے۔

وہ کئی کتابوں کے مصنف بھی تھے جس میں ان کی شاعری کے مجموعے بھی شامل تھے۔

مجھے احساس ہے کہ ایک فیملی کے سربراہ کے طور پر یہ ان کی فیملی کے لیے بہت بڑا نقصان ہے اور میں ہماری سول سوسائٹی کی ایک اہم ساتھی محترمہ مہناز رحمان سے اس موقع پر دلی افسوس اور تعزیت کا اظہار کرتا ہوں اوران کے درجات بلند ہونے کی دعا کرتاہوں۔ یقیناً یہ ایک بہت بڑا صحافتی نقصان بھی ہے اور اس خال کو پر کرنے میں کئی سال لگ سکتے ہیں۔

Dishonoring vulnerable

An unfortunate incident happened in village Thorhi Bijar in Drigh police station in Kamber-Shahdadkot district Tuesday (March 24) where three accused belonging to an influential landlord’s family entered into the house of a poor man Manzoor Tunio and tortured his wife Kamalaan while putting black and blue colour.

The accused also set their thatched house on fire too while injuring both husband and wife. The accused were identified as Sartaj and Sadam sons of Ranjhan Tunio and Mujahid sons of Fazal Mohammad, KTN News reporter Qadir Lashari reported on his FaceBook page.

According to people the local police and SHO of the area are supporting the criminals. Reports said the incident happened after a dispute between the son of the victim woman on a petty matter. The woman said she is not aware of the whereabouts of her son, who she apprehends might have been kidnapped by the accused. The woman is mentally shocked and under medical treatment.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of the district, Imran Qureshi reached the village and ensured the victim's provision of justice.

So far no action has been taken against the accused and police have also not registered a case against anyone.

Meanwhile, local people said that the SHO of the area Abdus Salam Chandio is supporting the accused. The SHO is said to be in the area for the last four years and local landlords and influential persons are supporting the SHO and in the reciprocating act, he always supports criminals.

Latest: DIG of Larkana ranger Irfan Ali Baloch in a FaceBook post on his page stated: “The woman named Kamala Tunio appeared at PS Drigh district Qambar n complained about maltreatment n beating by her rivals. Police have arrested the main accused Fazal Tunio. Fir is being lodged n raids r being conducted for the arrest of the rest of the accused.”

کرونا اورکرانچی والے

کراچی کے لوگ صدیوں سے انسان دوست ہیں۔ پاکستان بننے سے پہلے ہندو اور پارسیوں نے جو انسانیت کی بھلائی کے کام کیے تھے ان کے آثارآج بھی شہر کے کئی علاقوں میں موجود ہیں۔ کراچی کی آبادی میں 1947 کے بعد بے پناہ اضافہ ہوا، مگر شاید یہ اس شہرکی مٹی میں شامل ہے کہ یہاں آنے والے نئے باسیوں (شخصیات اور اداروں) نے اسی طرح آگے بڑھ کر بےشمار بھلائی کے کام کیے ہیں، جن میں اکثر کا دائرہ تو پورے ملک تک پھیلا ہوا ہے۔

وہ عبدالستارایدھی ہو، ظفرعباس یا رمضان چھیپا ہویا سیلانی ویلفیئر ہو، جے ڈی سی ہو یا عالمگیر ویلفیئر ٹرسٹ، یا پھر انڈس ہاسپیٹل یا سٹیزنز فائونڈیشن ہو، افراد و اداروں نے ہر مصیبت کی گھڑی میں کراچی کے باسیوں کی دل کھول کر امداد کی ہے۔ ملک میں اگر کوئی مصیبت آئی یہی شخصیات اورتنظیمیں ہیں جنہوں نے بڑھ چڑھ کر حصہ لیا ہے۔

خواہ 2005 کا کشمیروکے پی کے کا اندوہناک زلزلہ ہو، 2010 کا سپر سیلاب ہو، 7-2005 کا کراچی میں ہیٹ ویو ہو، کراچی کے مخیر انسانوں اور اداروں نے وقت کی حکومت سے زیادہ امداد کی ہے۔ یہ سب میرا ذاتی مشاہدہ ہے۔

