Child Sexual Abuse ....A barbaric savagery in Pakistan

Child Sexual Abuse and sexual exploitation are generally obliterated or at least openly abnegated phenomena in Pakistan. Regrettably, these cases rarely elevate in light because most of the time perpetrators are acquaintances, neighbours or relatives of the children.  The number of child abuse cases have been rapidly augmenting  in Pakistan due to absence of proper hindrance and cautionary standards adopted by the government, as well as the parents, Sahil, a non-government organization (NGO) working for children rights, states in there 2010 report.

 In 2009, a total of 2012 reported cases of child sexual abuse were recorded from all over Pakistan , which was 9.4 per cent increase in comparison to 2008. According to the report of the NGO, the number of children who are sexually abused in Pakistan has registered an alarming increase this year. 1216 children were victimized in the first six months of this year. According to Sahil’s report, the facts and figures have been collected from news published in 65 different newspapers of the country.The report said, “We believe that the number of incidents presented in the print media do not represent the total numbers of such incidents in Pakistan-because such issues are taboo and not easily reported.”  The topper province is Punjab which has the highest number of child sexual abuse cases, standing at 62 %, Sindh recorded 28 % cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa – 1.5 %, Balochistan – 1% and Azad Kashmir stood at 0.5 %.  Out  of 1,216 cases reported in six months, 331 boys, where as 885 girls had been sexually abused.  The highest number of cases recorded in the category of abduction for sexual purposes for girls, whereas the boys had been mainly abused for sodomy, followed by gang sodomy, abduction for sexual purposes, and attempt of sodomy, among other similar cases. According to the statistics, a total of 2,425 abusers have sexually assaulted 1,216 children.  As per the report,  the most vulnerable age group of children is of 11-15 years, in which almost 25.5 per cent cases took place, followed by 6-10 years, with 16.5 per cent cases. Tragically, the report revealed that 81 % of ‘abusers’ were people known to the victim or their family, whereas the rest of 19 % were strangers. The main reason why this issue is so convoluted to cope with and makes it even more difficult to eliminate. Sexual abuse of children is cloaked in silence and is often pushed into the deep and dark corners of our homes and minds, left unattended and untreated.


 

Whenever I hear about this issue it makes me cringe. I refuse to call those human who are involved in this crime. Their lust and ignorance has made them animals rather beasts.It is so surprising that their own children are also a part of this society and they can be a pray to a beast like them. Besides the state of mind that exists in our society is a very bitter truth and a big shame for us being Muslims.

Child sexual abuse is a matter of grave concern for the society. It  is a global phenomenon and the developed nations had adopted strict measures to protect their children from such incidents. But ingloriously, our government is not interested in taking any serious action in this matter . Unfortunately, there is no ministry of Children in Pakistan. The government should run awareness programs throughout the country specially in rural areas where the cases are more, as part of school curriculum. this will help in many ways.At least an effort could be made and it is not something to be shown any reservation.We need to educate and encourage responsible members of the community to report cases of abuse/neglect and for the authorities to act on this information…we all have a responsibility here…

Government in dilemma......which side the camel will sit!!!!

PPP's government is in a big perplexity at the moment when on one side JUI-F already took its stance to quit the government and on the other side coalition party MQM has given 10 days ultimatum to have the action taken against Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza.

President, Asif Ali Zardari in meeting with Delegation of Muttehda Qaumi Movement (MQM) led by Dr.Farooq Sattar at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Monday.

 
Talks between government and Maulana Fazalur Rahman remained unsuccessful. JUI-F has already submitted the application in National Assembly to sit on opposition desks. On the other hand, MQM's delegation led by Dr. Farooq Satar met with PM Gilani on Sunday, Dec 19th and a firm assurance was given by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and later on by President Zardari on Monday that MQM's reservations would be removed and immediate actions will be taken as per demand. MQM leadership expressed its concern regarding the racist remarks of Zulfiqar Mirza and presented a CD of the speech to President Zardari that had scuppered the coalition of both the parties, even quivering the federal government.

Now, since the ball is in PPP's court, therefore its top leadership will have to decide what significant decisions are to be made to keep the coalitions. Next few days in Pakistani politics are extremely critical. We will have to wait and see that in order to retain majority in the parliament, will PPP abnegate in front of MQM by taking action against Zulfiqar Mriza and by surrendering against JUI-F on the issues or we will witness the biggest horse trading in the history of Pakistani politics.
 
Lets see on which side this camel will sit!!!!!

Hypocrisy on a next level.......

