Paris attack
MUCH of the world is reacting in shock and grief over the massacre at the offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in Paris on Wednesday. Nevertheless, regrettably enough, some are still trying to contextualise the attack by bringing in the larger issue of provocation in matters of faith, extremist Islamists` demonstrated tendency to resort to violence in such situations, and the marginalisation from the mainstream that Muslims in many countries feel despite being perfectly law-abiding. Of these people, there is a simple question to be asked: in choosing to adopt such an abhorrent method of voicing their disapproval of the publication`s editorial choices, did the perpetrators of the attack do their religion and its 1.6 billion adherents any sort of positive service? Or have their actions poured yet more fuel on the fires of prejudice and fear that are lighting up in many parts of the West regarding the inherent `otherness` of Muslims? In the minds of those who are neither Muslim nor immigrants from Muslim countries, did the three gunmen’s decisions do anything to further the fact that the ones responsible are merely a minority of violent extremists, and not the overwhelmingly peaceful majority or the system of belief itself? Obviously, the answer is no. Once again, Islam and Muslims are in the spotlight, and once again, it is for all the wrong reasons.
That strong denunciations are coming from Muslim sources too is exactly as it should be. It is fitting that the Al-Azhar University in Cairo called the attack `criminal` and reiterated that Islam denounces `any violence`, while the Arab League has also condemned the massacre, echoing Pope Francis who called it `abominable`. But much more needs to be said and done, particularly given the deep divisions that are springing up between Muslims and non-Muslims in the West.
This latest in a string of atrocities, the perpetrators of which claim refuge in religion, was certainly not the will of the majority, and neither does it reflect their mindset. A large number of commentators and ordinary people across the world are clear enough thinkers to refrain from the temptation -led by fear of tarring all with the same detestable brush. Nevertheless, amongst many others, there is unease; there is a growing lack of understanding of the way the religion is being misused and misquoted by fringe extremist elements. If further evidence were needed, attention only has to be paid to what is happening in Germany, where thousands have participated in anti-immigrant demonstrations. This is the reality that Muslim societies and countries need to recognise, and counter. The push back can only come from what is within their own purview: inculcating tolerance, clamping down on extremist tendencies, and controlling violence in their own societies, thus giving the signal that assaults such as that in Paris are universally, utterly, indefensible.
The core challenge
THE year recently concluded saw several lows for the country; among these was the rampant, seemingly unstoppable march of polio. Nearly 300 cases were reported in the country in 2014, said to be the highest number since 1998. Though the state has never given polio eradication or other health issues the attention they deserve, it is also true that the government’s efforts were stymied by an incredibly fragile security situation. Even so, there seems to be some hope on the horizon in 2015. As reported in this paper, the federal government is all set for the countrywide launch of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) from July, which will be included in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation.
This particular vaccine, said to be effective in combating polio, is already in use in some parts of the country, including Balochistan and Fata. Though it is a costly vaccine, it will fortunately be provided free of cost to Pakistan till 2018. Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, will bear the cost while China has provided technical and logistical support.
Though terrorism is no doubt Pakistan’s biggest present challenge, the fight against polio must be joined concurrently. The tally of cases recorded last year must be reduced significantly and for this to happen polio must feature significantly on the national agenda.
The introduction of the IPV is a welcome development, but brings its own challenges. Though the vaccine`s high cost will be covered for the next few years, it must be ensured that there is enough trained manpower to administer the injectable vaccine. Also, we must not forget that whether the health authorities are administering the injectable or the oral polio vaccine, the core challenge remains the same: accessing all the target children. The method of administration is indeed important, but getting to all the children in violence-prone and remote areas is equally so, as is countering harmful and baseless propaganda against the vaccine spread by obscurantist quarters. While moulding its counterterrorism strategy, the state needs to prioritise the safety of vaccinators. Pakistan indeed remains polio’s final battleground. The new year provides the government a fresh opportunity to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and that polio is eradicated from this country as soon as possible.
Water filtration plants
A STRING of reverse osmosis (RO) water desalination plants has been installed across the province of Sindh in what must be one of the most energetic initiatives undertaken by the provincial government. The latest plant was inaugurated in Mithi, Tharparkar, by former president and co-chairman of the PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, accompanied by one of his daughters who was shown prominently in all the promotional photographs released after the event had taken place. Salutary rhetoric accompanies the photographs, announcing that the latest project is one in a line of 750 such plants to be set up in Tharparkar, and declaring the plant to be `Asia`s largest solar RO plant`, with a capacity to filter almost eight million litres of water every day.
Over the years, so many such plants have been installed across Sindh that one loses count, and almost all of them appear to be sourced from the same company.
Providing clean drinking water to the people is an important priority without doubt. But it is also important to ask a few basic questions regarding these plants. For one, the filter on these plants is the main cost, and needs to be changed every few months. Whose responsibility is it, under the contractual terms on which the plants are being procured, to monitor and replace the filter and bear the costs of doing so? Given how high-maintenance these plants are, exactly whose responsibility is it to keep them in operational condition, and how well is that party discharging that obligation? If utilised properly, there is no doubt that RO plants can help provide clean drinking water to the people of Sindh. But considering the growing investment that the provincial government is making in high-maintenance plants of this sort, the need for more disclosure regarding their maintenance contracts and records is becoming increasingly urgent. Somebody in the provincial assembly should take the lead by asking for disclosure of the maintenance contracts and operational status of all the plants installed thus far.