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۔

Buckling under pressure

Originally published in The News on Sunday, May 17, 2020

Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced a gradual lifting of the countrywide lockdown from the coming week. The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Islamabad on May 7 to review the impact of Covid-19 on the country’s already weak economy. The PM’s emphasis was mainly on providing benefits to small traders and daily wage workers suffering economic losses due to the preventive lockdown.

Since then, the provincial governments have allowed a conditional easing of the lockdown, asking traders to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) formulated by the authorities. The SOPs include wearing of masks, using hand sanitisers and keeping a safe distance to avoid the spread of the virus.

In Sindh and the Punjab, the businesses and shopping centres are now to open for general public from 9am to 5pm, four days a week. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the businesses are to remain closed and the lockdown in place. The governments have warned that in case of violation of the SOPs, the relaxation may be reversed.

This seemingly abrupt decision to open markets amid growing cases of Covid-19 has worried medical practitioners, who have been demanding continuation of the lockdown for another couple of weeks.

On Wednesday (third day of lockdown relaxation), the government-released data of Covid-19 cases indicated the single largest daily jump in confirmed coronavirus cases with 2,255 new cases bringing the total number of infected people to 34,231 with a total of over 700 deaths.

Massive crowds and open flouting of the SOPs was witnessed at congested shopping centres in downtown Saddar area in Karachi. On Wednesday afternoon, the District South administration had to seal Zainab Market, the famous shopping centre known for selling garments, and Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, where imported textiles and other items are sold.

In Lahore, the provincial government warned shopkeepers to follow the SOPs failing which easing of restrictions would be withdrawn.

On the first day of the relaxation (Monday), people were seen with children riding on bikes in Karachi while others were sitting very close to one another in rickshaws without any precaution, says Dr Sher Shah Sayed of the Pakistan Medical Association, Sindh.

A group of concerned citizens including professional doctors, civil society and women rights activists held a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday and demanded that the government re-impose the lockdown. Earlier, doctors’ bodies in all four provinces had warned the government not to ease the lockdown as the virus spread had reached an alarming level in Pakistan. Even though the death rate is still low in Pakistan, the healthcare services in Pakistan are already scant and testing facilities are limited to major cities.

The government had been under immense pressure from various quarters, including the powerful business community, to ease the lockdown as shopping activity ahead of Eid ul Fitr would be affected. The gradual lifting of lockdown was an attempt to release that pressure. However, this poses grave risks to public health.

Workers have faced a big squeeze in their earnings as many industries have started letting go of their workers, most of whom were employed on short-notice contracts. These unemployed workers are desperately looking forward to the opening of industries. Some industries, especially factories producing export textiles, have started their operations.

In the last week of March, the federal government had announced an emergency relief cash grant to lockdown-affected poor in the country. The scheme under the PTI-government’s flagship Ehsaas programme provided an amount of Rs 12,000 to each registered citizen divided over three months. According to the Ehsaas programme website, the government has distributed an amount of Rs 91.611 billion among 7.512 million beneficiaries so far. An overwhelming majority of workers has thus remained deprived because they were unable to fulfill the stringent conditions attached to qualifying for the scheme.

According to the latest Labour Force Survey (2017-18), the total workforce of the country is more than 65.5 million. The beneficiaries of this special scheme are therefore only 11.5 per cent of the total workforce. The prime minister had earlier admitted that the data of informal or daily wage workers was not available which is why his government was not able to reach the entire workforce.

Workers’ bodies have demanded unemployment allowance under the universalisation of social security. Currently, 58 million workers out of 65.5 million are registered with the government’s social security institutions, including Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), according to data compiled by an Islamabad-based research institute, the Centre for Labour Research.

Economic experts believe that the pandemic has hit Pakistan’s economy hard. The IMF has already predicted that the overall GDP growth rate by the end of the current fiscal year would be 1.5 per cent as against State Bank’s projection of around 3 per cent. However, some economists say the coronavirus pandemic has also provided a cushion to provide a substantial relief to the people.

Dr Shahid Hassan Siddiqui, chairman of the Research Institute for Islamic Banking and Finance, says that because of reduction in oil prices and stabilisation of currency rate, the balance of trade and current account deficit have eased out. The IMF and Asian Development Bank have provided Covid-19 economic package and it is expected that inflation would be further reduced and imports would come down during the coming months.

He says that to provide relief to the poor the government may print currency notes worth Rs 300 billion and distribute it among the poor. This should be in addition to the amount the government is distributing under the Ehsaas programme. Dr Siddiqui says that such distribution would generate economic activity and the overall economy may revive by September this year. 

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The writer is a senior journalist currently working as a development communication professional in Karachi

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.

