TRADITIONAL GAMES WITH TRADITIONAL FOOD AT THE SERENITY RESORT, WHAT ELSE ONE NEEDS!

MAHTAB BASHIR
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

In mid 90’s, for the first time, I heard the blockbuster song “Video killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. Two decades later, my simple cell phone was replaced with a smart phone. In short, the recent decades have seen a dramatically accelerating pace in the development and adoption of new technologies. This rapid technological change is affecting almost every area of the economy, society
and culture. Meanwhile, this advancement has made people of all age and especially youngsters oblivion of traditional games our forefathers used to play.
 
Games and sports are one of the main sources of entertainment as well as physical fitness for people of any age. It helps in mental development of children and adolescents alike. But with this cutting edge technology, the traditional games of Pakistan – Gulli Danda, Kabaddi, Rassa Kashi, Desi Kushti, Bantay, Pithu Garam, Kokla Chapati, Chinjo, Chupan Chupai, Ghur Sawari, Ghur Dance, Naiza Bazi, Rassi Phalangna, Pakran Pakrai, Yassu Panju, Pugan Pugai and many more are nearly extinct.
 

There was a time when such games were an essential part of leisure activities and a source of unparalleled enjoyment. Due to the influence of TV, mobile phones and video games and inadequacy of playgrounds, today's children have lost touch with these games. These traditions that used to occupy an important place in our diverse culture are getting lost.
 
With an aim to revive these traditional games and to engage modern youth with them, Islamabad Council for Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) organized a traditional sports demonstration at The Serenity Resort, Shah Allah Ditta- where the natural beauty intrigues.
 
A string of colourful activities were held on Saturday, where people from different quarters overwhelmingly participated. A number of foreigners were also seen at the venue- that is believed to be more than 700 years old.
 
Youngsters, adolescents, middle aged all found involved in playing traditional games. Besides, traditional scrumptious food was served to the guests.
 

A day-long event was formally launched by Senator Barrister Saif and Sitara Ayaz who applauded the efforts of Shani Shah- a man behind the idea. They termed it a brain wave of a genius for revival of traditional games as well as food. They said these traditional games are not part of the past as many think; it must be carried on by us for our future posterity.
 
President, Islamabad Council for Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) and the host, Zeeshan Naqvi says, “To introduce these (traditional) games to the modern youth is the need of the hour. It will also help lessening the cultural onslaught. We will revive our cultural and traditional games as we are working on.”
 

General Secretary ICTSG Abu Zafar Sadiq says, “In first phase the Council has organized such events to sensitize youngsters about the cultural games in the federal capital. In next phase, we are going to spread our campaign at provincial level in days to come.”                   
The participants humbly urge all concerned to ensure the partaking of the present generation by creating more opportunities to revive traditional games.

ISLAMABAD TURNS F9 PARK INTO DRIVE-IN CINEMA

MAHTAB BASHIR

mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

Amid the global pandemic Covid-19, the civic agency Capital Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with Jazz launched first-ever Drive-in-Cinema at picturesque Fatima Jinnah Park (F9) on Friday (Dec, 18) to provide quality entertainment to the inflation ridden and covid19 feared residents of Federal Capital.     

The inaugural film- screened on the day was “Spiderman” just to give an impression that “revival of Urdu Film” and “Urdu or regional Languages” was not the brainwave of the organizers. Secondly, the entry ticket is at the fix rate of Rs. 1000. However, as the Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad stepped on the rostrum and suggested “It must be Rs.50 for everyone, I’ve requested to,”- seems not taken seriously.       

The glitzy event was attended by the elitists, fashionistas of Isloo where vintage cars were also brought in.     

The initiative was a collaboration of Jazz, Pakistan's number one 4G operator and the largest internet and broadband service provider, Activemedia and the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Following the inauguration, the audience enjoyed popular movies in a safe and comfortable environment following all COVID-19 SOPs.

Visitors were given space to park their vehicles in an orderly manner with the movie audio individually heard through each vehicle's stereo via radiofrequency. Food stalls were also arranged for snacking at the venue within the serenity of the park. People from different walks of life were present at the premiere to get the drive-in cinema experience.

JazzCash being the official digital payment partner for the Jazz Drive-In Cinema offered discounted payment solutions at the food stalls and ticket counters, and will continue to do so for a limited time. After the success of the first show, the Jazz Drive-In Cinema will be screening movies every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the evening, following a week-wise theme ranging from classics to action, science fiction, fantasy, and animations – a movie for each member of the family.

“I would like to congratulate Jazz, Activemedia and CDA on bringing back a retro favorite to provide the masses entertainment during the new normal,” said Sheikh Rasheed during the inauguration. He said “Today, I will not talk about political issues so no such questions please.”

Speaking at the movie screening, Jazz CCO, Asif Aziz, said, “As a digital lifestyle partner, we realized that the country-wide social distancing measures limited entertainment avenues for the public. By partnering with Activemedia and CDA, we aimed to introduce adaptive solutions for people to be able to receive the cinematic experience in a safe environment. Drive-in cinemas are ready to make a comeback in Pakistan and after the success of the pilot, we hope to extend this opportunity to other cities as well.”

