Date: Monday,November 21st, 2016.
Poverty dropping
Ask the average person in the street if they felt that the level of poverty in Pakistan had decreased and the answer is likely to be a somewhat puzzled ‘No’. Ask a statistician the same question and the answer is likely to be an unequivocal ‘Yes’ — and for good reason. Measuring poverty is not just about the rupee in the pocket it is multidimensional, and changes shape all the time. There are several measures of poverty currently in play but the World Bank is regarded as having a reliable track record when it comes to interpreting poverty indices and its report titled ‘Making Growth Matter’ tells us that the people of Pakistan have seen not just a small reduction in levels of poverty but a substantial one.
The number of homes with a flush toilet moved from 24 percent in 2002 to 49 percent in 2014. Perhaps to the surprise of nobody motorcycle ownership has increased in the same period from 2 percent to 18 percent. Households are able to spend more of their income on non-food items. Although food insecurity is still endemic food security for many has increased, and there have been significant dietary changes as well with greater diversity. Poor people are spending less on ‘cheap’ calories and more on chicken, eggs and fish as well as milk products, likewise the proportion of their income spent on vegetable and fruit.
Millions remain undeniably poor, but the nature of poverty is changing and is perceptibly reduced across a broad span of indicators. There is greater congruity between rural and urban diets and consumption patterns. A part of this reduction will be because of successive government policies, though the impact on poverty levels of the current dispensation is too early to measure objectively. The WB report runs counter to the stereotypical perception that Pakistan is an irredeemable basket case set on a steady spiral downwards. Seeking to create self-fulfilling prophecies serves nobody well, and broadens universal misperceptions both at home and abroad. Poverty is reducing. It is unlikely to be eradicated and the effects of reduction are going to be uneven and unequal. Rich we are not, less poor we are.
Misbahul Haq 50 not out
The Christchurch Test was Misbahul Haq’s 50th as Pakistan’s captain and another feather in the cap for the 42 year-old who has now reached unchartered territory for country’s Test leaders.
Misbah started his reign six years ago on the back of the spot-fixing scandal crisis and banning of his predecessor Salman Butt. After a hard fought draw in his debut series as captain — two Tests versus South Africa in the UAE — he led Pakistan to series wins against New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before the historic sweep of the then world number one Test team England in the UAE.
After a lean period following the win against England, Misbah took the team to another run which started with a series win over Australia in the UAE followed by success in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the 2014-15 season. The high profile tour of England — earlier this year — was a success for the middle-order batsman who was named the man-of-the-series more for his inspiring leadership than batting. Before squaring the series with England, Pakistan defeated them 2-0 in the UAE while the West Indians also tasted a 2-1 series defeat last month.
Misbah has remained a calming influence on the team and has made the most of his limitations as a batsman making vital contributions from his number five spot in the batting order.
For six years he has kept the team together, his last challenge is to hold the fort in New Zealand and Australia, as exhibited in the Christchurch Test, Pakistan have one final battle and a tough one at that under Misbah, will there be a heroic exit in store or will Misbah fade away? We hope it is indeed heroic since he deserves a rousing send-off.
Internet freedom
There is no end to the limitations placed on the Pakistani people, be it through ease of traditional practice, classist, bureaucratic and preferential systems, or a whole slew of other restrictions if you are a woman in this country. No different is the reality on cyberspace, which is used the world over as a medium to exercise freedom of expression. A report by a Washington DC firm, Freedom House, entitled Freedom on the Net 2016 ranked Pakistan in the bottom 10 countries for Internet freedom, based on obstacles to access, violations of user rights and limits to content. It also categorised Pakistan in the “not free” group of countries for Internet freedom. While only 18 per cent of the population is virtually connected, the expansion of Internet connectivity via 3G and 4G will mean more citizens subject themselves to yet more restrictions placed on them by the Government of Pakistan.
Disconcertingly, Pakistan beats out only a few countries on the ranking, some of which are communist, such as China, and ultra-conservative, such as Saudi Arabia. Ad hoc policies might be to blame; the government likes to exert prowess on media that it perceives as an insult to its institutions. Internet censorship is heavy and nonsensical at times, such as a nearly four-year blanket ban on YouTube for the existence of one video that was found offensive. If found unconstitutional, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority can proceed to internally blocking certain content. However, a ubiquitous ban is unreasonable, as Internet content offers viewpoints and exposure that can help our naive population to broaden its perspectives, which is not to say they should accept those alternative viewpoints. The Internet is an educational tool and must not be so restrictive, which can lead minds to develop biased world concepts. With the new Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, government surveillance is set to increase with potential violations of user privacy, which is most inopportune in a country that already exercises several forms of oppression towards its people.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2016.