Recent Issues In Rape Cases & Child Rights In Pakistan.

An Interactive article by Dr Meher Zaidi

Pakistan's media is now reporting rape, gang  rape cases more frequently. This is a good effort to bring such damaging social issues to the fore and make public and government aware of these  crimes against humanity.
The real benefit of such reporting will only occur if the judiciary and lawgivers realize that the latest methods of collection of evidence, making dedicated , safe rape reporting centers in hospitals with one window operation, streamlining police action with judicial action in favor of the rape survivor is done finally.
These issues can be discussed in the light of three cases and news making headlines in the last one week only.

The Muzaffargarh rape case where a woman  burnt herself in protest is the case in point for collection of evidence as a procedure to be essentially done by the law enforcement agency under routine law to protect the right of the survivor and the citizen by the state.The streamlining of this aspect for providing justice is the responsibility of both the law makers and the judiciary.This is highlighted by the fact that now the Supreme court bench is stuck against a wall as there was no medico-legal examination done and the victim burnt herself to death as a protest against the police who let go the rapist free on its own will.The minister for interior Punjab also said in a statement that rape had not occurred. He had no basis to say this except that the local police reported this.This was not based on medico-legal evidence which is essential to provide justice.This case should now be taken as a case for making collection of medico-legal evidence an essential action by the state for prosecution.
The next step should be make one window rape centers for collection of evidence and police reporting in major hospitals of the country.The rape evidence collection forms as submitted by War Against Rape should replace the old forms as the old ones are incomplete and do not fulfill the requirement for justice.The permission of DNA evidence as part of the evidence should be mandatory new law by the law givers and the present Supreme court judiciary who should be proactive in making opinion for this as the above case has shown that not collecting evidence denies justice to the victim and survivor both.The victim's death  proves that DNA evidence is necessary for providing justice. This has nothing to do with Shariah and Maulana Sheerani's personal point of view itself is un- Islamic and non-Shariat. The Council of Isl amic Ideology should be abolished as it has no institutional opinion and has run its retrogressive role as envisaged by a martial law government to further its aims and tendencies. http://www.wluml.org/node/297
Collection of evidence should be a scientific procedure, non-biased and performed by officers and doctors trained and sensitive to the victim/survivor's needs.
The importance of DNA testing also is evident from the fact that rape is a complex crime and providing justice is solely proving that it has occurred. Even if Islamic/Shariat courts are a part of judicial system this DNA collection  will be a facilitator in providing justice.
If the victim has died it does not mean that justice should not be the aim of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

A five year old girl is also raped and she cannot provide evidence as a child who is physically assaulted is under severe psychological trauma. To provide such a case justice again DNA evidence.and collection of evidence by a trained team is essential.As most of the survivors/victims are poor it should be tried by anti- terrorist court with special prosecutor for such cases.This will speed up the process. http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/580/strengthening-medico-legal-evidence/

A case of a young girl given in Swara by panchayat in Muhammadpur, Chiniot,where she was given in forced Nikah twice by the perpetrators, gang raped, and the tied to tree naked in full view of the village is another strong case for the jurors as it spreads fear in society and makes the state look weak. Such cases should be tried in anti-terrorist court for speedy justice.
As Mukhtaran Mai emphasizes that such case are not registered and many a victims killed as a recent case of two sisters in Tehsil Jatoi in Punjab near to where Mai resides and where her case occurred, it is essential to make justice available at all levels by streamline procedures.

The other major issue of child rights is the recent statement by Maulana Sheerani, the chief ofCouncil of Islamic Ideology  to  allow child marriages and remove the law prohibiting child marriages.Universal declaration of child rights specifically forbids child marriages. Pakistan has signed all conventions and is under obligation to protect children.In universal declaration 18 years is the age limit for definition of a child. It has also been scientifically proven that the best age for having a child in females is 24 years. It is optimal for health of a woman also..As sexual education is not allowed in Pakistan schools, child marriage will only worsen the situation.Legitimizing child sexual assault by naming it marriage and also legitimizing in the name of religion is serious violation of child right. http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/1959-Declaration-of-the-Rights-of-the-Child.pdf
http://unfpa.org/endchildmarriage

Why Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chose the Non-Muslim face of Sindh.