On this occasion, spokesperson CDA said, “We applaud Jazz and Activemedia’s initiative to create the ultimate drive-in experience for audiences. For many families, today was the first proper outing in the last few months in a safe and comfortable environment with strict SOPs enforced.”

“I would like to thank Jazz and CDA for assisting us in bringing the drive-in cinema experience to the people of Islamabad. As the country’s top experiential marketing agency, we are managing the platform after fulfilling all concerned formalities with respect to the screening of the movies. After the month-long pilot in Islamabad, the next step is to take this project to Karachi and Lahore,” added Saad M. Khan, CEO – Activemedia.

The idea is indeed a unique one for us especially in the era of Covid-19 when everything is halted, says Waseem Abbas, a resident of G-7. “I don’t have a four-wheeler but, definitely, I will be here tomorrow with one of my colleague to watch the movie to let you know further,” he maintained.

The back to back movie shows will be screened on every Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 5:30pm and 8:30 pm.    

EMPOWERING YOUTH TO DEVELOPMENT

NASIMA KHAN

Just speak to youth around you and many of them will grumble tall claims by the governments, jobs are getting hard to find by every passing day. 

However, on contrary, the governments insist that they’re supposed to create employment opportunities and not offer jobs as limited resources are available at their disposal. They’re responsible for providing the people with basic facilities of life, which include education, healthcare, food, and shelter only.

Hence, it’s the private sector or public-private partnerships that create work for people. Without going into the question of who is to blame for the growing unemployment, especially in the underdeveloped province of Balochistan, I think some organizations in development sector are doing their best to ease the intense youth crisis through special initiatives. They may not be providing jobs to the poor, uneducated youth but they’re developing their employability skills for own and community development through training workshops considering it a must for reducing poverty. The ground realities bear testimony to it.

 

Just take the instance of the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)’s initiative Revitalising Youth Enterprise (RYE) project which has improved the employability of the selected youth in Ziarat and Killa Saifullah districts through skills development.

Around 300 young men and women aged 18-24 years, including educated but without jobs and uneducated struggling to find some decent living. These youth were selected for the training-cum-internship programme. They’re trained in clothes designing and making, beauty care, mobile phone repair, and domestic cooking, which were identified as the sought-after trades in the region. Having attended the programme, most of these youth are now able to earn a livelihood in their own areas and helping other young people to follow their path to empowerment.

Setting big goals for own development beyond their small towns and villages and pushing themselves to achieve them, these enthusiastic young souls are an inspiration for other locals, who, too, want to alleviate family poverty through skills development.

REVITALISING YOUTH ENTERPRISE IN BALOCHISTAN

NASIMA KHAN 

 

Balochistan, the country’s largest province in terms of area, has been facing multiple issues and challenges that are hampering its development, but the multidimensional poverty has emerged as the biggest one.

 

The successive governments claimed to be striving for poverty reduction in the province but there’s little or no success in practical terms. The development sector organizations however seem striving to uplift the communities, especially in the remote areas, with initiatives to help people get out of poverty.

 

Considering youth to be the engine of development, it is investing in them, including women, for sustainable development. Noted among these organisations is the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), which facilitates public-private partnerships to create livelihood opportunities for youth, including women, by skills development. Recently, it carried out a training-cum-internship programme in the underdeveloped Killa Saifullah and Ziarat districts to equip the youth with demand-driven technical skills, which were identified in a comprehensive market assessment.

 

The Citi Foundation funded the Revitalising Youth Enterprise (RYE) project, which was implemented with the help of a local partner, Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP). The training in mobile repairing, general electrician work, UPS, submersible pump and transformer repair, livestock management, commercial cooking, fashion design, bedding and quilt making, and beauty care empowered and uplifted trainees both financially and socially as they either opened own businesses or got jobs or better jobs.

 

According to the PPAF, 90 per cent of the trainees developed links and expanded their professional network, while 50 per cent of them demonstrated enhanced competencies. Community mobilisation and adherence to local norms and traditions caused good participation of girls in the training programme. 

The initiative highlighted the need for the selection of trainees for skill training projects, enhancing of the training programme duration to at least six months, provision of grants or loans to trainees, introduction of a mechanism to follow up on the trainees’ progress, and development of more inclusive approaches and institutions. The project led to a gradual change in the socioeconomic conditions of trainees and their families and its influence on other residents and thus, ensuring that more and more people, especially girls, participate in the economy. 

PDM VS PTI, NAY POLITICS VS MILITARY

 

Mahtab Bashir

mahtabbashir@gmail.com

03335363248

ISLAMABAD

The Pak Army top slot is under tremendous pressure from both ways- PM Imran khan's mere rhetoric & flawed policies from one side & PMLN's "vote ko izzat do" & "mujhy kion nikala" narrative from the other. 

The inflation- ridden public- at- large is asking a single question, i-e .what is the outcome of Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) country-wide protest rallies. The answer from different political corners varies. The only solid answer - depends upon the role of international and local establishment. But further question is whether establishment wants change right now or later on or after two more years. Is it time ripe enough or not?     

No doubt, former PM Mian Nawaz Sharif has again in limelight of political discourse by hitting too hard against the role of military in politics- of which PTI cabinet remembers labeled “a narrative of India”.

