Defining Moment For Local & Global Community

An earthquake suddenly brings destruction and attracts quick aid from the donors, while a flood related destruction is slower and therefore aid comes slowly. That is why the disastrous mega floods in Pakistan have attracted considerably less aid than the earthquake in Haiti earlier this year or the earthquake in Kashmir in 2005.
Nevertheless, the causes of slower donor response to the flooded country could be manifold. The image deficit of the charities, misappropriation of funds, inappropriate warehousing of perishable food in other countries following similar disasters, extremely irrelevant administrative costs of many charitable organizations and previous “disasters-profiteering” by selfish people are the main reasons for a slower than normal response from the international community. Most probably, Islamophobia, image deficit or donor fatigue syndrome resulted in such a critically slow response from the donors.
The investigative tour by the UN Secretary General has made it clear to the world that the floods are actually presenting a scene of a slow motion tsunami-- now covering an area of the size of England. One fifth of the country’s land including tens of thousands of villages is under water. So far there are 1600 reported deaths due to the calamity. There are growing health concerns for those surviving without proper shelter, food or clean drinking water. The people and infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan suffered  most of the fatalities on account of the driving rain and flash flooding.
The floods have expanded in the southern lowlands which are famous for agriculture. Highly fertile cultivable land is almost barren now due to siltage problem. Approximately, 200,000 cows, sheep, buffalo, goats and donkeys have already gone missing, but the toll will possibly be in the millions including poultry. Initial assessment suggests the crops worth more than a billion dollars have been lost. Current estimates suggest as many as 20 million people and 160,000 square kilometers of land — have been affected. Up to 8 million affectees need critical care. There are more than 3.5 million children who are in high risk category from deadly water-borne diseases in Pakistan following the country's worst floods. A lack of clean drinking water, medicine and vitamins makes everyone vulnerable. Aid agencies are working with government officials to assess the damage and deliver humanitarian assistance despite bad weather and damaged infrastructure.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon claims to have seen many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like the one in Pakistan. Twenty million people have been affected by the flood.
Mr. Ban implored the international community to increase aid to the country. The challenges are absolutely massive. Clean drinking water is desperately awaited to stop the spread of diseases. The distribution of supplies has been hampered by severe damage to the country's infrastructure, with roads and bridges washed away or blocked by landslides. It is estimated that it would take five years and $15bn to recover and rebuild. But, the UN says that several hundred billion dollars will be needed in order to rebuild the country.
The United States, Saudi Arabia, China, Afghanistan, Kuwait, OIC, Australia, EU countries, India and many others have begun pouring funds and other donations. Private organizations and groups of individuals are busy raising funds and collect donations in cash or kind for the ultimate benefit of suffering human beings.
In fact, coping with a challenging situation, such as this, means a fight (hard work) or a flight (run away).
Many G8/G20 nations are stuck with their own debt load. Canada runs a deficit and has a spiraling debt burden and is passing through recovery mode due to prolonged recession. On the other hand, Pakistan has been hit by terrible floods and its weak leaders have done little to help. But the world should sympathize with the flood victims as they suffer the most from natural disaster and the incompetent regime of Pakistan. Since, the flood damage is extensive and unprecedented, the international community including Canada should do more.
Sadly, Pakistan suffers from some sort of image deficit due to international media’s irresponsible and negative approach towards Pakistan’s political and economic turmoil. The negative publicity has damaged the country’s worldwide image beyond an easy fix. Malicious or baseless labeling affects how we perceive things because it stigmatizes people in other’s eyes. Labels not only bias perceptions, they can also change reality. And unless the signals are loud and clear, we tend to miss them. In fact, prejudices influence how we notice and interpret events.
Nevertheless, the Canadians are very generous and helpful, yet the sheer number of recent catastrophes is just taking a toll on their own savings. Apart from the negative propaganda, a population of thirty three million plus Canadians can easily manage to contribute and donate at least $100 each for the noble cause towards the flood victims. The figure instantly becomes “Thirty Three Hundred Million Dollars.” All of a sudden, there comes a big jump in the pledged help. This is how Canada can be ranked number one among the donor nations with regard to generosity in the time of need. “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Fortunately, pursuant to Mr. Ban Ki Moon’s advice, there is a steady rise in donations. Pakistan has obtained $815.58 million as aid so far. Europian Union has pledged $180 million, the US $150 million, Saudi Arabia $124.29 million, UK $100 million. Canada has increased its share from $2 million to $35 million.
Although, Pakistani officials struggled to cope with the mega flooding of the century, yet the "Administrative Paralysis" throughout the country was severely painful as there was a display of unpreparedness, poor coordination, and a lazy response. Astonishingly, no strategy existed to minimize the adverse effects of the ongoing catastrophe. Thousands of villagers stranded by Sindh floods are highly prone to the dacoits who snatch their cattle and currency as well as ornaments. Yet, amid public anger and heavy criticism, the inefficient authorities tried to carry out 'Rescue & Relief Operation.' The military, however, led the operation successfully despite the rampage of armed thieves.
Furthermore, trees have been cut by the selfish people along the embankment of the rivers causing major leaks. District administration is good for nothing without a fully authorized deputy commissioner as in the old days.
The irony is, the whole world has been undertaking de-flooding projects and constructing dams to avert floods but in Pakistan billions of rupees have been spent on the preparation of the feasibility study for Kalabagh dam which still remains a dream and a mystery.
Since Pakistan’s plight is under the global spotlight at the present hour, it is about time to seek international help to set up the latest flood warning system to avoid any repeat of messy disorganized behaviour in future crises.
Most importantly, the devastated nation should have Kalabagh dam as soon as possible and Land Reforms should be in place for fair redistribution of land to the farmers on merit, Secondly, a total elimination of dacoits (dakoo-community) through a well coordinated police-military combined crackdown is absolutely necessary. Thirdly, deforestation must be declared a severely punishable crime and any encroachment over the dried river beds must be discouraged with heavy fine to the violators. Fourthly, a cut in salary and other facilities for all parliamentarians and a reduction in cabinet size provincially and federally is highly recommended. Fifthly, there is a need for an independent foreign policy for uplifting Pakistan’s image across the world. And finally, a speedy 'Rehabilitation Work' to comfort the displaced people should be carried out on strict merit.