پاکستان سینٹر آف فلنتھراپی کی 2015 – 2014 میں کی گئی ایک تحقیق کے مطابق سندھ کے لوگ نا صرف روپوں میں امداد کرتے ہیں ، بلکہ صوبے کے کئی مخیرافراد اپنا وقت فلاحی کاموں میں زیادہ دیتے ہیں اوروقت دینے کی یہ شرح تمام صوبوں کے مقابلے میں سندھ میں سب سے زیادہ ہے، جو کہ 48 فیصد بنتی ہے۔ البتہ روپوں میں دی گئی امداد کے تناسب میں سندھ دوسرے نمبر پر رہا، مگر یہ رقم بھی آبادی کے لحاظ سے کافی زیادہ ہے ۔

آج بھی جب پورا ملک کرونا وائرس کی وبا سے خوفزدہ ہے اور 19 مارچ تک اس وائرس میں مبتلا افرد کی تعداد 453 تک جا پہنچی ہے، سب سے زیادہ متاثر افراد میں سندھ کی افرادکی تعداد سب سے زیادہ ہے، جن میں سے اکثریت ان افراد کی ہے جو ایران زیارتوں کے لیے گئے ہوئے تھے اور واپسی میں ان کو بارڈر پر روک لیا گیا تھا۔ ایران سے آئے زائرن کو پہلے 14 دن تک تفتان بارڈر پر حکومت پاکستان کی طرف سے قائم کردہ قرنطینہ میں رکھا گیا تھا، اور اکثر متاثرین وہاں رہتے ہوئے ناقص انتظامات کی وجہ سے وائرس کا شکار ہوچکے ہیں۔جب ان افراد کا سکھر پہنچنے پر دوبارہ ٹیسٹ کیا گیا تو اکثریت کا ٹیسٹ پازیٹو نکلا۔

اس مایوس کن صورتحال میں کراچی آج بھی امداد میں آگے ہے۔ جے ڈی سی کے سربراہ ظفرعباس اج بھی سکھرشہرمیں موجود ہیں، جہاں ایران زائرین کی سب سے بڑی تعداد قرنطینہ ہسپتال میں داخل ہیں، جو کہ نئی تعمیر شدہ لیبر کالونی میں قائم کی گئی ہے۔ یہ دنیا کا سب سے بڑا تنہائی وارڈز والا سینٹر قرار دیا گیا ہے۔ ان کے علاوہ دیگر سماجی تنظیمیں بھی امدادی سامان لے کر پہنچی ہوئی ہیں۔

ادھر کراچی میں بھی کئی افراد کرونا وائرس کی وجہ سے شہرمیں قائم سرکاری و نجی ہسپتال میں زیرعلاج ہیں۔ یہ افراد ایران کے علاوہ سعودی عرب، عرب امارات، برطانیہ اور دیگر ممالک سے آئے تھے۔ کچھ افراد ایسے بھی ہیں جی کی کوئی ٹرویل ہسٹری نہیں ہے۔ سندھ حکومت نے 3 ارب روپے کی سیڈ منی پر مشتمل ایک امدادی فنڈ قائم کرلیا ہے اورمخیرافراد سے اس فنڈ میں حصہ ڈالنے کی اپیل بھی کی گئی ہے۔ شہر کی کئی مخیر شخصیات کو اس فنڈ کی شفافیت کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے شامل کیا گیا ہے۔

بہت سی کراچی کی تنظیموں نے اس وبا سے نمٹنے کے لیے کئی عملی اقدامات کا اعلان کیاہے۔ شہر میں لاک ڈائون کی صورتحال کے پیش نظردہاڑی پر کام کرنے والے مزدور سب سے زیادہ شدید مالی مشکلات کا شکار ہیں۔ انٹرسٹی ٹرانسپورٹ بند ہے، جس وجہ سے دیگر شہروں سے آمدرفت مشکل ہے، بڑے شاپنگ مالزاور مارکیٹس کو بند کرنے کا حکم دیا جاچکا ہے۔ کھانےپینے کے ہوٹل اور شادی ہال بند کردیے گئے ہیں، جہاں ہزاروں نوجوان دہاڑی پر کام کرتے ہیں۔ شہرمیں چلنے والی دو پرائیویٹ ایپ بیسڈ ٹرانسپورٹ کمپنیزںے شہر میں اپنا آپریشن ملتوی کردیا ہے۔ اس علاوہ فیکٹریوں اور دکانوں میں کام کرنے والے لاکھوں مزدورخواتین و حضرات کا روزگار شدید متاثر ہواہے، اور ان کے خاندان فاقہ کشی کا سامنا کرہے ہیں۔ اس صورتحال میں صوبائی حکومت نے متاثر خاندانوں میں ایک مہینے کا راشن تقسیم کرنے کا اعلان تو کیا ہے، مگرصوبائِی حکومت کی خراب حکمرانی کی صورتحال میں یہ امداد متاثرین تک کیسے پہنچے گی ، یہ سب زیادہ تشویش ناک ہے۔ ایسے میں کئی سماجی تنظیموں نے جن میں اخوت بھی شامل ہے نے روزانہ اجرت پر کام کرنے والے مزدوروں کی امداد کا اعلان کیا ہے، جو کہ حوصلہ افزا ہے۔

