I wrote an opinion piece for The News back on March 19, 2014 titled “Thar will repeat itself”, arguing that the chronic, criminal negligence of the authorities is both a systematic and a systemic issue. Hundreds perished in the parched sands of Thar earlier in the year, finally prompting the Sindh government, which up until that point was shrouded in a blanket of fierce denial and indifference, to lumber lackadaisically into delayed, lethargic action.
It is then no surprise that faced with a similar crisis seven months later, the series of events is largely the same. Two weeks ago Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah first denied the reports, saying that the deaths had resulted from maternity-related complications, and none from shortage of food. For the time being, let us set aside the fact that the latest child who succumbed to this indifference was Rasheed Samijo of Chachro, who died at 18 months, not as a newborn from maternity issues. The implicit callousness in the statement notwithstanding, he also stated that the government could not be held responsible for the situation in Tharparkar. He announced the formation of two committees, as well as several measures including a nutrition program for children, vaccinations and treatment for livestock, establishment of a reverse osmosis plant, midwifery training for Lady Health Workers (LHWs), and several other initiatives.
The tacit acceptance of the dire situation holds the CM complicit in the deaths of 177 children in 55 days. But as the gentleman says, none of it is the government’s fault, it is, in fact, the fault of the former Sindh health minister and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Coordination Committee member, Dr Saghir Ahmed, who held the portfolio since 2001. Perhaps the chief minister forgot the fact while the ministry portfolio may have been held by an MQM politician, the governance is still under the CM’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led coalition. If Dr Saghir is to blame, then by association, it is absolutely the government’s fault, with the honorable Chief Minister at the apex of the pyramid of accountability to the people.
While these measures are commendable, time will tell whether any see the light of day. The problem is that these are long-term solutions, efforts which will take months and years to complete, and then start providing the return on investment. A starving child, or an emaciated mother has little use for plans that will materialize a year down the line. CM Shah claims that Mithi has the best medical services in the region, after Karachi and Hyderabad. However, the hospital is a small focal point in Mithi, catering to the health needs of 19,638 square kilometers of Tharparkar district.
More importantly, the area urgently needs solutions to tackle the famine and drought. Dunya News ran a report on Tuesday that hundreds of villages in the district had zero access to basic facilities like clean water and food. More critically, the promised wheat meant for distribution was allegedly being sold off by officials. Coupled with the rapidly changing weather conditions, and the fact that most wells have dried up, Tharparkar is seeing mass migrations, as the population scurries with famine nipping at its heels.
The ceremony at Wagah border, attracting an even larger crowd the day after a devastating suicide attack left 60 dead, is a temporary slip into false pretenses and inflated patriotism. The real Pakistan, huddled, hungry, thirsty, hides in plain sight, most recently in the sands of Thar. It is inevitable then that Thar would have repeated itself, because this Pakistan is largely ignored, marginalized, and forgotten. The cost of human life in the deserts of Thar is directly proportional to the individual’s net worth, perceived importance, and political connections. Government malfeasance is harsh public reality, compounded by rampant incompetence, stark indifference, and an odd penchant to continue playing the political blame game, even with children’s lives at stake.
In March, I said this was criminal negligence of the criminally negligent. The true predicament of the matter is that the Chief Minister, the man who is ultimately responsible for citizen’s social contract with the state, is in denial, pointing fingers, shifting blame, and oblivious to the ground reality. Accountability is a cornerstone of governance, but if the people at the top, those responsible for said transparency, are themselves suspect, the system cannot function. The “people’s government” has failed it’s people, and no amount of political rallies, Bilawal launches, or Sindh Festivals can make up for the fact that the political zenith in the province couldn’t be least bothered when it comes to providing even the most basic needs to the people.
The author is a journalist and a development professional, and holds a master’s degree in strategic communications from Ithaca College, NY, USA.
Email: zeeshan[dot]salahuddin[at]gmail.com
Twitter: @zeesalahuddin
It is then no surprise that faced with a similar crisis seven months later, the series of events is largely the same. Two weeks ago Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah first denied the reports, saying that the deaths had resulted from maternity-related complications, and none from shortage of food. For the time being, let us set aside the fact that the latest child who succumbed to this indifference was Rasheed Samijo of Chachro, who died at 18 months, not as a newborn from maternity issues. The implicit callousness in the statement notwithstanding, he also stated that the government could not be held responsible for the situation in Tharparkar. He announced the formation of two committees, as well as several measures including a nutrition program for children, vaccinations and treatment for livestock, establishment of a reverse osmosis plant, midwifery training for Lady Health Workers (LHWs), and several other initiatives.
The tacit acceptance of the dire situation holds the CM complicit in the deaths of 177 children in 55 days. But as the gentleman says, none of it is the government’s fault, it is, in fact, the fault of the former Sindh health minister and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Coordination Committee member, Dr Saghir Ahmed, who held the portfolio since 2001. Perhaps the chief minister forgot the fact while the ministry portfolio may have been held by an MQM politician, the governance is still under the CM’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led coalition. If Dr Saghir is to blame, then by association, it is absolutely the government’s fault, with the honorable Chief Minister at the apex of the pyramid of accountability to the people.
While these measures are commendable, time will tell whether any see the light of day. The problem is that these are long-term solutions, efforts which will take months and years to complete, and then start providing the return on investment. A starving child, or an emaciated mother has little use for plans that will materialize a year down the line. CM Shah claims that Mithi has the best medical services in the region, after Karachi and Hyderabad. However, the hospital is a small focal point in Mithi, catering to the health needs of 19,638 square kilometers of Tharparkar district.
Tharparkar is seeing mass migration
More importantly, the area urgently needs solutions to tackle the famine and drought. Dunya News ran a report on Tuesday that hundreds of villages in the district had zero access to basic facilities like clean water and food. More critically, the promised wheat meant for distribution was allegedly being sold off by officials. Coupled with the rapidly changing weather conditions, and the fact that most wells have dried up, Tharparkar is seeing mass migrations, as the population scurries with famine nipping at its heels.
The ceremony at Wagah border, attracting an even larger crowd the day after a devastating suicide attack left 60 dead, is a temporary slip into false pretenses and inflated patriotism. The real Pakistan, huddled, hungry, thirsty, hides in plain sight, most recently in the sands of Thar. It is inevitable then that Thar would have repeated itself, because this Pakistan is largely ignored, marginalized, and forgotten. The cost of human life in the deserts of Thar is directly proportional to the individual’s net worth, perceived importance, and political connections. Government malfeasance is harsh public reality, compounded by rampant incompetence, stark indifference, and an odd penchant to continue playing the political blame game, even with children’s lives at stake.
In March, I said this was criminal negligence of the criminally negligent. The true predicament of the matter is that the Chief Minister, the man who is ultimately responsible for citizen’s social contract with the state, is in denial, pointing fingers, shifting blame, and oblivious to the ground reality. Accountability is a cornerstone of governance, but if the people at the top, those responsible for said transparency, are themselves suspect, the system cannot function. The “people’s government” has failed it’s people, and no amount of political rallies, Bilawal launches, or Sindh Festivals can make up for the fact that the political zenith in the province couldn’t be least bothered when it comes to providing even the most basic needs to the people.
The author is a journalist and a development professional, and holds a master’s degree in strategic communications from Ithaca College, NY, USA.
Email: zeeshan[dot]salahuddin[at]gmail.com
Twitter: @zeesalahuddin