PM Khan’s reliance on being on the same page with the military does not mean that he must not come to some modus vivendi with the opposition. In politics, no one is reliable.

People are indeed burdened very heavily by high prices, reduced wages and not much light at the end of the tunnel. The government has promised on numerous occasions that it will crack down on all mafias responsible for the artificial price hike in essential items, just like the prime minister vowed to do yet again just a few days ago, but these promises have not translated into any sort of action in more than two years and people seem to have had enough of it.

The rallies of PDM has not exposed the PTI’s “Tabdeeli” under “Naya Pakistan” but has motivated majority of 212.2 million citizens of this country to raise voice against the selectors for their ‘proven’ wrong selection. But again the query remains the same, “when the selector(s) want(s) change?

ASGHAR NADEEM SAYYED REGRETS!

 *معروف ڈرامہ نگار اصغر ندیم سید کا فکر انگیز نوحہ*

میں ایک یونیورسٹی پروفیسر ہوں۔ اپنی مدت ملازمت پوری

ہونے پر ریٹائر کر دیا گیا ہوں۔ مجھے بخوشی فارغ کر دیا گیا کیونکہ جو میں پڑھانا چاہتا تھا، مجھے نہیں پڑھانے دیا گیا۔ اوسط درجے کے معمولی چاپلوس پروفیسر مجھے شک کی نگاہ سے دیکھتے تھے۔حاسد اور حسرتوں کے مارے پروفیسر میرے خلاف نالائق طالب علموں کو استعمال کر کے سازشیں کرتے تھے۔میں خاموشی سے سب دیکھتا رہا۔ باہر کی یونیورسٹیوں اور ملکوں سے کانفرنس میں شرکت کے دعوت نامے غائب کرتے رہے۔ مارشل لاء حکومتوں میں میرے جیسے اساتذہ کے خلاف پمفلٹ نکالتے رہے۔ خوشامد کے زور پر ہر طرح کی ترقیاں لینے والے Best Teacher ایوارڈ لیتے رہے۔ پڑھانے کی بجائے وائس چانسلروں کے ذاتی کام کرتے رہے۔ ترقیوں کے لئے ریسرچ کے نام پر بھوسہ بھرے پیپرز چھپواتے رہے۔ بڑی کامیابی سے غیر جمہوری حکومتوں کو اخلاقی جواز فراہم کرتے رہے۔ جابر سلطان کے سامنے کلمۂ حق کا نعرہ لگانے والے جابر سلطانوں کے جوتے چاٹتے رہے۔ میں یہ سب دیکھتا رہا۔ میں اُن کی بنائی ہوئی، ترتیب شدہ کتابیں پڑھانے پر مجبور ہوتا رہا۔ یونیورسٹیوں کے کلچر میں علم اور شفافیت کی جگہ تعصب، تنگ نظری اور سازشوں کو پلتے دیکھتا رہا۔ ہم اندھوں میں کانے راجے پیدا کرنے کو اپنی کامیابی سمجھتے رہے۔

میں جو پڑھانا چاہتا تھا، نہ پڑھا سکا اور جو نہیں پڑھانا چاہتا تھا وہ پڑھانے پر مجبور ہوا۔ آج اعتراف کرنا چاہتا ہوں کہ میں نے جو شاگرد پیدا کیے وہ ڈاکٹر، انجینئر، بینکر اور اُستاد بنے۔ مگر اُن میں ایک آنچ کی کسر رہ گئی۔ اس کا اندازہ مجھے وقتاََ فوقتاََ ہوتا رہتا ہے۔ جب میں اپنے زخموں کے علاج کے لئے چھ دن ہسپتال میں رہا تو چھ لاکھ کا بل دیکھ کر بلبلا اُٹھا۔ میرے کسی شاگرد نے کان میں کہا، ’’سر یہ تو آپ کو دینا پڑے گا کہ آپ نے ہمیں جو پڑھایا اُس میں تو یہی کچھ ممکن ہے۔‘‘ پھر جب میں انجیوگرافی کے لئے داخل ہوا تو میرے شاگرد ڈاکٹر نے میرے کان میں کہا، ’’سر اگر سرکاری علاج کرانا ہے تو دو سال بعد باری آئے گی اور اگر جیب سے علاج کرائیں گے تو دس منٹ میں باری آجائے گی۔‘‘ میں نے اس کی طرف دیکھا اس نے کہا ’’جو آپ نے پڑھایا اُس میں بس یہی ہو سکتا ہے۔‘‘ ایک دن کسی کام سے سیکریٹریٹ گیا۔ سیکریٹری کو نام کی چٹ بھیجی، اُس نے نہیں بلایا۔ میں ڈھیٹ بن کے بیٹھا رہا۔ جب وہ کسی میٹنگ میں جانے کے لئے نکلا تو میں سامنے آ گیا۔ میں نے کام بتایا۔ اس نے کہا ’’سر یہ کام ممکن نہیں ہے۔ آپ نے ہمیں جو پڑھایا تھا اُسے بھلانے میں بہت وقت لگا ہے۔ بڑی مشکل سے وہ سب بھلا کر اس جگہ پہنچا ہوں۔ میں کچھ نہیں کر سکتا۔‘‘ ایک دن میرے گھر کی بجلی کئی گھنٹے تک نہ آئی تو میں ایس ڈی او کے پاس گیا اور اُس نے مجھے دیکھ کر کہا۔ ’’سر جو کچھ آپ نے ہمیں پڑھایا تھا ۔اُس میں تو یہ جو بجلی آپ کو مل رہی ہے۔ یہ بھی نہیں ملنی چاہیے۔‘‘

