Misery of flood victims

THE government might be vocal in its claims to have gone all out in providing relief to the flood victims in Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP but the general impression that has gained ground is that not enough is being done to alleviate the sufferings of those affected by the monsoon rains, cyclones and floods. This may partly be due to the fact that the electronic media’s attention has been riveted on other exciting events taking place in the country. That does not, however, exonerate the failure to respond sufficiently to the crisis created by this year’s monsoon disaster. If the opposition has been vociferous in attacking the government for not doing enough, it is not surprising. Reports from independent sources also confirm that relief has not reached everyone in need of assistance. Given the massive scale of the disaster — 324 people killed, 224 people missing, 80,000 houses destroyed and 2.5 million people rendered homeless — one would have expected a speedy and effective response from the authorities. More than a month after the first cyclone struck the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan followed by rains and floods, hundreds of thousands of people are still marooned in camps and over 700,000 do not even have potable water. Epidemics, especially of water-borne diseases, malaria and dengue fever, loom large on the horizon threatening further loss of lives.

The authorities’ failure in respect of disaster response and relief management cannot be condoned. It reflects the poor state of the governance of the regime that has not yet learnt to handle the exigencies of the weather, especially in respect of phenomena such as rains, floods and storms that are not something new to our region. This is perplexing especially now when new technology has made meteorological forecasting so accurate. Our strategy appears to centre round the principle of ‘wait and hope for the best and respond when disaster strikes’. Now that calamity has struck, the authorities are failing in their duty to provide quick and effective relief. The political will seems to be missing. It is time the government put its act together. The fledgling Natural Disaster Management Authority needs to become more proactive in its functions as a coordinator. The need is to prioritise the emergency measures that must be taken. Obviously, providing food, drinking water, shelter and medical aid should be on top of the list. The foremost aim should be to save lives. Rehabilitation will come next after the flood waters have receded.

It is difficult to lend credence to the government’s move to conveniently absolve itself of all responsibilities by describing the calamity as a natural disaster which cannot be prevented. It is true that the floods this year which have affected the whole of South Asia, parts of China and also Britain, are a result of the climate change phenomenon brought about by the global abuse of the environment. That calls for long-term measures on the international level and Pakistan may not be able to help much, except by doing its own bit in terms of environmental protection. This may not be the occasion to analyse the faulty economic planning and misplaced projects that create problems when rain, floods or earthquakes strike. But given the frequency of natural calamities, it is becoming increasingly important that development planning must take note of all these factors.

As PIA spirals downwards

WEDNESDAY’S session of the National Assembly was not good news for PIA. The house was told that PIA suffered Rs12.7bn loss last year — the highest it has ever incurred. This figure of one billion rupee losses a month was also contained in a Public Accounts Committee report last year. So it is sad nothing has changed. Perhaps the only silver lining in an otherwise gloomy scenario is the change of leadership in PIA, the relaxation of the EU ban on some PIA aircraft and the planned phasing out of foreign cabin crew which was costing the airline a lot. It is difficult to understand the rationale behind the hiring of foreign airhostesses at US$5,000 per month salaries (when local hostesses are paid around Rs15,000) at a time when the airline is in dire financial straits. Why was the decision made in the first place or why was it not reversed when 93 local airhostesses filed a complaint in February, challenging their forced retirement, in which they protested against the high salaries being paid to foreign airhostesses? One saw the same delayed response with the EU, which had been warning PIA about failing to meet international safety standards before it eventually slapped the ban in March. It is only at the end of June that the EU relaxed its ban on a certain number of PIA aircraft — but not before the airline incurred further losses.

PIA remains one of the world’s most heavily overstaffed airlines with a lot of ill-qualified people managing its affairs, be it technical or administrative. There are frequent passenger complaints about flight delays or cancellations and the ill-treatment meted out to them by the PIA staff. Then there is the excessive fare — for instance, an 80 per cent increase in fares to Chitral is simply baffling. No wonder people choose other airlines for travel, for their fares are cheaper and their planes safer. It is tragic that PIA is being run aground by gross mismanagement. It will be a pity if it is sold for a peanut in a privatisation bid instead of trying to improve its management and operations at every level.

