Side- effect (18 dead women)

Source: The News International

Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=199103

Friday, September 18, 2009

Harris Khalique

Our newspapers have shrunk and television screens have expanded, virtually. I avoid quoting long passages in my already restricted column space for it becomes harder to express yourself in even fewer words. But the death of 18 women in Karachi the other day, aptly called "Crushed by poverty" by a national daily, warrants a quote from the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, promulgated in 1973 and controversially amended 17 times since. This is not the article as popularly quoted as articles 6, 19 or 242 by the treasury and the opposition today, nor it is ever referred to by the clergy while they keep beating the trumpet of the Objectives Resolution. Martial rule is illegitimate according to the constitution anyway and even the amendments couldn't prevent it from being seen otherwise. Its fundamental illegality and iniquitousness precludes us from even asking martial rulers about any rights or privileges of the citizens of Pakistan. Perhaps the political leadership also has torn those pages out from the copies of the constitution they carry on which this article is inscribed.

This is Article 38 and stays in the constitution as it is since adopted as a part of the constitution in 1973. It reads: "The State shall – (a) secure the well-being of the people, irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race, by raising their standard of living, by preventing the concentration of wealth and means of production and distribution in the hands of a few to the detriment of general interest and by ensuring equitable adjustment of rights between employers and employees, and landlords and tenants; (b) provide for all citizens, within the available resources of the country, facilities for work and adequate livelihood with reasonable rest and leisure; (c) provide for all persons employed in the service of Pakistan or otherwise, social security by compulsory social insurance or other means; (d) provide basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief, for all such citizens, irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race, as are permanently or temporarily unable to earn their livelihood on account of infirmity, sickness or unemployment; (e) reduce disparity in the income and earnings of individuals, including persons in the various classes of the service of Pakistan; and (f) eliminate riba as early as possible."
The 18 women who were killed in the stampede in downtown Karachi while trying to obtain wheat flour being distributed for free by a local businessman have their blood on the hands of the state of Pakistan; the state which is captured by the elite. A commentator had the gall to say on a television channel that people in our country have become too greedy. Some of the women who had flocked the place to get flour bags already had received their share. Brilliant! Isn't it? All values, morality and norms of civilised behaviour are to be observed by those who are suffering at the hands of poverty, destitution and insecurity. The nation is eclipsed by the long dark shadow of this ogre, the rich and the powerful elite of Pakistan. The feudal lords, mafia bosses disguised as politicians, land grabbers, sugar barons, wheat and rice hoarders, smugglers, swindlers and cheats call the shots in this country. Their interests are guarded by competent civil servants and able-bodied men in security agencies.

There is a Farsi proverb, "Marg-i-Anboh Jashne Darad (It is also a celebration when all are perishing). Last few days are left of the holy month. Enjoy your iftar dinners, my readers.

The writer is an Islamabad-based poet and rights campaigner. Email: harris@spopk .org