Locust attack: Pakistan may face food shortage this year

Last year swarms of locusts had attacked many parts of Sindh and other parts of the country by the end of May and destroyed about 15% of the standing crops. The locust initially came from Iran and other Gulf Arabian countries via Balochistan. They spread over upper Sindh’s districts and also in some areas of Southern Punjab. The areas right from the Nara Desert in Khairpur district in Sindh to the Cholistan Desert in Rahimyar Khan, the Punjab province attacked crops. In Sindh districts like Sanghar, Umerkot, and Tharparkar were also hit hard by locust swarms.

Sindh government raised hue and cry and sought support from the federal government in a vain.

Finally, the federal government had to declare a “national emergency” on January 31, 2020, to eliminate the attacking swarms of the desert locust, which have destroyed crops on a larger scale. The federal government had also approved a National Action Plan (NAP) with an estimated allocation of PKR 7.3 billion to overcome the crisis.

But this year the swarms have come to Sindh quite early (in April) with severe intensity and according to reports the locusts may completely destroy the cotton crop in the affected districts, as the crop was in its initial stage. It seems if the swarms are destroyed the farmers have to sow the crop late again to save their production, experts say.

This year, the locust attack is so severe and widespread that the farmers fear the country may face a famine line situation.

So far 35% of the total area affected by locust attack is in Sindh, said the provincial minister for Agriculture Ismail Rahu at a press briefing on May 5, 2020. “This is an emergency situation that needs immediate attention,” he said.

The photo was taken from the wall of Meghwal Malji

According to the United Nation’s agency Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) at a 25% damage level, the total potential losses are estimated to be about PKR 353 billion (USD 2.2 billion) for the Rabi crops, and about PKR 464 billion (USD 2.9 billion) for Kharif crops.

The Sindh government has been complaining to the federal government for not cooperating in combating the locusts’ attacks. Sindh government needed aircraft from the federal government for pesticide sprays, but Minister Rahu complained that the federal government was not providing aircraft despite the fact the provincial government had agreed to provide fuel for those machines.

Instead, the central government provided aircraft to the Punjab government for spraying on locust swarms. Last year even a special aircraft used for spraying the vast areas in Southern Punjab was crushed and two persons, the pilot, and aircraft engineer were killed.

This is an alarming situation for a country like Pakistan, which is quite self-sufficient in food production, but in the midst of the additional impacts of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Pandemic) the health, livelihoods, food security and nutrition are under threats, which may impact the most vulnerable communities and populations of Pakistan. An FAO report has suggested that it is imperative to contain and successfully control the desert locust infestation.  

The FAO claimed that in 2019, the Pakistan government’s Department of Plant Protection (DPP), and Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MFSR) surveyed an area of 932,580 hectares and treated 300,595 hectares in three provinces, consuming 150,839 litres of pesticides. Of the hectares treated, 20,300 hectares were cleared by aerial spraying.

But this massive operation to kill the locusts seemed to be futile as this year’s attack is so massive in upper Sindh and Southern Punjab that it is feared that most of the cotton crop would be damaged.

Eating locusts

Last year social media was amused with the reports and video clips of people making Biryanis of Locusts in various parts of Sindh.  According to a news report in Thar’s Chhachharo area, restaurants were selling biryanis and curry dishes made from locusts.

Even in a lighter mode, Sindh Agriculture Minister Ismail Rahu suggested a “bizarre solution” to fight locust manifestation by asking the people to cook the insects and enjoy delicious dishes made with locusts.

In Arab countries, people are still fond of eating fried locusts which they serve with rice but the insect dishes in this part of the Sub-Continent are mostly not popular. Even in Sindh people have stopped eating them.

Even some people started asking questions from religious scholars whether eating locusts are Halal or Haram. According to a scholar, locusts are Halal and can be eaten if people wish.

Pakistan's predicament

Karachi, January 3, 2017

After US President Donald Trump's tweet on the first day of New Year 2018, the US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on the following day (Tuesday) that the United States was withholding $255 million in aid to Pakistan because of its failure to cooperate fully in America’s fight against terrorism. It also added that more economic and military sanctions against Pakistan are in the pipeline and to be announced within 48 hours.

Pakistan actively took part in the 1979 US mission to oust the former USSR from Afghanistan. Then after Geneva Accord in 1988, Pakistan was abandoned and faced US sanctions in the form of the famous Pressler Amendment (to the US Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) of 1961). It stated that no military or technology equipment was to be provided to Pakistan unless the US president certified that Pakistan did not “possess” a nuclear explosive device and that the assistance provided by America would “reduce significantly the risk that Pakistan will possess a nuclear explosive device”.

Those sanctions were further tightened and multiplied in 1998 when Pakistan test-fired nuclear bombs in May 28.