UPDATED: Canadian Government is now willing to match dollar for dollar towards- all 'flood donations to Pakistan' by the Canadians. (Thank you!  Canada)

Freeing Pakistan of Deadly Trouble

Though, tsunamis, earth quakes, tornadoes, air turbulence, lightening strike, glacier melting, monsoon rains and flooding etc are all just a tiny process of an unquestionable “Natural Phenomenon,” whereas the humankind is only partially able to cope with some of the above - provided there is “ahead of time” preparedness and training for using the available expertise and resources accordingly and appropriately. However, sometimes, there is a mix of various factors contributing to air or ground disaster which is caused due to bad weather or human error or technical fault/malfunctioning. Yet, the havoc brought on by the malicious/greedy anti social elements or state/non state actors are absolutely preventable, if the "policy of justice, fairness, merit and integrity" is adopted/followed by everyone individually and collectively of course.

The nation is celebrating 63rd birth day of the (left over) troubled Pakistan amid the ongoing devastation. During all these years, the country hasn’t been able to have grown up to be ranked among the matured nations. Almost every inch of the country is passing through an extremely stressful condition. Most recently, there appeared some hidden but powerful forces fully determined to ignite and fuel chaos on a wide scale to put Karachi on fire to satisfy their negative agenda. The fact that the current wave of killings has both ethnic and sectarian overtones shows some forces are using every available option to push 'Karachi - the commercial hub of Pakistan' into a state of disasterous anarchy unprecedented in its history.

Due to Mr. Jinnah’s demise and Late Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan’s murder in the early days, the orphaned country began its long voyage going through the severe political turbulance containing artificial tidal currents, rugged terrain, constitutional usurption and what not. The baby country started with almost nil resources. Yet, despite the incapacitated leadership, the nation carried on with meager resources including the poor training, dis-organization and inadequate guidance.

Nevertheless, the country’s intelligentsia and the youth always looked for direction. Certainly, the youth of today are the future assets; there is a great need of proper care of this precious treasure. In reality, the future of a country depends upon the youth of today. Indeed, they are in need of right direction at the right time which is “now or never.” This is so worrisome that in today’s rapidly changing environment, the pace of life has become faster leaving little time for caring and nurturing. Encouraging the youth to care about the world in which they live--is actually needed the most. Such an encouragement cannot be over-emphasized as the youth of today are the adults of tomorrow; therefore, they deserve the role models around them beyond any doubt.