سندھ میں سکھرکے علاوہ حیدرآباد و دیگر شہروں میں بھی وائرس کے متاثرین سامنے آرہے ہیں اور امید ہے کہ یہ امدادی ادارے ان کے مسائل کے حل میں بھی موثر کردار ادا کریں گے۔

ليبر ڪالونيون يا ايمرجنسي ڪيمپون؟

سنڌ حڪومت وڏي فخر سان اعلان ڪيو آهي، ته هن چين ۾ 10 ڏينهن اندر قائم ٿيل ڪرونا ڪيمپ کان به تمام ٿوري وقت ۾ دنيا جي سڀ کان وڏي ڪرونا جي وبا جي علاج ۽ تصديق ٿيل مريضن کي ڌار رکڻ لاءِ 2048 بسترن تي ٻڌل هڪ اسپتال سکر ۾ قائم ڪري ورتي آهي

ايران کان آيل سنڌ سان تعلق رکندڙزيارت لاءِ ويل پانڌيئڙن کي شروع ۾ وفاقي سرڪار طرفان بلوچستان جي تفتان بارڊر وٽ قائم شده ڪرونا جي قرطينيا ڪيمپ ۾ رکيو ويو هئو، جن کي 14 ڏينهن گذرڻ بعد سنڌ ۾ موڪليو ويو هئو. پر سکر ۾ انهن جي ٻيهر ٽيسٽ ڪئي وئي جنهن مان انهن جي هڪ وڏي انگ کي ڪرونا وائرس جي بيماري ظاهر ٿي. سنڌ حڪومت موجب ايران کان آيلن سميت ڪل 88 ڪرونا کان متاثر ماڻهو ظاهر ٿيا آهن. انهن مان اڪثريت کي سکر جي ان اسپتال ۾ رکيو ويو آهي. جڏهن ته ڪجھ اهڙا مريض ڪراچي جي مختلف سرڪاري اسپتالن ۾ قائم اڪيلائي وارڊن ۾ داخل ڪيا ويا آهن

سکر جي ان اڪيلائي وارن وارڊن تي ٻڌل اسپتال بابت تفصيل پڙهڻ کان پوءِ معلوم ٿيو ته اها ايمرجنسي اسپتال ويجھڙ ۾ مڪمل ٿيل 1000 فليٽن تي ٻڌل ليبرڪالوني ۾ قائم ڪئي وئي آهي، جنهن ۾ موجود فليٽ مزدورن کي اڃا تائين الاٽ نه ٿي سگھيا آهن

اهڙي اسپتال قائم ڪرڻ تي بظاهرهڪ تمام سٺو قدم آهي، پر ايترن بسترن ۽ وينٽيليٽرن کي هلائڻ ۽ سنڀالن لاءِ تمام گھڻي تعداد ۾ عملو ۽ ڊاڪٽرکپندا، جيڪي ڪٿان ايندا؟ اهوهڪ اهم سوال آهي جنهن جي جواب جي اڃا خبر ڪانهي

سنڌ ۾ مختلف علائقن ۾ قائم ليبر ڪالونيون ڪيتري عرصي کان مڪمل ٿيل آهي، مگر ڪن اڻ ڄاڻايل سببن جي ڪري مزدورن جي حوالي نه ٿي سگھيون آهن. اهي ڪالونيون ماضي ۾ پڻ امدادي ڪيمپن طور استعمال ٿينديون رهن ٿيون. صوبائي ليبر اينڊ هيومين ريسورسز کاتو ورڪرز ويلفيئر فنڊ مان اهي ليبر ڪالوني جوڙائيندو آهي، جيڪي کاتي سان رجسٽر ٿيل مزدورن ۾ قرعي اندازي وسيلي ڏنيون وينديون آهن. سرڪار ليبر ڪالونين ۾ گھر ڏيڻ لاءِ اخبارن ۾ اشتهار ڏيندي آهي