آج مجھے احساس ہو رہا ہے کہ میں نے لولی لنگڑی اور اداس نسلیں پیدا کرنے میں حصہ لیا ہے۔ تنگ نظری اور تعصب نے پڑھے لکھوں میں کیسے راستہ بنایا۔ پھر کس طرح انتہا پسندی ہمارے معاشرے میں اعتبار حاصل کرنے میں کامیاب ہوئی۔ کس طرح بڑے بڑے کالم نگاروں، سیاسی رہنماؤں، دانشوروں اور بیوروکریٹس نے انتہا پسندوں اور دہشت گردوں کو جواز فراہم کیے۔ جب ایک خودکش حملہ آور اپنے دل، دماغ اور آنکھ پر پٹی باندھتا ہے تو اس کا ذمہ دار میں اپنے آپ کو سمجھتا ہوں۔ یونیورسیٹیوں سے فارغ التحصیل ہو کر معصوم اقلیتوں اور مسلمانوں کو جب عبادت گاہوں میں بارود سے اڑاتے ہیں تو اس میں کچھ حصہ میرا بھی ہے۔

آج میں اعتراف کرتا ہوں کہ مجھے کیا پڑھانا چاہیے تھا۔ میری بڑی خوہش تھی میں یہ پڑھاؤں کہ اللہ کو خوبصورتی پسند ہے۔ جمالیات کیا ہوتی ہے۔ اس کا فلسفہ کیا ہے۔ جمالیات کے فلسفے پر کئی کتابیں موجود تھیں۔ ہم نے اُن کی طرف رجوع نہ کیا۔ جمالیات کو سمجھے بغیر ہم سبحان اللہ کہنے کی پوزیشن میں نہیں آ سکتے۔ مجھے کسی نے یہ پڑھانے نہیں دیا کہ خوبصورتی کی تحسین کیسے کرنا ہے۔ اس میں تمام فنون لطیفہ کی بحثیں آ جاتی ہیں۔ میں جغرافیہ لازمی کرنا چاہتا تھا کہ اللہ کو سمجھنے کی سیڑ ھی جغرافیہ ہے۔ اُس کی زمینیں، اُس کے موسم، اُس کے جنگل، اُس کے دریا، اُس کے سمندر اور پھر سمندروں میں حیات، جنگلوں میں حیات۔ پرند چرند۔ اُن کی نسلیں۔ ان کی عادات کا مطالعہ کرنا چاہتا تھا۔ جانوروں سے وابستہ منفی تصورات کو ختم کرنا چاہتا تھا۔ یہ کام ہم نے نہ کیا، غیروں نے کیا۔ نیشنل جیو گرافک چینل سے بہتر یونیورسٹی نہیں ہے۔

میں پڑھانا چاہتا تھا کہ ہماری تاریخ کب سے شروع ہوتی ہے۔ میں انسانی تاریخ پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ مجھے اغواء شدہ پاکستانی تاریخ پڑھانے پر لگا دیا گیا۔ ظالم بادشاہوں کے قصیدے پڑھنے والے مؤرخوں نے وہ ٹیڑھی اینٹ رکھ دی جس پر جو عمارت بھی تعمیر ہوئی اُس کی غلام گردشوں میں ضیا الحقوں نے ٹک ٹکیاں لگا دیں۔ پپو کے قاتلوں کی پھانسی کے میلے میں پٹھورے اور گول گپے بیچنے والوں نے چاندی کمائی اور انسانوں کو بے حس کرنے کا عمل شروع ہو گیا۔ میں تاریخ مسخ کرنے والوں کی نشاندہی کرنا چاہتا تھا۔ مجھے ایسا کرنے سے روک دیا گیا۔ کن لوگوں نے نظریہ پاکستان کو پوری قوم سے ٹھگ لیا۔ اور پھر اُس پر لمبی چوڑی مارکیٹنگ کی۔ جو اب تک جاری ہے۔ میں طلبا کو بتانا چاہتا تھا کہ یہ کون لوگ ہیں، کن کونے کھدروں سے کیڑے مکوڑوں کی طرح نکلے ہیں۔ اس سے بھی بڑھ کر قائد اعظم کو ٹھگنے والے بونوں اور ٹھِگنے قد کے لوگوں کو طلباء سے متعارف کرانا چاہتا تھا۔ مجھے روک دیا گیا۔ میں طلباء کو پڑھانا چاہتا تھا کہ ایوب خان کس طرح فیلڈ مارشل بنا اور اُس کے مشیروں نے ادب اور ادیبوں کو خرید نے کے لئے کس طرح کے گماشتے مقرر کیے۔ اُس نے شاہی قلعے میں حسن ناصر کو کیسے شہید کیا۔ کس طرح دانشوروں، سیاست دانوں اور باضمیر لوگوں کو ساری رات جگانے کے لئے حربے استعمال کیے۔ ان کے ناخن کس طرح پلاس سے اکھاڑ ے گئے۔ کس طرح ان کی چیخوں کو دبانے کے لئے اقدامات کیے گئے۔ ضیا الحق نے کس طرح ادیبوں، شاعروں، وکیلوں (اُس وقت کے وکیلوں) کسانوں اور صحافیوں کے ننگے جسموں پر کوڑوں کے ساتھ گرم پانی کی بوچھاڑ کروائی۔ کس طرح یہ لوگ پاگل ہوئے اور اُن کے گھر والوں نے انہیں قبول کرنے سے انکار کر دیا۔ اداکارہ شبنم کیس میں راتوں رات ضیاء الحق نے پھانسی کے مجرموں کو کس طرح معافی دلوائی۔ کون شبنم کے گھر گیا اور اُس سے معافی نامہ لے کر آیا۔ میں یہ طلباء کو بتانا چاہتا تھا۔

