IT is truly baffling to realize the ways and the number of times that one can be scared in Karachi. When one says scared, there is in mind, for example, the fear of street crime; the anxiety of power failures; the agitated state of mind that water shortages brings; the panic that traffic chaos generates; the scared feeling that comes from realizing that one has to visit a government dealing department; or how afraid women can be when they are unescorted and have to go out and confront strangers.

I can imagine that with the worst of summer and monsoon season past us and with an autumn-less October here, people of this city would get a sense of relief and the holy month of Ramazan would get undivided attention rather than this mosquito fear that has shaken the confidence of citizens. As one colleague remarked, “It takes so little to upset the equilibrium of the city, so little...” He smiled to say that mosquitoes had done it now.

And if one looks at the grim scary situation that the dengue fever stories have been generating, the most obvious thought that comes to the most dimwitted amongst us relates to the absence of preventive measures that should have been taken after the rains in August -- the havoc they brought being well known.

The rainwater that Karachi’s authorities (varied platforms) failed to clear on time would get sprayed for mosquitoes and other infections that comes an obvious consequence. Karachiites believed that the spraying on the stagnant stinking water would be normal and natural, and the health departments of the city and the provincial governments would be proactive in this direction.

We have not seen any real evidence of this desperately needed fumigation despite the alarm bells that have been ringing. Look at what a spokesman of the provincial health department has been quoted as saying that the authorities are going to advertise an area-wise schedule in different newspapers for fogging and spraying of insecticides. It is very clear that swift action and emergency measures have not been put in place as they should have. One disgusted citizen observed that it is only being planned at this stage.

As I write this on Friday evening and stories related to dengue fever spread in the city, there has just been telecast on a private TV channel an interview with a university professor, who had warned seven years ago that dengue fever could spread in Karachi.

Prof Jamil Hasan Kazmi said that after his return from the USA where he had gone on a Fulbright scholarship he had focused on this aspect with reference to Karachi. Even in a developed place like Singapore there were 5,000 cases of dengue fever reported in 2003, he underlined.

The university professor said that this mosquito breeds on fresh water and also sewerage water, and when these are unavailable in October they shift to the overhead water tanks. He, however, didn’t believe that that the dengue fever had assumed yet the nature of an epidemic.

This television news report said that there were 450 people with high fever who had reported to local hospitals. One prays that this does not spread any further and that it is contained and fully controlled in this city.

More than somewhat disturbing and enigmatic is a news report published on Oct 13th that City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said: “No dengue fever cases have been reported in the last 10 days.” The very same newspaper reports that at least 124 patients with hemorrhage fever were admitted in various private and public hospitals in the city. And while giving details of how many admitted in various hospitals, a spokesman of the health department Capt Abdul Majid said, “We are only responsible for the coordination, monitoring and policy making which are forwarded to the city government for further consideration and implementation.” Citizens do not understand what to make of this kind of cold comfort that comes from such official statements!!

There is not the slightest doubt that citizens are worried and in varying degrees. The ordinary mosquito that the Karachiite has learnt to live with and whose buzzing and humming sound is a threat and nuisance that the city has often reconciled to is now a dreaded prospect. The state of the city after the rains with sewerage and rainwater still a challenge (even in Clifton) raises many questions. One is reminded here of the state of garbage collection and garbage heaps that dot the city. That is an all time story that we live with!

As we are in a state of dengue fever fear that has landed on the city in the month of Ramazan, it is particularly pertinent to mention here the high vulnerability of school children, given the inadequate state of hygiene and cleanliness. This is one area that needs the highest priority, stress parents, as we are familiar with the indifference with which most private and government schools treat the crucial subject of hygiene. One parents took a philosophic view and said that this dengue fever and other instances of malaria that have been reported reflect the poor levels of health and hygiene that we have in this society.

This viral hemorrhage fever has been in town since sometime last month and experts warn that it can assume alarming proportions. There are calls for donating blood and reports underline that blood banks are running out of kits. There are eight or nine days to go before the Eid moon is sighted and according to some news reports blood transfusion experts fear a difficult fortnight ahead as they are running out of kits to provide platelets to patients suffering from the fatal dengue fever that had inundated hospitals.