سن 2010 جي مها ٻوڏ دوران اتر سنڌ جي ڪيترن ئي ضلعن مان ٻوڏ متاثر سنڌ جي وڏن شهرن جهڙوڪ ڪراچي ۽ حيدرآباد ۾ آندا ويا هئا ۽ کين صوبائي سرڪار طرفان سرڪاري زمينن تي قائم ڪيمپن ۾ رهايو ويو هئو. ڪراچي ۾ به ٻوڏ متاثرين جو هڪ وڏو انگ آيو هئو، جن کي شهر جي مختلف علائقن ۾ قائم سرڪاري ڪيمپن ۾ ترسايو ويو. ڪجھ ٻوڏ متاثر سپر هاءِ وي ڀرسان ءِ ڪجھ ٻين علائقن ۾ قائم پرائيويٽ ڪمپن ۾ پڻ ترسيا هئا جتي ڪجھ خيراتي ادارن سندن امداد ڪئي هئي

ٻوڏ متاثرين جو هڪ وڏو انگ (تقريبا 10،000) گڏاپ ٽائون ۾ قائم هڪ سرڪاري ليبرڪالوني ۾ پڻ ترسايو ويوهئو. گلشن معمار ڀرسان قائم ان ليبر اسڪائر ۾ 1000 کن فليٽ آهن. توڙي جو اها ڪالوني ان وقت به مڪمل هئي پر ان ۾ موجود فليٽ ڪنهن به مزدور کي اڃا الاٽ ڪونه ڪيا ويا هئا

اهي ٻوڏ متاثر ڊسمبر 2016 تائين ان ڪيمپ ۾ رهيا پر پوءِ کين زوري اتان اٿاريو ويو، چاڪاڻ ته ليبر ڊپارٽمينٽ وارن کي خوف ورائي ويوهئو ته اهي ٻوڏ متاثر انهن فليٽن تي مستقل قبضو نه ڪري ويهن

پر ايتروعرصو گذرڻ جي باوجود ليبر ڪالوني گڏاپ جا اهي فليٽ اڃا تائين خالي پيا آهن. شايد ڪنهن ٻي آفت جي انتظار ۾ آهن

Aurat Azadi March 2020

“I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”

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The world is observing International Women’s Day on March 8 to recognize the importance of gender equality in every sphere of life.

This year (2020) is important as the United Nations is also observing the silver jubilee of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action held in China in 1995. This year’s theme of International Women’s Day is: “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.

Pakistan had actively taken part in the Beijing Women’s Conference and then Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had taken part in this important conference.

In her address at the Beijing conference on September 4, 1995, Benazir Bhutto clearly emphasized the importance of women, especially in a Muslim society.

“Freedom of choice alone does not guarantee justice. Equal rights are not defined only by political values. Social justice is a triad of freedom, equality, of liberty: Justice is political liberty. Justice is economic independence. Justice is social equality,” she stated in Beijing.

Aurat Azadi March

“Mera Jism Meri Marzi” was one of the prominent slogans in the Aurat Azadi March (Women Freedom March) last year when women observed International Women’s Day in major cities of the country by taking out marches in major cities. Although there were many other slogans for women’s rights which were also termed objectionable, the slogan “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” received a severe lashing. It also raised the eyebrows of many in Pakistan as religious leaders and right-wing political party leaders objected to such slogans. They, not only criticised the women organisers of the March in TV programmes, but they hurled threats at many in public places.

Many such influential males with the narrow-mindedness of patriarch, misogyny and toxic masculinity severely criticized the women leaders in their seminars and social media posts, some others termed the march an “NGOs’ Agenda”. Some more zealots went to the courts to stop Aurat March. The Lahore High Court, however, dismissed such a petition. The federal and provincial governments have clearly allowed the march.