Sindh has an ancient civilization Moenjodaro. This civilization has definitely left its mark on the subconscious mind of its ancient inhabitants who may have some descendants left to this day.

At the time of  birth of Pakistan a large Hindu population was living in Sindh and did not migrate to India like from the Punjab due to relatively placid and peaceful atmosphere prevalent in Sindh. Due to this tradition of living side by side ,a deep understanding and respect for customs and traditions has developed into the social consciousness.

With the advent of Pakistani Muslim identity and the state’s strong propaganda for an ideology, gradually an erosion has occurred where due to repeated martial laws and non-representative governments a deep rooted intolerance to non-Muslim identity is taking place in all of Pakistan.

As  Sindhi culture imbibes both Hindu traditions  and Muslim religious practices, it is not easy to present it in a pure Muslim way.The strong and colorful representation of non-Muslim tradition in dress, jewellery and dance forms an inherent part of this cultural representation.

The ghagra choli dress is one such example.The dances on shrines are another example of mixed cultural mileu. Both Hindus and Muslims are strong followers of Sufi saints such as Lal Shahbaaz Qalander and Sacchal Sarmast. There is no way these cultural influences can be separated.

With a strong push from militant organizations who are trying to legitimize their space in Pakistan ,Bilawal has deliberately chosen the non-muslim representation in the Sindh festival.This will establish his credentials as a liberal and also establish the importance of Sindh as a cultural heritage to be cherished and promoted in the world as Pakistan is being pushed and being made a pariah state in the world by Islamic militants.

There was a strong hue and cry from many here that vulgarity was being promoted in the name of Sindh culture but this kind of statement shows that young Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has chosen this deliberately to answer it as a battle call by extremists.He has shown that he is not mild and laid back and this is the side he wants to show the world.

As far as the damage to Moenjodaro done in the inauguration ceremony that is not documented as yet but that will be definite but extent maybe small when seen by experts.

Pakistan Happenings..A Vorticical Journey To Self Discovery Or Destruction.

This October it is becoming very clear what the many varied cracks are there in full view in Pakistani political and societal levels. Baluchistan post Awaran earthquake disaster has made it clear that there is  a wide gap and animosity between the army and the seperatists? Militants in hiding.The tragic remote control bombings of Jafferabad express shows how vulnerable an average Balochi has become to the evil machinations of the terrorists.The people are at their mercy , left alone by the state and its machinery which tries in vain to give a semblance of normalcy and "everything under control" to the outside "viewers". So far no solution is found to the "Balochistan" problem.
Post Peshawar church bombings and Qissa Khwani bazar disaster, KPK also stands on very shifting ground. As its new , on a learning curve, government tries to grasp again in vain, the volatile and confusing situation, questions again arise in the minds of the ordinary citizen, when will peace return. For whatever worth the media proclaimed statements of some militants show that they only wants talks on rheir terms and do not guarantee any peace or respite to the commoner.
Karachi is again spinning in a vortex. Some thugs, thieves caught but others with extortion chits and bullets to match spring up anew.The operation goes on with some successes like catching gangsters or some arms consignments but political party workers also suffer disappearances and violence.A big megapolis is again left on the wishes and whims of a minister who is powerful but again on a learning curve.
For the time bieng it seems the most important foreign policy question is the "drone attacks". No informed articulation about post NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan and relations with India.
As the prime minister who now seems in ill health pushes hard to bring the economy in focus at least for the media, a dull haze hangs over Pakistan. A respected Geo news network journalist Ansar Abbasi says on prime time show with Malik on Dunya News "Who says Usama Bin Laden is a terrorist " .We the measly viewers look confusedly at the screen.

Towards Administrative Reforms, appointment of Chief Executives..Akhtar Ali.

