June 29, 2006

Just a week ago, the newspapers once again flashed a harrowing tale –– a father had slashed the throats of his three daughters. The incident did not relate to any so-called sex crime; neither was it a case of karo kari or honour killing. No jirga was involved in the adjudication of any illicit relations. The man had decided to take the lives of his daughters only because he was painfully convinced that he would not be able to meet their needs and bring them up as respectable citizens. Hard pressed by financial problems, he took this extreme measure and afterwards surrendered himself to the police.

Some analysts who excel in pursuing unrealistic theories, suggest that people commit such crimes only because they suffer from a mental ailment. It may be one of the reasons compelling a man to kill his own wife or daughters, but this cannot be the sole motivating factor. In many cases desperate people commit murders because of poverty and the uncertain future of their children. Some cases draw the attention of people as they are projected by the media, but most of them remain unreported. Whatever the cause, it is certain that people kill their kith and kin out of frustration and disgust.

Despite repeated claims by the authorities, the fact remains that more and more people are joining the ranks of those living below the poverty line. We have already earned notoriety for fudging figures and distorting facts. That is why the details of our census studies and sociological exercises are not easily accepted by international organisations. And now our donor agencies, too, have expressed serious doubts about the statistics relating to the level of poverty in the country. The official approach to the issue of poverty alleviation is not only unrealistic; it is also based on a premise which could be greatly misleading.

It is known to everybody how the international community responded to the call for aid and relief to the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan. But have we rightfully utilised the generous assistance extended to us? There have been reports indicating that the donor agencies and contributing states are not satisfied with the way rehabilitation work is being done. Some of them have even suggested deputing their own men to monitor the distribution of funds.

A small shopkeeper hailing from the affected areas of Azad Kashmir, and running a small business in Karachi, claimed that people are cheating their own relatives to secure maximum amount of the aid money. This explains why rehabilitation of the displaced people is taking so much time and facing so many difficulties. From the very beginning the authorities have relied completely on their own agencies whose performance has always been unsatisfactory. The real representatives of the masses who know their people, are conversant with their problems and are familiar with the treacherous terrains, have been ignored by the officials.

The poor and the deprived often ask why they should continue to suffer while others enjoy the privilege of becoming richer day by day. No longer do they blame fate for their miseries. As enlightened members of the society with basic understanding of their rights they question the secret nature of ever-increasing defence spending.

A former finance minister of India, who was recently in Pakistan, surprised many when he stated that the defence budget of his country is subjected to strict scrutiny by the members of parliament and budget discussion continues for many days. In our case, we have, not too long ago, passed the budget in less than fifteen days treating the defence spending as a sacred cow.

Why should we be afraid of revealing the details of the budget? The people of Pakistan are hardworking, industrious and honest but because the successive governments have overridden their opinion time and again, they have lost faith in the political leadership. Now all they can do is recall the days when the founder of this country had refused to go abroad for the treatment of his ailment because “Pakistan was a poor country and could not afford expensive treatment in a foreign land.”

We must remember that Pakistan was not created for the elite who have been ruling the country with abandon. Millions of Muslims sacrificed their lives in the process of its establishment. Now they seek justice and fair assessment of their problems. No issues can be solved by announcing grandiose plans. We must get rid of the cancer of corruption that has been spreading with impunity.

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