Federal Law Minister Babar Awan

There is no second thought on this issue that normally politicians are hypocrites. Although there are some exemptions but we can count those ones on our fingers.

I was reading an article in Dawn titled as "Incoming foreign aid not being documented".  Our Federal Law Minister Mr. Babar Awan is presenting himself as a confused, pudding headed, muddleheaded fellow who doesn't even know what is he talking about.  On one side, he is confessing the inability of our so called government and on the other hand imposing that the people who are opposing and contradicting RGST are those who do not want to pay taxes.   Now look who is talking, the pot calling the kettle black or should I say that the donkey called the rooster big headed????

At this point I would like to remind Our dearest Federal Minister that you belong to the government who's President, Prime minister, and many of the ministers do not have one single proof of tax payments.  Now I leave it in your hands to decide what piece of advice should be offered to Mr. Awan????????

Sleaziness towards religion........our conscience is DEAD????

Corruption is one of the issues our country is dealing with since it came into being.  We as a nation are accustomed to it whether we accept it or not but as a Muslim my head is bowed in shame when I see some scrofulous and immoral people who proudly call themselves "MUSLIM"  can't keep their corruptness and dishonesty away from religion and its rituals.

The past is full of this shabbiness but most recent example of corruption came out when  National assembly standing committee for religious affairs mentioned the corruption in Hajj preparations. Furthermore, in a letter to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Saudi Prince Bandar bin Khalid has alleged that there is concrete evidence of financial botching and corruption as far as the Haj affairs of Pakistani ministry are concerned. He averred that the Pakistani government disdained the most economical Saudi offer pertaining to the accommodation of Pakistani hajis. He disclosed that his company offered 3,500 Saudi Riyal per pilgrim within two kilometres of Haj congregation venue but it was refused by Pakistani authorities as they claimed that they are seeking within 3 to 4 kilometres in order to get cheaper rates. Only the Pakistani pilgrims are still being charged 3,500-3,600 Saudi Riyals for this accommodation although the rent at such a far-off location is not more than 1,500 Riyals under any circumstance.  Also, according to the law the residence for the pilgrims shouldn't be more than 2 kilometers away from Haram Sharif. Not only that but transportation issues were also not resolved and in result Pakistani pilgrims faced much difficulty in moving around. On a rough basis billions of rupees corruption is been done, 2 lacs 38 thousand Rupees per person were collected but Pilgrims who went for Hajj through the government scheme faced immense problems due to lack of accommodation and unwillingness on the part of the administrators to provide any help.

Although Chief Justice took immediate notice and demanded an answer from Ministry within 15 days, Director General Hajj Rao Shakeel and others are arrested but as per past performances of Judicatory and direct links of Rao Shakeel and his team with Our Prime Minister Gillani, I cannot even hope for a fair trial. Only I can dream and wish that someday the time will come when I can raise my head with pride in front of the world and call myself Pakistani and a Muslim elegantly without any shame.......

Goverment drops "Petrol bomb"!!!!

 Again, without deliberating the upshots, Government of Pakistan strike down our nation as Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) announced an increase in prices of petroleum products on Sunday Oct 31, 2010 by a massive Rs4.27 to Rs7.11 per litre with immediate effect to countervail impact of the rise in oil prices in the international market. It will be in effect instantly from Nov 01, 2010 midnight.

At this point, when our country is already addressing severe poverty issues, this enactment of government is totally insensitive.  The only individuals who will be benefited are the dealers and oil marketing companies whose profit  have increased by 111 per cent and our government as the rate of GST being collected has climbed up to 9 percent. while overall the GST at 16 per cent results in windfall revenue to the government.

I have not seen any political parties elevating this issue except MQM who strongly condemned this soulless step of Government and demand to revert this increment on urgent basis.  I value and apprise the policies of MQM which connect them with the common man of Pakistan. Our country's indigence calls for a savior who can touch base with us, the "commoners" of our country.

Pakistan gained a higher rank among most corrupted countires ....

As a Nation we may not be accomplishing our goals in several fields but our country has moved up the corruption ladder, claimed 34th position this year as compare to 42th position in 2009 among  most corrupted countries according to Transparency International Report for 2010
Chairman of Transparency International Pakistan Syed Adil Gilani, launched the Corruption Prescriptions Index (CPI) in a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday October 26th, 2010.  In the last two years, there have been unprecedented cases of corruption involving billions of rupees in public sector organizations,  predominately Pakistan's Oil and Gas Development Company Limited which made headlines in the recent past when Prime Minister Gillani appointed his jail mate and a convict who was not even a graduate as its managing director, Pakistan Steels, a loss of Rs.22 billions and most prominently Rental Power Plants was on the top. The government awarded 14 contracts in violation of the PPRA rules which caused a loss of over US$ 2 billion.