Moving forward in cricket

RUMOURS of discontent are already doing the rounds even as Pakistan cricket tries to find its feet after the World Cup debacle. Though wholly unwelcome, this latest talk of power politics is far from surprising given the intrigue that has dogged the team for years. Senior players, it is claimed, are calling for the ouster of the board’s cricket operations director and threatening to pull out of the Twenty20 World Cup if their demand is not met by the PCB. At this crucial juncture, one can only hope that the team captain is being honest in his insistence that there is no substance in the recent bout of speculation. The rebuilding process has just started, and Pakistan cricket must look to the future instead of repeating the mistakes of the past. There is no shortage of new talent or old hands in the ‘new-look’ side which is more than capable of putting up a decent show against the best in the world. But for that to happen, the focus must be on cricket and how it is to be played out in the middle. For once, dressing room rivalries and personal grievances must take a back seat.

It is also time for some former players to recede into the background and refrain from criticism for criticism’s sake. Old superstars like Javed Miandad find it difficult to come to terms with life outside the spotlight and feel compelled to chime in even when their input is well past its sell-by date. This is precisely why many welcome Geoff Lawson’s appointment as the new coach, his shortage of coaching experience notwithstanding. Though an excellent fast bowler, he was never a cricketing wizard. A background such as his, despite his run-ins with authority as a younger man, may enable him to work quietly behind the scenes instead of hogging the limelight.

Islam forbids terrorism

SUICIDE bombing is a disturbing phenomenon as many innocent people become its target. In operation against terrorism, it is important to focus on the enemy. Without understanding its motivation, we cannot fight against this evil. One has to know the roots that energise it to act violently. This will lead to the issue, more honestly, and preventive measures could be taken to curtail the terror activities.

Several issues are crystal clear in Islam. Changes are not possible in the principles, in any circumstances. What people commit in the name of religion is never recommended, nor does it have any legal validity. It is simply a matter of ignorance to address suicide bombers as Muslims. The reason for what they are doing is not the preaching of Islam, nor does Islam recommend to do so. If some terrorist groups are using the name of Islam to promote their brutal agenda, what can the rest of the Muslims do? This is a man-made innovation that does not exist in Islam. The Quran does not support it. Islam has been wrongly propagated by the clergy infusing their vicious views.

It is also a pity that the Muslims who follow the West are called “liberals and enlightened”, by the Christians and Jewish lobbies, because they adopt ideas that are contrary to the teachings of Islam. Until the people around us understand true Islam and promote it among the coming generations of Muslims, a violent brand of man-made Islam can cause more damage. No religious group can justify acts of violence against innocent people. Several groups call themselves as the party of Allah. Does this make them the party of Allah? Surely not.

There is a major difference between terrorism and guerrilla strategy. Guerilla warfare is against institutional oppression, while terrorism means promotion of horror among non-combatants. Murder is not a spiritual act and murderers are not saints. Those who use religion to boost their acts of greed, fear or quest for power have nothing to do with Islam.

The political history of the Muslims is not ideal for coming generations to follow. Nor has it any sacred significance. Therefore, terrorism cannot be defined as an act, supported by Islam, for religious causes. If Muslims, at large, are charged as barbarians or terrorists, how can the western world ignore the atrocities committed by the Crusaders, in the name of religion? Spanish and Portuguese Catholic invaders forcibly converted Indian natives across America. Similarly wherever the colonial powers established their rule, the missionaries converted the less fortunate people sentimental approaches.

The Taliban are not the representatives of Islam. Therefore, it is totally unjust, contrary to facts to label the entire Muslims community accordingly. The contemporary Muslim political view and policy of international relations is quite dynamic.

Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. History shows the Muslims never used the weapon of terrorism to spread their religion. Islam spread only through the efforts of the Awliya, Muttaqi friends of Allah. Those who commit acts of violence and terror in the name of Allah can find ample justification for their action. It is necessary to examine the issue keeping in view the following points: How Rasulullah (S), his Ahl al Bait and his companions approached those outside the faith? When and from which source violence entered into the doctrine of Islam and who ignored war laws set by the Prophet (PBUH)? This will allow the texts and history of Islam to speak for them as much as possible. Honest, bright people will appreciate the need of a dialogue.