Then suddenly Pakistan acquired importance after the 9/11 incidents in 2001 under the so-called "War on Terror" as Pakistan offered itself as a front-line state. Pakistan received huge foreign exchange in form of US Dollars as compensation for providing many airports for NATO force's airstrikes and use of its roads for supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Then in 2012, suddenly the US finds Osama Bin Laden was in Abbottabad and killed him, thus relationships between US and Pakistan become stressed as Pakistan termed the action as an intrusion in its sovereignty. Pakistan put behind bars Dr. Shakeel Afridi who allegedly supported the USA through a fake Polio campaign to verify the DNA test of the fugitive terrorist head of Al-Qaeda hiding in Abbottabad.

The US-Pakistan relationship further deteriorated after the withdrawal of the NATO forces by end of 2014 and since then Pakistan is again facing US sanctions. The USA withheld the due money to be paid as reimbursement under Coalition Support Fund and now the US says Pakistan had double-crossed. It can be implied that the US is a very innocent and novice state, which remained a fool (as admitted by General Trump in his famous New Year tweet) for years and continued supplying money to Pakistan without any realization.

Although, it is really very difficult to predict the next move of Pakistan to register its reaction as the key National Security Committee with representations from both the federal cabinet and Army has asked to defer the reaction of Pakistan to US President Trump's tweet, the US is aggressively threatening to Pakistan of further economic sanctions. Now the joint session of the Parliament would issue a reaction to Trump's tweet as it has been convened on Thursday. The NSC decision is appreciated by Pakistanis on the social media and in the newspapers. Dawn wrote an editorial on Wednesday appreciating the decision. It stated: "Yet, a hostile, threatening comment by a US president cannot simply be ignored, and Pakistan’s political and military leaderships did the right thing by meeting to discuss a joint civil-military response."

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 4: Taraweeh & stubborn Mullahs

Today I was watching on TV where the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi was addressing a press conference after a mammoth meeting with religious leaders from across the country and reading out 20- point agenda regarding offerings of Taraweeh during the ensuing Holy month of Ramazan. Thus the government has allowed such non-Faraz prayers during Ramazan, despite the fact Farz prayers are restricted these days.

The main crux of his speech after the meeting with religious clerics was the government would allow these religious congregations with certain conditionalities, which are, in fact, not fit in any case, to the SOPs to avoid social distances in large gatherings.

Source: dawn.com

It is a pity that religious elements in the country have been pressurizing and blackmailing the governments to impose their views and alter government decisions. We have been watching the full of violent stage theatres on TV screens every Friday when despite the strict ban the Friday congregations are held with crowds attending everywhere in the country and the government seems helpless. Even on the first Friday after the official lockdown, the unruly mobs of religious zealots attacked police parties in Liaqatabad Karachi that tried to prevent the holding of the congregation in order to implement the rule of law. On the second Friday the religious zealots attacked a lady police officer in Orangi town in Karachi. The religious leaders of some mosques are facing cases, even under anti-terrorism law on violations of government orders and attacks on Police personnel.

Last Friday, the media was full of pictures of a huge gathering at the famous Lal Masjid in Islamabad near Aabpara, where a large number of faithful attended Juma prayers without any resistance from the state’s law enforcement agencies. Even one can see in the pictures a guard was standing alert in plainclothes with a sophisticated Kalashnikov rifle in his hand, apparent for guarding the Friday prayers gathering in violation of the lockdown orders.

Today’s announcement by the head of the state was, in fact, a slap on the face of the government, which has always succumbed to pressures from religious parties.

At first religious pilgrims from Iran and Saudi Arabia caused the spread of coronavirus in Pakistan, then came Tablighis from Raiwand, who are still being diagnosed coronavirus positive across the country. Even yesterday in Ghotki town in upper Sindh over 90 Tablighis were found positive after the testing. Results for more tests are still awaited.

It is a matter of fact that Saudi Arabia, which is considered the leader of the Muslim world because all important religious pilgrimage places are located there, has announced its coronavirus policy regarding the holding of Taraweeh during the Holy month of Ramazan and asked the faithful to offer their prayers at homes. Yesterday, during a Zoom conference call a friend of mine from Saudi Arabia told us that there is strict implementation of lockdowns and in case of violation heavy fines are imposed. There is a 24-hour strict lockdown on holy places across Saudi Arabia, but in some other cities, there is relaxation during the daytime. His area was also included in the relaxed lockdown.

Here in Pakistan, our religious leaders are adamant to hold prayer gatherings at all costs. Religious gatherings have already proved to be prone to the spread of coronavirus and churches, temples and synagogues are closed down all over the world.