In brief, there is a desperate call for blood donations in the city right now – at least 200 donors a day are needed at this stage of the canvass of the dengue fever spread. That is the context of Eidul Fitr this year. The question that Karachiites are asking each other is whether this situation could have been avoided had the city district government and the Sindh health department been better prepared with a vision after the heavy monsoon rain this year.

Look what one simpleton remarked, “The rains got the sewerage systems to collapse, and then came the dengue fever.” No laughing matter, dear citizens.

Rapid change is no strange phenomenon to Pakistan cricket. This is the country that has seen 11 captains in seven years. The recent series of events, however, has been entropic, to say the least. In less than a week, Pakistan has had three captains, two cricket board chairmen, the resignation of a director and sacking of an assistant coach. How’s that for setting new standards?

Signs point to General Musharraf’s involvement in the resignation of Shaharyar Khan and the appointment of Nasim Ashraf, a member of the PCB ad hoc committee.

It can only be presumed that Abbas Zaidi, the director of operations, followed Shaharyar out of some sense of loyalty. They had a good working relationship, after all.

As for Mushtaq’s dismissal on grounds of questionable character, well, that’s a questionable reason. Whether he actually played an important role in the workings of the side is another matter altogether.

His friendship with Inzamam seems to be a point of contention with many asserting that the PCB was not favourable to this relationship. Finally, there is the Nasim Ashraf-Pervez Musharraf connection.

The new PCB chairman was on the President’s task force for human development and reportedly has a close relationship with General Musharraf.

As for Younis’ decision to step down, it seems selection issues were at the heart of this problem.

Some have suggested, Imran Khan among them, that Younis has faced discrimination from the PCB since the time of his selection as player and that he was right to act the way he did. It’s possible his actions might force the PCB to give more leverage to the team captain, men they have generally bossed around and shabbily disposed since the retirement of Imran. But that too, is unlikely. All these questions and concerns will be answered in time. For now, what’s most important is how all this will affect the team.

Before the last World Cup, there were various issues surrounding the captaincy and the dressing room atmosphere. Waqar Younis was appointed captain on a series-to-series basis, which he did not appreciate, but never actually spoke out against the board’s conduct. At the same time, the board was dangling the job in front of Wasim Akram as well, only to bail on him at the last moment.

After that disastrous campaign, Rashid Latif told me that the only reason some of the players did not appear against Australia is because they couldn’t be bothered.

Wasim too, has suggested that there were factions within the side, with few wholeheartedly backing Waqar as captain. But all those involved agree that the cricket board was responsible for creating this atmosphere. They were unwilling to back anyone for the captaincy, and in the end, Waqar turned into a scapegoat.

Since Inzamam has taken over and Bob Woolmer appointed coach, such dressing room dramatics have rarely emerged. There was the incident in the West Indies involving Younis and Afridi (coincidentally, Inzamam was suspended for that match as well) which led to a miserable performance at Bridgetown. It is a testament to the way the coach and captain have handled thing that in a volatile atmosphere such as Pakistan cricket, no controversy had broken out until the Oval Test.

In addition, the team’s performances in that time have exceeded most expectations and Pakistan is now ranked third in both Tests and ODIs. But does all this really matter anymore? Can the side possibly recover from the jolt produced by the last week?

Younis Khan’s decision to step down has been both criticised and defended. As captain, he has every right to be part of the selection process. Younis knows that he will be running this team in the near future and wants to establish a core unit that respects him as a leader. Without this, no matter how hard he tries, the team will remain divided.

Waqar’s biggest mistake before the 2003 World Cup was not speaking out against the way the cricket board was handling team affairs. He took an unhappy lot to South Africa and the rest is history. Younis does not want to do the same thing.

Let us not pretend that cricketers must conduct themselves in some puritanical fashion which reflects the values of the sport. His actions have turned Pakistan cricket on its head but at least we can all rest assured those in charge of the team itself have the courage to assert themselves. Inzamam did it at the Oval and Younis has done it now.

Let’s hope that the PCB understands this and allows the captain do his job. Pakistan cricket might be a lot better for it. As it stands, this might just be the push that the team needed to get over the England tour. Shahid Afridi has called on the team to support Younis, how the rest react will shape Pakistan’s performance not only at the Champions Trophy but possibly even the World Cup and everything in between.