In Sindh, the Women Action Forum and many other women’s and human rights organisations have announced to hold of Aurat Marches in Sukkur and Karachi. The Sukkur March has received severe censure. The extreme-right wing religious-cum-political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) is on top of the political parties opposing the women's march in Sukkur. Jamat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema Pakistan (Noorani group) have also supported the JUI stance. But JUI central leader Maulana Rashid Mehmood Soomro hurled threats in a public rally and asked its workers to stop the Sukkur rally. These threats received severe criticism on social media from rights activists and human rights organisations. Later, Soomro telephoned one of the organisers of the Sukkur March Dr. Arfana Mallah and assured them that his party would not oppose the activity.

However on the next day, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman addressed a rally in Karachi, apparently against price-hike, but in that rally, he severely criticized the Aurat March and later a twit was posted on his official account stating that his party “would not allow any act against Quran, Sunnah and traditions in the name of human rights.”

Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has openly supported the Aurat March and its central leadership has asked the provincial government to ensure the security of the marches in Karachi and Sukkur.

The Sindh PTI’s President Haleem Adil Shaikh, however, has opposed the Aurat Azadi March and demanded the government stop it. In a Facebook post, he termed it “an attempt to distort the image of Pakistani women.” His statement was also criticised on social media.

Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari has supported the Women’s March and condemned any attempt to stop the activities.

The Aurat Azadi March further came into the limelight when in a live TV show on March 3 on a not-so-popular Neo TV channel the famous playwright Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar used abusive language against the woman activist and writer Marvi Sarmad. The playwright objected to the slogan “Mera Jism Meri Merzi”, but he used very objectionable language to banish the woman rights activist.

This onslaught against women was severely criticised on both electronic and social media. On the next day, some other TV channels again invited Qamar, but he refused to apologise for his yesterday’s words. The women rights activists are demanding a complete ban on his appearance in TV programmes and on his dramas.

Although women rights activists are ready to proceed to hold Aurat March in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Sukkur, there are apprehensions that the march may be disturbed by the right-wing political parties and groups who are openly opposing the event.

Thai monks in Pakistan for World Peace

A group of Buddhist monks from a monastery in Thailand on a mission “walk for world peace” will leave Karachi for Turkey today evening as they visited some Pakistani cities to spread the message of peace. Entered Lahore through the Wagah border from India these Buddhist marchers were initially to go to Iran, but due to the Coronavirus threat, the Pakistan-Iran border has been closed down, so they are now going directly to Turkey via air, their next destination after Iran.

Draped in the traditional maroon robes of monks, these Buddhist preachers are on a mission to spread the message of Lord Buddha in the world.

In Pakistan, besides Lahore, these eight monks, who were invited by Thailand Embassy, also visited Sukkur, Hyderabad, Khuzdar and Karachi. However, Pakistani security authorities did not allow them to walk on the streets of any Pakistani city due to “security reasons.”

These innocent and poor Monks expressed their sadness with some local friends in Karachi saying:  “Police vehicles were surrounding to our all sides everywhere and they did not allow us to walk on streets.”

Initiated first by a Thai monk Sutham Nateetong, who had walked over 5000 kilometres from Thailand to the United States to promote peace, the other Buddhist walkers joined him on his second leg of the “walk for world peace”. Drawn from different parts of Thailand these Monks started their journey from Myanmar and also visited Vietnam, Laos, Nepal and India.

Watch Video Click Here

They crossed the Indian border by foot, but then they were put in vehicles by the Pakistani Embassy of Thailand.

In Karachi, the Thai Consulate General had arranged their stay in a private guest house in the Bath Island area. Some of the Monks incidentally met with a few Pakistani meditators, who practice Vipassana, a Buddhist meditation system from Maynmar teacher S. N. Goenka. The Karachi friends invited Thai Monks to some private gatherings. They also arranged their visit to the National Museum of Pakistan, where they, with great interest, found the relics of Buddhism periods in different galleries of the museum. They were delighted to see different size well-preserved Buddha sculptures in the museum.

They said they wanted to see Buddhist sites like Taxila and Swat in Pakistan but they did not get permission to go there.

They were also happy to see that many Pakistanis are practising meditations for their inner peace and overall peace of the world.

A video recorded by me Click Here

I fail to understand why when the Pakistan government is promoting tourism, especially religious tourism, then why they put such strict vigilance and restrictions and they did not allow them to walk on the streets. In Pakistan only Sikhs are the single blue-eyed religious minority for the security establishment, the followers of other religions are suspected.