میں طلباء کو پڑھانا چاہتا تھا کہ سعادت حسن منٹو جب پاکستان آئے ہم نے اُن کے ساتھ کیا سلوک کیا۔ چھوٹی عدالتوں میں کس طرح ذلیل کیا۔ روزگار کے سارے دروازے بند کر دِیئے۔ دس روپے میں تخلیقی مشقت پر افسانہ لکھوایا۔ قسطوں میں نہیں، یک مُشت مرنے پر مجبور کر دیا۔ پاک ٹی ہاؤس میں اُسے دیکھ کر قیوم نظراور شہرت بخاری ٹائلٹ میں ڈر کے کیوں گھسے تھے۔ بقول منٹو اُس نے تو کبھی بھی اُن سے اُدھار نہیں لیا تھا۔ میں منٹو کے افسانے، ’’کھول دو‘‘، ’’ٹھنڈا گوشت ‘‘ ،’’موذیل‘‘، ’’بابو گوپی ناتھ‘‘، ’’ٹوبہ ٹیک سنگھ‘‘، ’’ شہید ساز‘‘ اور ’’ننگی آوازیں‘‘ پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ کورس مرتب کرنے والوں نے مجھے روک دیا اور جن اصحاب علم وادب نے یہ راستہ روکا وہ اس وقت بڑی بڑی یونیورسٹیوں میں پروفیسر ایمریطس ہیں۔

میں فیض کی نظم ’’ڈھاکہ سے واپسی پر‘‘ پڑھانا چاہتا تھا اور طلباء کو اس مصرعے کا مطلب سمجھانا چاہتا تھا۔ ’’خون کے دھبے دُھلیں گے کتنی برساتوں کے بعد‘‘۔ میں ناصر کاظمی کی غزل طلباء کو پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ جو سنہ 1971ء کے بعد لکھی گئی۔ ’’وہ کشتیاں چلانے والے کیا ہوئے‘‘ مجھے بس یہ بتانا تھا کہ وہ بھٹیالی گانے والے ہمارے طرزِ احساس سے کیسے نکل گئے اور مشرقی پاکستان کی ستاون فلمیں جو یہاں ریلیز ہوئیں وہ ہماری فلم انڈسڑی کو یکسر تبدیل کرنے ہی والی تھیں کہ سفر رُک گیا۔ میں بتانا چاہتا تھا کہ قرۃالعین حیدر، بڑے غلام علی خان اور ساحر لدھیانوی پاکستان چھوڑ کر کیوں چلے گئے اور سجاد ظہیر کو مچھ جیل میں کیوں بند کیا گیا۔ میں بہت کچھ پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ انتظار حسین کا ’’شہر افسوس‘‘، ’’ بستی‘‘ اور ’’ہندوستان سے آیا ہوا خط‘‘ مجھے نہیں پڑھانے دیا گیا۔ میں امر جلیل کی کہانیاں اور شیخ ایاز کی نظمیں پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ اور وہ سارا عالمی لٹریچر اور اپنی زبانوں کا لٹریچر جسے ہم نے اپنے طلباء سے چھپا لیا، وہ سب پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ اس طرح میں بھی کوتاہ قد رہ گیا اور میرے طلباء بھی۔

آئینیسکو نے ایک ڈرامہ لکھا تھا، ’’ کرسیاں (The Chairs)‘‘۔ اس میں ایک ریٹائرڈ افسر رات کے کھانے پر شہر کے تمام بڑے عہدے والے افسروں کو دعوت پر بلاتا ہے۔ جب وہ ایک ایک کر کے آتے ہیں تو سٹیج پر اُن کے وجود کے بجائے اُن کی صرف کرسیاں رکھی جاتی ہیں۔ ان کرسیوں سے میزبان گفتگو کر کے بتاتا ہے کہ صاحبو درحقیقت تو تم صرف کرسیاں ہو۔ تم اس سسٹم میں اپنی شناخت گم کر بیٹھے ہو۔ میں بھی ایک ڈنر پر سب بڑے لوگوں کو بلا کر یہ اعتراف کرنا چاہتا ہوں کہ میں جو پڑھانا چاہتا تھا کیوں نہیں پڑھا سکا۔ مگر میرا یہ اعتراف صرف خالی کرسیوں سے ہو گا کہ وہ سب افسر اپنا وجود نہیں رکھتے۔

