Extremism in action
January 2nd, 2013
Extremism is one thing as a debatable philosophy, and quite another in its barbaric, physical manifestation. Two examples of the latter, as the world exited 2012, were particularly blood-curdling. The Pakistani Taliban killed the 22 Levies they had abducted, and in Nigeria, Boko Haram marauders slit the throats of a number of men, women and children. The Taliban and Boko Haram both claim to be fighting for causes they deem Islamic, yet farthest from their philosophy is that spirit of compassion which for so many Muslims across the world is fundamental to Islamic teachings.
There is a warped logic at play here. Even if the Taliban considered the Muslim Levies ‘infidels’, and thus deserving of death in their eyes, which Islamic law, especially in early examples, justifies the murder of non-Muslim prisoners of war? They have not stopped there. The Taliban have displayed the remains of their victims as trophies and videotaped executions as a chilling message. Even their arch enemies, no angels when it comes to the rights of prisoners of war (e.g. America in Guantanamo), prefer to hide their excesses.
In the subcontinent, none of the leading Islamic scholars — including Sayyid Ahmad Barelvi, Maulana Maudoodi and the entire Deoband group — ever advocated mass slaughter to establish Sharia rule. The examples of PoWs’ murder came to Pakistan in the wake of the Afghan war when some foreign militants killed Soviet prisoners. But that was rare and no mainstream militant group declared this its official policy. The Taliban’s record shows there is nothing sacred for them — schools, mosques, shrines, hospitals, religious processions, peace jirgas or funerals. Their aim is to sow terror as they are averse to employing peaceful means to gain power. In Nigeria, the Boko Haram is opposed to ‘Western’ education, but the methods it employs to resist it, take a leaf out of the barbarism prevalent in mediaeval times. In Pakistan it’s a matter of deep shame that civil society has maintained silence on these depredations, while the mainstream ulema have chosen to look the other way, some because they approve of this barbarism, others out of fear.
Measles epidemic
January 2nd, 2013
The measles epidemic raging across parts of Sindh is cause for grave concern. While as per the Sindh government’s figures over 50 measles deaths have been reported in the province, some media reports on Tuesday gave a far higher figure — over 200 deaths in 2012 in Sindh alone — attributed to the World Health Organisation. Young children have been the biggest victims of the highly infectious illness, especially those affected by the twin plagues of measles and malnourishment. Many experts have pointed to the unsatisfactory routine immunisation programme as the root cause of the problem. One study carried out by senior doctors says only 55 per cent of children surveyed in Karachi were found to be immunised.
If that is the case in the metropolis, it is not wrong to assume that the situation is much worse in smaller towns. Malnourished children are more susceptible to ailments like measles and ensuing complications such as pneumonia and diarrhoea. The cold weather has only added to the children’s vulnerability.
Ideally, 90 per cent of children in a locality should be immunised to halt the spread of measles. But many doctors remain sceptical of government claims that a satisfactory percentage of children have been vaccinated. Their scepticism is not without reason, for if the immunisation campaigns had been thorough such a high number of deaths would not have been reported. A multi-pronged response is needed to deal with the crisis. Immunisation campaigns need to be carried out in all affected areas while the state must publicise the importance of vaccinating children, both at nine and 15 months. Secondly, it is the parents’ responsibility to get their offspring immunised. There have been reports indicating that some parents have refused, supposedly influenced by the anti-polio propaganda or superstitious beliefs.
Here community leaders and religious figures should step in to dispel the people’s apprehensions and give a boost to the anti-measles campaign. Also, as we have said before, while anti-polio efforts need the state’s full focus, given the nature of the threat, the authorities must ensure that the routine immunisation programme does not fall by the wayside in the process.
Different poll dates?
January 2nd, 2013
The rules governing how and when elections are to be held can sometimes throw up surprises, if only because an often-interrupted democracy has rendered the rules not well under-stood. As reported in this newspaper yesterday, the secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan, Ishtiak Ahmed, has acknowledged that if the Punjab chief min-ister does not request the Punjab Assembly be dissolved around the same time the National Assembly is, the country could have separate poll dates: one for the National Assembly; another for Punjab. The seeming anomaly is because the life of a particular assembly is counted from the day the first session is convened — not when the election is held. Because the National Assembly convened first in 2008, the Punjab Assembly has several weeks extra before its own five-year term expires.
The PPP and the PML-N are aware of the seeming lacuna and the PML-N has quietly indicated that it will not give up its advantage — a political government at the helm in Punjab after a neutral caretaker government is installed in the centre can give the PML-N an electoral edge in the province — without some concessions from the PPP. While loath to share what quid pro quo the party is demanding, the PML-N likely wants a say in when the National Assembly elections are called and the selection of a caretaker prime minister acceptable to it. The negotiation is confined to Punjab because while the other provincial assemblies also first convened after the National Assembly in 2008, the PPP is part of the government in the other provinces. A uniform date for elections would help the cause of free and fair elections, and prevent a repeat of 1988 when the IJI made suspicious inroads in the provincial assembly elections after being swept aside by the PPP in the National Assembly election days earlier.