Akhtar Ali http://developmentpakistan.blogspot.com/p/profileakhtar-ali.html  in his seminal book "The Political Economy of Pakistan, An Agenda for Reforms &Restructuring " published in 1995 writes " management& control of autonomous corporations & nationalized banks & DFIs present special problems and issues.Smaller mostly manufacturing operations have now been privatized and are therefore excluded from discussion here.
Autonomous corporations like PIA,WAPDA,OGDC etc& the government controlled Banks &DFIs like NBP and NDFC are not autonomous at all in reality.Interference in strategic and as well as mundane day to day operations is an established practice, both from ministries(Secretariat) and from the political leadership. This goes down to even task assignments, promotions, transfers and still in disciplinary matters.
The Prime minister clears and appoints  the chief  executives of these organizations.No standard or established procedure or requirement is there for such appointments. It is purely arbitrary and mostly political."
It seems that the PML N government has taken notice of this and has appointed a selection board for all such appointments. Ironically the military government of 1991 did not take heed of this although they followed alot of devolution processes to make decentralization possible.
He further suggests "De-politicization of appointment process of CEO, de-bureaucratization of corporation boards &making them more effective and guarantee of tenure of the CEOs."
(Book available with Royal Book Company, Pakistan)
The elected Nawaz Sharif government has rightly made economy, administrative reforms , restructuring and including private sector in its policy and economic inputs as top priorities. Mr Ahsan Iqbal is now heading the Planning Commission of Pakistan which will be making five year short term and further long term plans for projects according to their developmental needs.PML N government needs to further devolve powers to people through local governments as only that will bring about true administrative restructuring.

A New Pakistan?Mirror ,mirror on the wall!

11th May 2013 will be a very important day for Pakistan. Its political stewardship may show immense promise and focus or if the state succumbs to violent opposition to its system there maybe doom or gloom.
Pakistan Tehrike Insaaf led by Imran Khan ex cricketer turned politician has struggled 17 years and made a party mainly of young followers who want change and are sick and tired of same old faces in parliament and government promising much and delivering little to the people.his politics has matured much though his electoral language leaves much to be desired in terms of finesse and elegancal.He is on a whirlwind tour of the Punjab and Sindh and he gives hope for change of the system as he defines taking down the power of MPA, MNA ,patwari, Thana and the other power circles which run the beleagured Pakistani administrative set up.Today in Jacobabad he promises a new municipal/local bodies set up which empowers the community with education and health reforms.His main thrust is towards rooting out corruption in government and recovering lost money. He may gain some votes in urban areas like Karachi, Lahore ,Hyderabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa which may bring his party into eleectoral politics. His manifesto though covers a wide range of issues will be tested fully only if he gains administrative power.http://www.insaf.pk/docs/PTImanifesto.pdf
His focus of opposition are the Mian Sharif brothers of the Pakistan Muslim League -N whose government in the Punjab has been successful despite the acute and lancinating load shedding imposed on this province by the PPP led federal government. The hyperactive previous chief minister mian Shahbaz Sharif has kept most of the ministries with himself which speaks volumes for the delegation of powers and devolution which is so essential for modern statecraft. However , Mian Nawaz Sharif bieng the scion of a business family understands the politics of economic progress. The strength of this party is mainly business and economic  bringing Pakistan much needed stability. http://www.pmln.org/pmln-manifesto-englishurdu/
The Pakistan Muslim League Quaid e Azam has also gained a large chunk of votes in the 2008.In Musharraf's regime they did deliver on some issues as due to help in aid because of war on terror Pakistan gained a lot of financial help . This also showed their ability to see in line with the establishment which the PML-N refuses to do in their independent status.This party may gain more seats this time but for PTI which is planning to wrench seats from PML-N but may dmage PML-Q also in the process.http://pml.org.pk/about/manifesto/
So the story goes....
Mirror Mirror on the wall
Who is the fairest of
 'em all?

A Mother's Prayer...Maa Ki Dua.