 ادیبوں کو خرید نے کے لئے کس طرح کے گماشتے مقرر کیے۔ اُس نے شاہی قلعے میں حسن ناصر کو کیسے شہید کیا۔ کس طرح دانشوروں، سیاست دانوں اور باضمیر لوگوں کو ساری رات جگانے کے لئے حربے استعمال کیے۔ ان کے ناخن کس طرح پلاس سے اکھاڑ ے گئے۔ کس طرح ان کی چیخوں کو دبانے کے لئے اقدامات کیے گئے۔ ضیا الحق نے کس طرح ادیبوں، شاعروں، وکیلوں (اُس وقت کے وکیلوں) کسانوں اور صحافیوں کے ننگے جسموں پر کوڑوں کے ساتھ گرم پانی کی بوچھاڑ کروائی۔ کس طرح یہ لوگ پاگل ہوئے اور اُن کے گھر والوں نے انہیں قبول کرنے سے انکار کر دیا۔ اداکارہ شبنم کیس میں راتوں رات ضیاء الحق نے پھانسی کے مجرموں کو کس طرح معافی دلوائی۔ کون شبنم کے گھر گیا اور اُس سے معافی نامہ لے کر آیا۔ میں یہ طلباء کو بتانا چاہتا تھا۔

میں طلباء کو پڑھانا چاہتا تھا کہ سعادت حسن منٹو جب پاکستان آئے ہم نے اُن کے ساتھ کیا سلوک کیا۔ چھوٹی عدالتوں میں کس طرح ذلیل کیا۔ روزگار کے سارے دروازے بند کر دِیئے۔ دس روپے میں تخلیقی مشقت پر افسانہ لکھوایا۔ قسطوں میں نہیں، یک مُشت مرنے پر مجبور کر دیا۔ پاک ٹی ہاؤس میں اُسے دیکھ کر قیوم نظراور شہرت بخاری ٹائلٹ میں ڈر کے کیوں گھسے تھے۔ بقول منٹو اُس نے تو کبھی بھی اُن سے اُدھار نہیں لیا تھا۔ میں منٹو کے افسانے، ’’کھول دو‘‘، ’’ٹھنڈا گوشت ‘‘ ،’’موذیل‘‘، ’’بابو گوپی ناتھ‘‘، ’’ٹوبہ ٹیک سنگھ‘‘، ’’ شہید ساز‘‘ اور ’’ننگی آوازیں‘‘ پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ کورس مرتب کرنے والوں نے مجھے روک دیا اور جن اصحاب علم وادب نے یہ راستہ روکا وہ اس وقت بڑی بڑی یونیورسٹیوں میں پروفیسر ایمریطس ہیں۔

میں فیض کی نظم ’’ڈھاکہ سے واپسی پر‘‘ پڑھانا چاہتا تھا اور طلباء کو اس مصرعے کا مطلب سمجھانا چاہتا تھا۔ ’’خون کے دھبے دُھلیں گے کتنی برساتوں کے بعد‘‘۔ میں ناصر کاظمی کی غزل طلباء کو پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ جو سنہ 1971ء کے بعد لکھی گئی۔ ’’وہ کشتیاں چلانے والے کیا ہوئے‘‘ مجھے بس یہ بتانا تھا کہ وہ بھٹیالی گانے والے ہمارے طرزِ احساس سے کیسے نکل گئے اور مشرقی پاکستان کی ستاون فلمیں جو یہاں ریلیز ہوئیں وہ ہماری فلم انڈسڑی کو یکسر تبدیل کرنے ہی والی تھیں کہ سفر رُک گیا۔ میں بتانا چاہتا تھا کہ قرۃالعین حیدر، بڑے غلام علی خان اور ساحر لدھیانوی پاکستان چھوڑ کر کیوں چلے گئے اور سجاد ظہیر کو مچھ جیل میں کیوں بند کیا گیا۔ میں بہت کچھ پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ انتظار حسین کا ’’شہر افسوس‘‘، ’’ بستی‘‘ اور ’’ہندوستان سے آیا ہوا خط‘‘ مجھے نہیں پڑھانے دیا گیا۔ میں امر جلیل کی کہانیاں اور شیخ ایاز کی نظمیں پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ اور وہ سارا عالمی لٹریچر اور اپنی زبانوں کا لٹریچر جسے ہم نے اپنے طلباء سے چھپا لیا، وہ سب پڑھانا چاہتا تھا۔ اس طرح میں بھی کوتاہ قد رہ گیا اور میرے طلباء بھی۔