A similar type of treatment was experienced by us when last week some Nepalese peace activists visited Karachi on account of the international peace march “Jai Jagat”. They also faced similar restrictions and the security agencies chased them everywhere. In Hyderabad, they were not allowed to visit the University of Sindh Jamshoro due to “security reasons.”

Although the Thai Buddhist Monks were happy to meet with Pakistani peace activists, they wish to visit again to see the Buddhist historical places in the Northern part of Pakistan.

Corona Virus in Pakistan

Since Wednesday evening, Pakistan, especially its largest city, Karachi, which is also the commercial capital of the country, is in a grip of fear of the deadly Coronavirus. The government announced the diagnosis of two patients affected by Coronavirus, one each in Karachi and Islamabad.

The provincial Sindh government has further added to the fear among common people as the provincial government announced the closure of all the schools across the province for remaining two days of the week (Thursday and Friday). TV channels have further created a scare among kids and families due to news of school closures. The Balochistan government which has already closed down the border with Iran has also announced the closure of schools in the province till March 15. There is an emergency in border districts of Balochistan and Special Assitant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza held a press conference along with Balochistan Chief Minister on the coronavirus issue on Wednesday evening.

The profiteers in Karachi are exploiting the situation as medical masks have disappeared from the city’s medical stores and those sellers are charging a heavy price for each mask. Although it has become our national character that in case of emergencies traders try to swindle money through hook and crook and hoardings. We just saw it last week when in the Keamari area 14 people lost their lives due to the release of a mysterious toxic gas and marks became costly in the area.

Although only one case of Coronavirus has been reported in Karachi, who had reportedly arrived by air at Karachi airport from Iran on 20th February and is not under treatment in Aga Khan Hospital, there is a widespread scare due to the non-availability of healthcare facilities in Sindh including special isolation wards in the government hospitals.

The Sindh government has announced to set up an Emergency Centre (whose phones seldom work), but no special isolation ward is identified in any government hospital in the city. According to media reports, isolation wards are already available in three major government hospitals including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Civil Hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and a costly private Aga Khan Hospital.

On Thursday the provincial cabinet met and decided to form a task force on coronavirus.

Photo courtesy: dawn.com

After the emergency meeting on Thursday morning the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in a press conference said that over 1,500 people have been identified who had returned from Iran or had come into contact with those coming from Iran and later entered Sindh in the past 15 days. Those 15,00 people would be tested and if suspected some symptoms would be kept in quarantine for treatment and observation.

There are improper and inadequate arrangements at the airports in Pakistan for testing any patients of coronavirus. All those who arrived from Iran on 20th February along with the affected patient of Karachi were allowed to leave to homes without checking.

Pakistan has very poor healthcare facilities to meet such types of intense emergencies. In the Larkana district, last year hundreds of cases of HIV positive were detected and the provincial government failed to test or provide medical facilities to those patients, despite the fact the World Health Organisation (WHO) provided assistance in this regard. After the WHO campaign, those patients don’t receive any medical help.

Similarly, the country faced a shortage of rabies vaccines and many deaths were reported due to rabies in Sindh but the provincial government seemed inept to provide the vaccinations in even every district hospital. The local government bodies are unable to kill stray dogs.

But handling Coronavirus is a big challenge for the health ministry of Sindh as after the 18th Amendment in the Constitution, health has become a provincial subject and the government has no capacity and capability.

The official Emergency numbers are not working: A video by a social worker of JDC

The health experts have been issuing only preventive advice, which also included keeping hygiene and washing hands with soap frequently.

The coronavirus, which started in China at the end of last year has spread over many countries. European developed countries Italy and neighbouring Iran have reported multiple deaths and hundreds of infected patients due to this endemic disease. Iran has also no quality healthcare facilities and due to restrictions on the media correct figures are not arriving in the media. Similar is the situation in China, from where only official data is released.

No vaccination or antibiotic is available anywhere in the world to prevent or treat this virus, which is said to be transferred in human beings from animals in Wuhan city in China.

Given the healthcare situation in Pakistan and the non-availability of effective treatment of infectious diseases, there is widespread fear among the population, even though the mortality ratio is quite lower (about 2 per cent) in this virus.

So please don’t panic but take preventive measures, avoid going to busy places and use tissues or handkerchiefs in case of sneezing or coughing. God bless all humanity!