Dangerous doings
February 21st, 2011
How far away is Pakistan from its next tryst with disaster? Another attack on foreign soil launched from Pakistan would inevitably leave the country still more isolated and contribute to the notion that it has become the world’s centre of terrorist activity. For this reason, a recent statement by the director of the US National Counterterrorism Centre before a Senate intelligence hearing that the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) could strike in the US and Europe — as it had in Mumbai in 2008 — should not be dismissed as an example of American paranoia. If we look at the matter with any degree of honesty, we all know there are groups operating in our midst who present a real danger, not only to the outside world but also to us. Terrorist attacks and suspicions of the involvement of Pakistani groups damage us — in terms of our international standing, in terms of our economy and in terms of credibility.
We need to think more carefully about why we continue to allow the LeT and other forces to function. There can be little doubt that our intelligence agencies and security forces know exactly what kind of activity they are involved in. It is not just terrorist violence but also their preaching of hatred that presents a threat. By doing so, they fan extremism and also, directly or indirectly, encourage other groups which have been involved in the various attacks we have seen in our own country. It seems to be an act of self-destruction to allow these outfits to function, and, in some cases, run huge centres — in Punjab and elsewhere — from where they conduct their activities. The risk we run by pursuing this policy is great. Sooner or later, some other act of militancy will take place, adding to the threat that already endangers our country more than any other. We must act to push it away and save ourselves from a plunge into a still greater state of crisis, as the impression that Pakistan promotes militancy grows more firmly entrenched in the world’s collective mind.
Justice for rape victims
February 21st, 2011
At a press conference in Karachi, representatives of War Against Rape (WAR) revealed the shocking statistic that only three per cent of rape cases in the city result in convictions against the accused. This absurdly low conviction rate is also an indictment of the entire system, including the police, prosecutors and a public that seems not to be too bothered by the issue. There are many reforms that need to be immediately instituted if rape survivors are to be given justice.
The problem starts with rape victims trying to file FIRs. In far too many cases, the police choose not to register an FIR immediately, instead passing judgment on the character of the victim. This allows alleged culprits enough time to make a run for it and evade justice. Even if an FIR is registered, there are major technological hurdles to securing a conviction. The victim’s testimony alone is rarely enough to convince judges. But corroborating evidence in the form of medico-legal examinations is not always forthcoming. DNA testing is still a rarity in Pakistan and so many rape cases result in acquittals simply because of lack of evidence. This leads to rape survivors often choosing to accept out-of-court settlements rather than relying on a fickle justice system. Ideally, the guilty should not be allowed to avoid jail time with an out-of-court settlement.
Societal attitudes, too, need to be changed to improve the rate of convictions in rape cases. The reason why the police are quick to label rape survivors as morally loose women or sex workers is because they, like the rest of the country, have fallen victim to religious propaganda. The lack of female policemen, prosecutors and judges — in a society which doesn’t encourage women to take up these professions — also contributes to the low conviction rate. This denial of justice should shock our conscience and lead to immediate action so rape victims can have their day in court.
Floods and food
February 21st, 2011
The lifeline offered to Pakistan’s flood victims through WFP food distribution programmes has been severed and is in danger of being suspended entirely. The agency suffers a shortfall of $548 million and has been unable to keep up food supplies in flood-hit areas — in part due to procurement issues caused by the rising global prices of food. The WFP had been hit earlier by terrorism, notably a suicide bombing in December 2010 near a food handout point at Khar in Bajaur Agency, which killed 45 people and forced a suspension of operations in the area. While many flood victims have been able to return to their homes, an estimated 600,000 remain displaced in Balochistan while water still stands in some villages in Sindh. While the cash now being handed out by the WFP to allow victims to purchase their own food will bring some benefits, it will also pose problems for many households still dependent on the food they received.
Indeed, especially from Sindh, where the floods have led to a greater assessments of social realities and more interest from international agencies, there is evidence that people had been in acute need of food even before the flood. A Sindh government survey, supported by Unicef, has found high levels of malnutrition among children and women. Experts engaged in relief work in the province believe this is the result of years of poverty and deprivation, rather than of the flood alone.
Groups in the country have also pointed out that official policies with regard to flood victims have been deeply flawed. The delays in repairing infrastructure, lack of transparency in the distribution of aid and issues with the handing out of compensation to those whose homes have been damaged rank among the issues listed. While factors such as the global recession have played a role in funding constraints, it is conceivable that perceptions about Pakistan’s ability to deal with crises or ensure accountability have contributed to this — and these are matters we need to give serious thought to as we ponder our ability to deal with fresh catastrophe in the future.