آئینیسکو نے ایک ڈرامہ لکھا تھا، ’’ کرسیاں (The Chairs)‘‘۔ اس میں ایک ریٹائرڈ افسر رات کے کھانے پر شہر کے تمام بڑے عہدے والے افسروں کو دعوت پر بلاتا ہے۔ جب وہ ایک ایک کر کے آتے ہیں تو سٹیج پر اُن کے وجود کے بجائے اُن کی صرف کرسیاں رکھی جاتی ہیں۔ ان کرسیوں سے میزبان گفتگو کر کے بتاتا ہے کہ صاحبو درحقیقت تو تم صرف کرسیاں ہو۔ تم اس سسٹم میں اپنی شناخت گم کر بیٹھے ہو۔ میں بھی ایک ڈنر پر سب بڑے لوگوں کو بلا کر یہ اعتراف کرنا چاہتا ہوں کہ میں جو پڑھانا چاہتا تھا کیوں نہیں پڑھا سکا۔ مگر میرا یہ اعتراف صرف خالی کرسیوں سے ہو گا کہ وہ سب افسر اپنا وجود نہیں رکھتے۔

THAT'S HOW WE CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!

MAHTAB BASHIR

mahtabbashir@gmail.com

0333 53 63 248

Islamabad

The covid19 pandemic is not over but our youth is- as soon as we are relaxed on this Independence Day of (August 14), every one turns up the roads. The green and white is everywhere in the streets- and so is hooliganism, blowing crackers, aerial firing, and silencerless bikes. This is how we celebrate our ‘Freedom Day’.    

Aerial firing, riding bikes at high speed without silencers, blowing crackers and fireworks arms and eve teasing is the way we tend to celebrate our important days and festivals, especially 14th of August- our Independence Day.

Celebrations are another name of indecent display of rowdiness across the country. Although everyone gets excited and proud on August 14 and wants to share the happiness and joy with other countrymen, but getting outside the house with family means meeting ruffian youth on the back of bikes and other thugs occupying the roads.

One wants to get out of the house with the family and enjoy the decorated buildings, and lighting on the towers and mosques, but it is impossible to go to these places and enjoy a nice time with family members due to rowdy youth who are oblivion of Covid19 as well.

This attitude has become the hallmark of the way we celebrate Eid, Ramadan, Independence Day and all other auspicious occasions.

When this scribe contacted a number of people from various segments of society and from varied age, they blame illiteracy and poverty behind this indecent hooliganism while few opines because of Covid19, we have been contained in four walls of house- this is the rights time for celebrations (of our freedom Day).

Social behavior is an advanced action which directs specific behavior towards others. A majority of our youth not only illiterate but also literate have psychological problems so when they step out on the streets, there mannerism, attitude and respect for other changes for the worse, they opined.

A number of people told this scribe that if ever there was a time to demonstrate just what the real meaning and significance of Independence Day was, this was the right time.

Another August 14 has been celebrated yesterday. Thousands of youngsters in green and white poured on to the streets, but does it made a little difference?

It is often said that youngsters are the future of this country. Pakistan is the country with maximum population of youth; the one which is seen one wheeling from Faizabad Interchange to Constitution Avenue in Islamabad.

Others show their love for Pakistan by lighting fire crackers, some performing stunts on bikes at high speeds, not knowing that slipping an inch could cost them their life.

M Ibrahim, a young boy at Jinnah Super Market said Independence Day should be celebrated in a simple manner, but first of all we have to show solidarity with one another. Get clear of the thoughts of racism, we are not five, we are one! God never asked me if I wanted to be a Punjabi, Sindhi, Pathan, Baloch or Gilgiti. We are Pakistanis and we should celebrate our day of independence showing unity, he said.

Another said we must carry on with this passion of I-Day throughout the year. We are at war, real war. We are facing challenges and crisis. We are down and we are bruised. We are threatened by terrorism and we are choking under a huge debt. If we are to address issues of poverty, hunger, desperation, law and order, we need to do so not by treating the cancer with aspirin but with radical surgery. We have to do it ourselves.

Osama Pervaiz believed the media could bring about a positive change and make the youth aware of what to do and what not to do on August 14 for the betterment of our country. If our next generation can come forward and take charge and get all politicians and other corrupt people who are proven guilty by the law, are actually sentenced, govt. would love to spend more on health and education sector- this country can breathe for a brief time independently in real terms. Then I can spend the Independence Day with wearing green and white, a flag in my hand, and dancing madly on the tunes of national songs.

Also published in Pakistan Today 

SHAKIL AKHTER: AN ANGEL IN DISGUISE FLIES BACK TO HEAVEN

OBITUARY COLUMN:

MAHTAB BASHIR
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

The Almighty saw you getting tired.

And a cure was not to be. 

So he put His arms around you,

And whispered, "Come to me". 
With tearful eyes we watched you,
And saw you pass away;
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
Allah broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best.

This is a tale of a self-made individual who dedicates his laborious life to his family members. But, just at the time of the celebrations, he says adieu to all of his dear ones. He epitomizes all the qualities of a hardworking, caring and loving persona to an extent that each family member claim he loves him/her the most. 

I believe, he is an angel in disguise, who amid Covid 19 pandemic covers non-stop distance of 8443 km from Barcelona (Spain) to Lahore (Pakistan) with acute liver cirrhosis, comes home on May 14, looks around for a while, spends a brief time with his wife Samina, daughter Maira (20), Son Talha(18) and then suddenly flutters his wings and disappears for good on Saturday, June, 6, 2020. 