ON the 21st of Ramazan every year Muslims remember and mourn the tragic assassination of the revered Ali bin Abi Talib, the last of the “well-guided caliphs of Islam (khulafa-e-rashedeen), the first cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet (S.A.W).

The martyrdom is remembered especially because of its extreme poignancy, even though his birth as well was an extraordinary event. It is narrated that on Friday, the 13th of Rajab, 12 years before the ordainment of Muhammad (S.A.W) as Allah’s Messenger, Ali’s mother Fatimah bint Asad felt labour pain. She came to the Sacred Ka’bah and began to circumambulate praying as she walked. “...for the sake of the builder of this House, and for the sake of the child in my womb, I implore You to make my labour easy.”

As she leaned against the wall of the Ka’bah to rest, miraculously, the wall opened. Fatimah bint Asad entered and the wall closed behind her. Nobody could open the door. For three days she remained inside the Sacred House. On the dawn of the fourth day, she stepped out, carrying her baby in her arms.

When Ali was six years old, Mohammad (S.A.W) took him under his own care from his uncle Abi Talib. When Muhammad (S.A.W.) reported that he had received a divine revelation, Ali, then only about ten years old, accepted Islam, becoming the youngest person to do so.

Through all the years of persecution in Makkah, and in fact throughout the life of the Prophet (S.A.W.) Hazrat Ali stood behind him through thick and thin. The most shining example of his selfless love for his mentor was when Ali risked assassination by sleeping in the Prophet’s bed on the night of the Hijrah to enable him to migrate to Yasrab.

Whether in peace or in war, Ali always remained by the Prophet’s side, shoulder to shoulder. With the exception of Tabuk, Ali joined all battles and expeditions fought for Islam.

Ali first distinguished himself as a warrior at the Battle of Badr. He defeated the Banu Ummaiya champion Walid bin Utba besides other soldiers from Makkah. At the Battle of Uhud when the army of Islam was defeated and most of the Muslims lost discipline Ali was one of the few Muslims who defended Muhammad (S.A.W.). It is reported that Ali repelled repeated enemy attacks so bravely that it evoked the remark “La Fata Illa Ali, La Saifa Illa Zulfiqar” (There is no brave man except Ali and there is no sword which renders service except Zulfiqar, his sword)”. In the battle of the Trench (Khandaq) he killed Amr ibn Wodd, one of the bravest enemy warriors.

The battle of Khaibar is historic for another incident that reflects on Ali’s character. When he brought his adversary, Marhab down and sitting astride his chest drew his dagger to kill Marhab, the latter spat on Ali’s face. But, instead of plunging the dagger with greater fury, Ali withdrew. Asked why, he replied that he was going to kill Marhab purely to please Allah, but when the latter spat on his face, an element of anger would have entered into his act robbing it of its purity.

It was after great persuasion in the name of Islam that a reluctant Ali accepted the Caliphate after Hazrat Usman’s martyrdom. But Mu’awiyah refused to recognise Ali and marched against him with an army. At the Battle of Siffin that ensued, when the tide seemed to be turning in favour of Ali, a number of the Mu’awiyah’s soldiers raised copies of the Qur’an on the points of their spears and demanded that “the matter ought to be settled by reference to this book, which prohibits Muslims from shedding each other’s blood.”

Ali and his soldiers deferred to the invocation. It was mutually agreed that the dispute over the title to caliphate between Mu’awiyah and Ali should be settled by arbitration. Abu Musa Al Ash’ari was chosen as Ali’s advocate. Mu’awiyah’s was Amr-bin-’Aas. ‘Amr suggested to Abu Musa that it would be to the advantage of Islam that neither candidate should reign, and asked him to give his decision first. Abu Musa walked into the trap and proclaimed that he deposed both Ali and Mu’awiyah. Thereupon, ‘Amr declared that he also deposed Ali, but invested Mu’awiyah with the caliphate.

Ali suffered a mortal head wound on the 19th of Ramazan while he was performing morning prayers in mosque. He departed this life on the 21st of Ramazan in 661 CE.

But even as he was breathing his last, Ali left yet another example of his total adherence to Islam, demanding that his assassin should be killed with a single stroke just as he had struck Ali with one stroke.

Thus died one of the noblest of men and the most pious Muslim. But he died only to live forever. “And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: ‘They are dead.’ Nay, they are living though ye perceive it not.”