Indeed, instilling philanthropic ideals and goals into the younger people would mean a lot to them, as they grow up realizing that they can make a real difference toward what is happening in the world. As we need a brand new generation of caring people, we must train these ‘youths of today’ to respond to a problem with positive attitude resulting in happy outcome. Quite surely, they can develop their own ability of problem solving, but only if they are properly guided when they are young. They need to be educated enough to understand the injustice of poverty, famine, terrorism, corruption and disaster, so that they can learn to play their role in addressing the difficulties.

Positive role models could be the key to success. It is so important for young workers to follow the role models and become great leaders when they grow up as adults. We must realize the importance of youth development. If the proper steps are taken, maybe this generation of youth will become a new breed of leaders that can handle the constantly changing world around them.

It is worth mentioning that the people of Pakistan including the youth must be thankful to Allama Iqbal, who persuaded Mr. Jinnah in 1934 to return from England and lead the Muslims of the Indian Sub-continent in their struggle to create Pakistan. Throughout his writings, he laid great emphasis on humanity’s creative capability. He was interested in the political and spiritual revival of Islamic civilization across the world, but specifically in South Asia; a series of famous lectures he delivered to this effect, were published as presidential address. He worked closely with Mr. Jinnah; is known as Muffakir-e-Pakistan, Shair-e-Mashriq and Hakeem-ul-Ummat, and is officially recognized as the national poet of Pakistan.

Indeed, the ever-inspiring Iqbal’s poetry is full of freshness containing a golden message. His God-gifted ability to transform complex feelings into rhyming words and phrases is well known. He stresses the role of the youth in Saqi Nama, saying that the young people are full of passion and new ideas, suggesting that the outdated rituals should not stop them from exploring new horizons. He didn’t mean a moral degeneration among the youths on the pretext of ultra modern fashions encouraged by the Musharraf’s notion of “Enlightened Moderation.”

The youth may benefit from the philosophy of Dr. Allama Iqbal, a lawyer and a poet who concentrated on writing on history, politics, economics, philosophy and religion. Asrar-e-Khudi, Rumuz-e-Bekhudi, Bang-e-Dara are some of his poetic works. His poetry has philosophical depth, passion, force and eloquence. (Khudi ko ker buland itna ke her taqdeer se pahle Khuda bande se khud pooche bata teri raza kiya hai• In “Rumz-e-Bekhudi”, he is addressing the Ummah about an ideal community based on Islamic social and ethical value. “Payam-e-Mashriq” is a reminder to the west about the importance of spirituality, morality and religion. In ‘Zabur-e-Ajam’ he denounces slavery and reminds on remembering the past, excelling the present and preparing for the future. Javed Nama is addressed to his own son and other young people at large arguing that “Muslim traitors” were responsible for many British victories in the Indian subcontinent leading to enslaving. His other Persian works are Pas Chih Bayad Kard and Armaghan-e-Hijaz. All Pakistanis including the youths must understand and benefit from the philosophy of Allama Iqbal, who taught self-reliance and true sovereignty instead of relying on foreign assistance.

And, Mr. Jinnah’s golden sayings give direction to the nation as well. He said to the youths, “Prepare for the future, “You have to take up the reins of the country to steer the nation to the goal of a progressive and prosperous Pakistan.”

Although, corruption remains the headlines, it is not-- the only disease that ails the public sector. Unfortunately, there are other factors such as climate change, de-forestation, and defective planning by the governments over the years. Therefore, as the youths of today are the adults of tomorrow, they must be trained and prepared accordingly to properly evaluate the facts & figures for accurate balancing essential for the long awaited prosperity.

Sadly speaking, Pakistani politicians are to be mainly blamed for their 'non serious attitude' towards helping 180 million nationals through building dams to avoid future disasters. Of course, there are other issues related to security, energy and development projects and deficit-reduction through sticking to available resources. Corrupt elite sitting in our assemblies with fake degrees is a curse too-- needing a prompt corrective action, but dispensing justice is only possible if there is a regard for supremacy of constitution, rule of law and of course an independent judiciary.

It is safely concluded that the ongoing damaged writ of the State needs a quick fix up. Certainly, it is about time to launch a "peaceful national movement" against the plunderers of country's wealth and the corrupt politicians who possess undisclosed assets, foreign accounts, evade taxes and have capital outside the country. The loot has to be brought back to Pakistan urgently so that Jinnah’s country could enjoy self respect, peace, prosperity and high rank among the global nations as envisioned by Allama Iqbal the great.

The writer is an indepedent analyst based in Canada