Poem by Meherzaidi

Aye Allah Parwardigaar Pak Rab
Meri nanhi si gudrya sada sukhi rahe

Aye hamd ke haqdaar Paalenhaar
yeh naari har aanch se bachi rahe

Eishwar sab ko deney waaley
Is ke bhojan mein koi na kami rahe

Har Qismet ko chamkane waaley
Meri gudriya sone chandi mein sajee rahe

Aye merey Paak Rabb e Ghani
Meri gudriya har dam sada sukhee rahe

(This poem was written in Urdu,Roman Font)

English Translation:

O Allah, The Nurturer, Pristine Maker
May my little doll be happy forever

O,Praiseworthy, Divine Creator
May this girl be saved from Fire

Eishwar, Giver to all and sundry
May your Ganga never run dry

O Shiner of all true fates
May my doll be adorned by your Grace

O my Pristine Lord of Benevolance
May her world be filled by Your Reverence

(I wrote this poem in Urdu in 'Hamd' form,praise poetry to Allah and 'Dua' ,poetry asking God's benovelence in 'Hindustani'Urdu'.India is known as 'Hindustan' in vernacular although it is home to the second largest Muslim community after Indonesia and Bangladesh.The divisions based on religion are no longer relevant to peace in the world especially the subcontinent of South Asia. Pakistan is also multicultural and multi - religious country but is seeing rampant violence and death due to intolerance which is not feasible for modern existence as a country. It should shun its sole claim to Muslim majority and should cultivate tolerance, egalitarian justice and peaceful coexistence for a better future for its young ones.)

Pakistan Happenings..A Hot December.

I reject the cynical view that politics is a dirty business. 
Richard M. Nixon

As the first cold wind blows in Karachi after a winter shower and warm december, the shocking news of an attack on Peshawar airport is on television.The Tehrike Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has accepted the attack with a complicated name mentioning sending the infidels to hell in Arabic as reported by Salim Safi on Geo News.
no infidels died except the said militants themselves and of course innocent people who were taken unawares. The largest number of injured were innocent people including women and children who were residing near the airport.
Why did the Taliban attempt this failed attack on airport. Well, the Pakistan Air Force base is next door and this was their target.By the way a flight for Saudi Arabia was ready also at the airport and if the people had died then were they fitting the infidels going to hell definition?
This attack was anticipated according to Rahman Malik, the interior minister. Only yesterday, a US government official had appreciated the army's decision to take action in tribal areas against militants. The airbase was the first logical target. Thank God it failed and hope that now the army takes a sustained operation against them.
Well, just as we Karachiites were reeling from a paralysis of sorts due to peaceful protests which literary paralysed the city against a Supreme Court summon to Mr Altaf Hussain, leader of MQM to present himself in court on 7th January, this strange, ironic twist in fate grabbed our attention. The irony is that Haji Adeel, on whose petition Mr Altaf Hussain is facing this disgrace and almost strange order from the court is  a minister of KPK where the attack was made. God has strange ,hidden methods.
Let us see if sense prevails and Mr Altaf Hussain offers complete and unconditional apology to the court and diffuses the inflammable situation or takes the other path.Well, the incoming news is that the party or its followers are calling it misguided justice.Let us keep our fingers crossed that nothing horrible happens.from the looks of it as to what is actually happening in Sindh, things appear grim.The nationalists and Functional Muslim Leaguers are giving catcalls that the Pakistan Peoples Party is planning rigging of elections. Strange that only a few days ago they were appreciating the Election Commission Of Pakistan as a sovereign body.The issue of constituency delimitation only in Karachi has also been intelligently taken up by the editor Dawn (http://dawn.com/2012/12/15/delimitation-exercise/ ).He suggests that this exercise should be done after the elections and a fresh census all over Pakistan.
The drama that was so popular in Pakistan ,Ishqe Mamnu ends on  a tragic note but it seems that foreign dramas on prime time Pakistani television are here to stay. It only seems fair that the demand of Pakistan media industry that they be not aired on prime time is justified whether from their cultural or moral demands and standards or because of economic survival reasons for Pakistani dramas.In words of Hillary Clinton,

The worst thing that can happen in a democracy - as well as in an individual's life - is to become cynical about the future and lose hope. 

We must not lose hope this December.
http://literarymusings-meer.blogspot.com/2010/10/karachia-vampire-city.html

I join the protest against the targetted killings of Shias in Karachi, Baluchistan and Gilgit this year again in large numbers.
http://literarymusings-meer.blogspot.com/2009/12/noha-ba-kunankarachi-december-2009.html