Within Last two years, Pakistan slipped 13 places, from 47th position to 34th  which is a disgrace for our country as well as for us.  The corruption  has gone up to the level where we can only wait for a miracle to happen. Regrettably, Government of Pakistan is unrepentant and defied any such allegations. As per the report of TI Pakistan, there was a corruption of 35 million dollars (300 billions Rupees) within one year. Due to this degree of corruptness, the foreign investment has decreased to $2.21 billion in 2010 from $3.71 billion the previous year. The foreign debt which increased from $40 billion to $46 billions during 1999 to 2008 has increased up to $53 billion in two years. The Direct impact can be witnessed in shape of 120% rise in food prices.

Comparatively from our neighboring countries, India grabbed 90th rank and Bangladesh, which ranked as the most corrupted between 2001-2003 claimed 39th placement in the Index.  Why is that our country which was on 47th position in 2008 now ranked 34th most corrupted country. I am not partial towards any political party or past governments but as a sensible person and responsible citizen when I look back in time I ask myself a question that the Dictator who brought Pakistan from the 2nd most corrupted rank to 47th position was better then this so called democratic government which is again taking us towards that kettle of fish??....

Brutality to its extend.......our responsibility towards victims!

Domestic violence is one of the diverse issues our society is contending with. Violence against women with emphasis on acid & kerosene burn victims is one of the most barbaric issue .Everyday we read about these incidents and then what do we do? As a human being, we must adhere to the responsibility towards the victims who luckily survived but unfortunately have to cope with the consequences.

Saira Liaqat, Before

Saira Liaqat, before and after acid attack

Siara Liaqat was in her teen age when she got married to a relative on paper but the families had agreed she wouldn't live with him until she finished school. Within months, though, the man started demanding she should start living with him. One inauspicious day of  July 2003, he showed up at t her house with a package and drenched her face with acid. It parched much of her face, blinded her right eye, and seriously weakened her left one. Acid has erased any resemblance to the pretty girl of the past, but it has not crushed her spirit

Saira Liaqat, After surgical procedure

Fortuitously, she got help from  Depilex Smileagain Foundation through Masarrat Misbah, head of Pakistan's well-known Depilex salon chain.  She has not only undergone 18 surgical procedures but also working as a beautician at the Lahore's Depilex location. She always wanted to be a beautician and now trained by Misbah, she will soon be establishing her own parlour.  Her husband is still on trail and she is waiting to receive justice.  She got lucky to get in contact with Misbah but there are numerous victims who are waiting for help and it is our duty and obligation towards those as we belong to a mankind where people like Misbah do exist.

The food Crisis in Pakistan.....Lasting consequences of Flood

Floods, earthquakes and rains are all natural disasters.  We cannot control it but our country is not only enduring these calamities but also with the after effects of the worst floods of Pakistan’s history which destroyed the crops, irrigation and transportation system in all provinces. In result Pakistan will be facing the biggest food crises in upcoming years as well as millions of people are shelter less, in need of emergency food and basic necessities.

Experts warn that the food crisis would blow-up into a long-term problem if farmers can't get the seeds, draft animals and irrigation repairs they need for the fall planting of wheat, the nation's most important crop.   Government of Pakistan declares an estimate of 23% of current crops destroyed due to floods.  Stored wheat saved for food stocks and further seedling has rotted and wasted because poor farmers didn’t have the resources to keep it dry.  The landlords blow up the small barrages and dig holes to prevent their land and flood the lands and crops of those unfortunate who didn’t have access to resources. Many of those brutal and vicious landowners are associated with the Government but no further actions were taken.

Pakistan, previously heavily reliant on agriculture, is now experiencing severe shortages in food and clean water. Such far flung shortages are leading to malnutrition, especially in children. Martin Mogwanja, UN humanitarian coordinator said, “If nothing is done, an estimated 72,000 children, currently affected by severe malnutrition in the flood-affected areas, are at high risk of death.”

“Even before the floods, in Pakistan, a nation of 175 million people, 77 million were hungry, 45 million malnourished and 36 percent of the population was below the poverty line,” according to a new book on Pakistan's food problems published by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

It will take decades to mend and bring back the economics of Pakistan where it was standing and the time will only heal if we stand up as a nation.  May God gives us strength to overcome the loss.