Our religious leaders are so “Hypocrites” that even one of the top Muftis was saying in a TV programme that there are different conditions in Saudi and Pakistan and “we are not obliged to follow Saudi traditions,” a blatant lie by a religious leader as people of his sect have been following the laws and rules given by Saudi Arabia in their preaching and even many of that school of thought have been receiving money from Saudi Arabia on many occasions. Their religious schools (Madressah) are regularly funded by Saudi Arabia.

There should be no “ifs and buts” for following the lockdown orders of the Pakistan government and Taraweeh should not be allowed at any cost. These special prayers during Ramzan are considered Nawafil (optional) prayers, which were, some experts say, not proved during the life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

Click for listening to Dr. Javed Ghamidi on YouTube

According to the noted religious scholar Javed Ghamdi, the Holy Prophet was offering Tahajud prayers for longer durations during the nights of Ramzan. According to him, Tahajud was Farz on only Holy Prophet (PBUH) and He was offering it in his private place (Hujrah).

Only once in Ramazan the Holy Prophet (PBUH) offered Tahajud out of his Hujrah and offered it in Masjid-e-Nabvi. Some Sahaba (RA) requested the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that they be allowed to offer Tahajud with him. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had made it clear that it is not “Farz” for the rest of Muslims, but they can recite Holy Quran during the month of Ramazan. According to him, Witre in Isha prayers is in fact Tahajud (which is said to be Wajib). There are conflicts regarding the number of Rakaats in Taraweeh.

Another religious scholar of the Sunni sect Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza has said there are four names of Tahajud: Qayamul Lail, Tahjud, Witre and Taraweeh.

 

Despite the fact Taraweeh may be offered in Ramazan but there should be no excuse to compromise on human health to hold congregations of Taraweeh at any cost. The Mullahs should be told categorically.

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 Diary: People ignore Sindh govt.’s warning

Today was the first day after the federal as well as provincial Sindh government had notified relaxation in the coronavirus lockdown in Karachi on Tuesday. After approval of the cabinet and National Coordination Committee, the Prime Minister announced to the extension of the lockdown in the entire country with relaxation to certain industries and trades including export-oriented and construction industries.

However, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at a press conference on Wednesday announced making the lockdown more stringent, as more cases of coronavirus are reported and deaths are increasing. One can witness that there was a hustle and bustle on the main roads and shopping centres in many areas of Karachi.

As a major thoroughfare of our area, Prof. Ghafoor Ahmed road in Gulistan-e-Jauhar was still sealed at Jauhar Chowrangi and then at Kamran Chowrangi, so we have to limit our shopping activities between these two landmarks in the area. However, access to the main University Road, a major exit point is still available from side lanes and from the main Block 2 road, so one can buy essential items like fruits, vegetables and groceries from the Mosamiyat area very easily.

Today the traffic on the main University Road was more than the previous days of the lockdown, however, a little less than the usual days. As the universities are closed down and other markets and restaurants are still shut the usual hustle was also missing on the main thoroughfares. The shops like hair-cut salons and bakeries have started opening up.

Very startling news was published in today’s daily The News International with the headline “Why are Karachi’s hospitals getting more DOAs, near-death patients?” has created a panic-like situation on social media as the story states that during the last few weeks over 300 patients who were already dead or extremely sick and died on arrival (DOA). The specialists suspected that these were “most probably COVID pneumonia” cases.

“The examination of the X-ray of the deceased woman revealed that there was a large patch on her lungs, which indicated that she was suffering from some kind of lower respiratory tract illness,” revealed the doctor on emergency duty, the story stated.

The story by senior journalist M. Waqar Bhatti has given the impression that such a large number of deaths of DOAs are indicating that the virus is causing “unreported” deaths, thus the number of deceased is more than the reported cases by the government. The Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Cente (JPMC) Seemi Jamail, however, denied the report.

This fact was also indicated by the Chief Minister in his press conference in the afternoon. According to him known deaths, where the patient tests positive and they die, are so far 41 in Sindh. “There are some deaths we feel are due to Covid-19 but they have not been confirmed,” he stated.

Syed Murad Ali Shah said that he had tried to convince the federal government yesterday not to open certain businesses like barbershops, engineering industries and workshops. He announced that barber shops would remain closed in Sindh and certain industries are being allowed to operate with certain conditions. They have to follow strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and with prior permission from the Sindh government.

The Chief Minister made it clear that citizens should refrain from thinking that the lockdown for the next two weeks had been eased. “It is a stricter lockdown. There are just a few exceptions.”

The Sindh government has taken serious measures since the start of lockdown in the province on 23^rd March butthere is a lot of resistance from various sections of the society especially the business community as well religious leaders.

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۔