Taking care of business

OFFICIAL claims of neutrality ring more hollow by the day. After the induction at the federal level of a caretaker prime minister who is part of the PML-Q and a cabinet teeming with Musharraf cronies and the odd military academy pal, a similar exercise has been repeated across the provinces. It would be inaccurate to call it a crisis of confidence, for few in the public now retain even an iota of faith in a ‘government’ characterised by diktat and one-man rule. The ceaseless charade of the ‘third transition’ to democracy goes on, even as the country reels under what is effectively martial law. The process of consultation, without which the much-vaunted goal of national reconciliation can never be achieved, is nowhere to be seen. Forget participation in governance. The opposition, such as it is, has had no say whatsoever even in the composition of the interim set-ups that will allegedly oversee free and fair elections in the new year.

In Sindh, pretence has been done away with altogether and perhaps we ought to be thankful for that small mercy. It is also an admission of weakness, the fear that the PPP may run rampant in the polls in the absence of total control. What has been thrust upon us is a cabinet stacked with the nominees of Pir Pagaro’s ‘Functional’ Muslim League, known for sitting out battles until the victor can be easily identified and sided with, as well as that of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Also part of the tincture is a sprinkling of professionals, businessmen and assorted has-beens who will no doubt revel in their flag cars and one last hurrah. And, yes, also a retired judge as the chief minister. Perhaps in an attempt to try and divide the ranks of the lawyers and the judiciary. The exercise in Punjab has been subtler. Ministers with direct political links are few and far between, though all of them are undeniably pro-Musharraf. Why else would anyone choose to prop up this regime and how else would they be acceptable to the establishment? Again the chief minister is a retired judge, as is the minister for local government and community development. A prominent barrister has been sworn in as the minister for law and parliamentary affairs, again a signal that the lawyers’ community needs a second think. Something attempted, something gained? That remains to be seen. The seemingly apolitical appointments in Punjab also convey the impression that the authorities there are more confident than their counterparts in Sindh. Their complacency could well be misplaced, however.

Pliable, pro-establishment figures also dominate the appointments in Balochistan while an amenable caretaker set-up, now expanded, has been in place in the NWFP since Oct 10. On a positive note, the new chief ministers of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan have both promised the release of all political prisoners rounded up since Nov 3. If this comes to pass, it will be a welcome move. If the next elections are to be anything but a complete sham, there must be no restriction on the movement and free speech of politicians and dissident members of civil society.

Silent emergency

THE political crisis in the country has taken a heavy toll in terms of people’s peace of mind and mental well-being. It is not generally realised how the prevailing state of uncertainty and insecurity can ravage the people’s psyche. In this context, a statement by the Pakistan Association for Mental Health (PAMH) is most telling. It points out how the current political turmoil, breakdown of law and order and collapse of basic civic amenities have created conditions that have led to an escalation in the incidence of depression, anxiety, psychosis and psychosomatic illnesses. Given the stress created by the political conditions, psychiatrists confirm that patients who were well-managed are now experiencing a relapse while new cases — many of them children — are also being diagnosed in large numbers.

Although the PAMH professionals have done well to demand the lifting of the emergency and the restoration of the people’s fundamental rights, one knows very well that this is not about to happen. Had our rulers been that sensitive to the welfare of the people, politics would not have come to such a pass. However, this sense of hopelessness and despair should not deter one from demanding one’s rights and struggling for an improvement in one’s life. But what is also important is that other avenues must be explored to provide relief to the people. This is essential if the people have to be helped through these stressful times. There are many who have discovered their own methods of strengthening their spirit and ventilating their anger. Political activism, which has taken many innovative forms and should make an impact on the current situation, has a positive mental health dimension as well. But there are others who need professional help and they should not be neglected. Guidance should be made easily accessible to them. In 2005 when the earthquake struck northern Pakistan the response of mental health practitioners to the needs of the people traumatised by the natural calamity had been commendable. Again we face extraordinary times. With mental health facilities woefully in short supply, PAMH should consider reaching out to the people who need help in informal ways — at least for the time being. By devising group therapies, instituting systems to access school-going children through their teachers and imparting a better understanding of the problems to be expected from the present conditions to general physicians, PAMH can counsel people and provide them with much-needed support.

Curse of corporal punishment

GIVEN that the government attaches little importance to issues concerning the welfare of children, it would be too much to expect it to heed the UN’s advice to eliminate corporal punishment in the country or strike out legislation that allows it. As pointed out in a report in this paper, although Pakistan has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, its statute books still condone this form of violence against children. Consider Section 89 of the Pakistan Penal Code that implies that physical punishment, if carried out in ‘good faith’ and for the ‘benefit’ of the child, is not an offence. Society has moved on since the time when the PPC was given shape on the lines of Victorian values. While hitting a child may get him or her to submit to direction, experience has shown, worldwide, that those who are routinely subjected to physical punishment in their early years perpetuate this form of violence by striking their own children. Many grow up as depressives, lacking in confidence and displaying antisocial behaviour.

In Pakistan, physical punishment is seen not only in homes but also in schools and at workplaces where many children are employed. Indeed, madressahs are especially infamous for beating pupils and inflicting serious injuries on their young and vulnerable bodies. There are cases where children have lost the use of a limb or been beaten to the point of unconsciousness. But while such cases are highlighted in the press from time to time, there has never been a general outcry, indicating that it is accepted by a society that is unwilling to let go of archaic notions. As long as the government shies away from trying to change this mindset by banning corporal punishment or punishing those who inflict it, future generations of adults will continue to exhibit dysfunctional tendencies.

OTHER VOICES - European Press

Politics, corruption and progress

Greece is in a very favorable position. Its prime minister, Costas Karamanlis, has managed to win two consecutive general elections despite attacks from business interests that insist on treating political parties as tools for the promotion of their own interests.

The head of the government has consistently tried to stamp out corruption so that politics will no longer be blackmailed by outside interests, big or small.

Greece is lucky that the Socialist opposition leader is singing the same tune.

George Papandreou renewed his mandate as PASOK leader in spite of systematic attempts to undermine him both before and after the Sept 16 elections.

Greece is fortunate to have two honest people in the country’s two most crucial posts. If the two men agree that politicians are not here to serve so-called extra-institutional interests, they will have taken a major step in the campaign to clean up Greece’s political system.…

However, they must back their pledges with deeds…(Nov 19)

Ditch deadly new rules

ERNIE Rutkiewicz could have been alive today. He choked to death — while an ambulance crew stationed 500 yards away finished their dinner. It took them 22 minutes to arrive.

They could have been with Ernie in less than two. The paramedics are not to blame.…The problem is the crazy new ambulance service rule book which makes crews “disappear” when they are on a meal break.

They cannot be contacted and simply vanish from control room computer screens.

The rules are part of Government reforms known as Agenda For Change…. In January, an elderly woman from Eyemouth, Agnes Alexander, waited almost two hours in distress for an ambulance because the closest crew, 16 miles away in Duns, was on a rest break.

She later had a stroke….At the time, ambulance service staff warned the new rules would lead to a tragedy. Ernie’s death has proved them right….Never mind Agenda For Change, the Scottish Ambulance Service need to change their agenda. They need to draw up new, common-sense rules that highly skilled, caring crews get on with what they do best — saving lives…(Nov 14)