A question must disturb the minds of justice-loving people. Why are hate articles and propaganda against Muslims and Islam sponsored by some people? After analysing the question, I request all non-Muslim friends to ask themselves. “Is it because of so much hatred against Islam? Is it because it is the largest growing religion in the world? It is better to conclude the point in the words of Dr. Naik, an eminent Indian Muslim scholar. He says:” maybe it is because Muslims are weak, apparently, so forces inimical to Islam can do whatever they wish.” It is the Quran alone, that spread the light in the darkness and announced divine instructions against terrorism. When Rasulullah (S) taught the Quran, (in 7th century A.D.), there was no United Nations or Amnesty International to keep peace or expose injustice. Inter-tribal violence and vengeance was commonplace. However, the Quran repeatedly urges forgiveness and restraint, and warns believers not to transgress or become oppressors. Following Ayaat may explain the policy of Islam in clear terms:

— Sentence of death is allowed only through the process of justice, but even then, forgiveness is better. “Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause…” (17:33).

— Before the advent of Islam, in the Arabian Peninsula, retaliation was a common phenomenon. If someone was killed, the victim’s tribe would take action against the entire tribe of the killer. This monstrous attitude was forbidden through the Quran. The Quran admonishes those who oppress others and transgress the bounds of what is right and just. “The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice. For such there will be a chastisement grievous (in the Hereafter)” (42:42).

— Harming innocent bystanders, even in times of war, was forbidden by Rasulullah(S). This includes women, children, non-combatant bystanders, and even trees and crops. Nothing is to be harmed unless the person or thing is actively engaged in an assault against Muslims. “O ye who believe! (Do not) kill yourselves, for truly Allah has been to you Most Merciful. If any does that in rancour and injustice, soon shall We cast him into the Fire…” (4:29-30).

— If anyone slays a person – unless it is for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew all people. And if anyone saves a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all people. (5:32)

— Goodness and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is better. Then that person, with whom there was hatred, may become your intimate friend! And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but people of the greatest good fortune. (Surat No. 41: Ayaat Nos. 34-35).

Toy (scare) story

THE story of world trade is usually one of high politics; it comprises bilateral agreements, tariff deals and “three-shirter” summits in exotic locations. Sometimes, however, it gets rather more basic. Sometimes it involves toy trains. Thomas the Tank Engine has joined Barney the Dinosaur, the Cookie Monster and a whole Saturday morning’s worth of children’s TV characters as the lead actors in the latest trade tiff between the US and China: not about exchange rates or goods dumping this time, but safety.

Exported from China, the toy characters were recalled for being coated in potentially poisonous lead paint, while others had small magnets which small children could choke on. Tens of millions of toys have been recalled this summer, mainly in the US but also in Britain. So far, there is no record of harm done –– unless you count manufacturers’ reputations, the orthodoxy of outsourcing and free trade.

Paying a foreign contractor to make goods is based on a simple contract: you make my products cheaply; I focus on selling them; we both get richer. This is largely how China has cornered the market in many manufactured goods; it provides, for example, around 80 per cent of the world’s toys.

For the most part, Chinese dominance has so far gone unchallenged by either politicians or public. Sure, unions and industrialists worried about rival competition, and some on the left raised concerns over workers’ conditions in the People’s Republic –– but most consumers generally did not look past the (lower) price tags on their must-have items.

This year’s scares probably pose a far bigger obstacle to the outsourcing bandwagon. Shoppers happy to enjoy lower prices will obviously think twice before putting at risk their own health and safety. Already, the usual suspects on talk radio have begun sounding off about the Chinese menace.

On Wednesday, US Senator Dick Durbin joined their ranks, by calling for a recall of all toys made in China. That would leave most US toy shops as bare as Tiny Tim Cratchit’s house, but Mr Durbin prefers bluster to reality. “We have to do something dramatic,” he said yesterday. “American families should not have to play Chinese roulette when they go to a store.”

The senator is so far a lone voice, but many other politicians are cooling on the benefits of free trade. Take the trade pact America has spent months negotiating with its close ally South Korea. As deals go, this one is nearly as big as the Nafta agreement, which created a free-trade area between the US, Canada and Mexico.

Yet it is in legislative limbo, with many politicians unwilling to support it ahead of next year’s elections. In particular the Democrats, who used to champion free trade, are turning against it. Bill Clinton was a cheerleader for Nafta, but his wife and presidential hopeful in her own right, Hillary, has hummed and hawed over this latest deal. This toy scare will only add to the misgivings over freer markets.

One area where the Chinese certainly do not have a monopoly is poor safety standards, as demonstrated by this month’s collapse of a Minneapolis bridge. However spectacular, a single screw-up is merely an embarrassment — but there has been a string of Chinese scandals.

––The Guardian, London