His dejected looking daughter Maira says, “As I come to know Papa is suffering with liver disorder and his kidneys are also infected, I start reading the symptoms and remedy. I chat him on and off on video call, he looks pale with merely weighing 30-35KG. None of us or even Papa himself ever thinks to turn back to us after two decades, with such a fragile health”. 

“On May 14, he reaches Lahore and on the same day I meet him in National Hospital, Lahore. He is not able to talk but whisper. Spontaneously, he asks “O mera bara beta a gia hay, kia hal hay puttar,” she maintains adding Papa while looking at Talha says, “If I get better, I will send you abroad for studies, and if I’m not- don’t weep. She says the very next day, I meet him again, and he gifts me his (own) mobile set, that gives me a clear indication that his days are numbered but I continue to pray for a miracle. 

An altruistic soul, Shakil Akhter, lives an overwhelming life. Spending more than half of his life abroad, while he persistently keeps in touch with his family on daily basis, no matter, wherever he is.

As an MBA graduate, he is an avid reader and loves to go places. He visits all major countries of Europe as well and shares us that various flavours and diversity of all countries.

Since our childhood, we used to play cricket and participate in every tournament held at any nook and corner of the Federal Capital. With his jerky action, he is too quick for the batsmen and being a left hander he is our trump card (in bowling). We often visit places. Whenever, he comes to Islamabad, hiking at Margalla trails is inevitably included in his schedule.

Last three weeks (of his life), Shakil spends among his family members, are mixed bag of emotions- love, fear, anger, dedication, care, trust, anguish and hope, to say the least. But a sense of responsibility to live with his kids constantly observed in him as he wants to get rid of his ailment.

Shakil is larger than life and is most energized by being right in the middle of the action wherever he goes. He is always laughing and smiling, and has something money cannot buy – his charisma. But those 21 days, he spends with family members’, he remains numb because of his dwindled health. Everyone including his kids keep asking as what he thinks- he looks up the heaven and then closes his eyes. It is a moment of anxiety.

He often repents that his family members are standing beside his bed, and he is not able to greet them, or to do something for them. He wants to help them in all means. He apologizes all of them for being staying apart for decades. It is a time of unusual thoughts. Sigh!

He has tremendous generosity and care for others; he is loving, understanding, and nonjudgmental. His proudest accomplishments are his kids. He will be remembered as a family man, as a father to his kids, and as the guy to call when anyone need support.

In early 2000, Shakil is the one who makes me technology savvy. First he donates me Nokia 8210 (a chic and trendy hand set), later a smart phone of Samsung (when it was not so common in this part of the world) and later I become an owner of a Sony Vio laptop.

Shakil Akhter is a clairvoyant who wants to have eternal sleep beside his late Mother- and this intense wish ultimately, fulfills on Saturday morning, June 6, when he departs for Heaven.

This scribe finds Shakil Akhter does not have role-models but two- his mother (my Phupho) who expires in 1992 when he is a school-going kid and Moazzam Bhashir (my brother) who disappears in 2008. http://mahtabbashir.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-brother-walking-lexicon-walks-away.html

As a youngest among his siblings, he is the most pampered of family and in particular the most closer to his mother. I remember, long ago, when I ask Shakil, “You are a bike-lover, than how you are switched to a 4-wheeler”? He smiles and replies- “because of my ailing mother”. 

In 2003, an Indian romantic drama film titled “Tere naam” releases. Whenever, I travel along Shakil on a four wheeler, I find only one played song of the movie “tere naam, hum nay kiya hay....”. Without asking the reason, he says, “… it’s a dedicated song to my mother- now and forever”. 

His last post (of life) on facebook appears on April 23, 2020. I hurriedly call Samina (my sister and his wife) just to let her know that Shakil is getting better with an impression (of writing by his own).

It (the post pictured) reflects his love for his mother, inscribing “Dear mother, why don’t you come in my dreams? Always love you till I come to you or even Roz-e-Qiyamat will hold your finger. You know everything, my dear Mom”. The post is attached with an emotions pack tribute with a song from “Tare Zameen Par”- Tujhay sab hay pata- haina Maa- a song that captures every child’s emotions for his mother. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LGuovVCTQYg&feature=youtu.be

Shakil Akhter’s maiden overseas journey is of Australia in 1997. He returns back to Pakistan in 1999, and ties the knot in the same year. In August, 2000, Maira (to whom he calls Bara Beta) and in 2002 Talha is born.

With the completion of family, in 2004, he again packs up for England to earn for family. In 2007, he visits Pakistan for a short period (of a month). From 2008 till 2020, he settles in England and later in Spain.

Time continues to fly, he remains in touch with his wife Samina, his kids and all the near and dear ones on a daily basis. He cares for his wife and kids to an extent that he fulfills their wishes in a time as quick as one’s blink his eyes. He never forgets birthdays’ celebrations as he sends (surprise) gifts to his wife and kids all the way from Barcelona.

Fast forwarding, after two decades, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, there comes a moment when Shakil reaches back home from Spain. On the wee hours of May 14, (Thursday), when the plane touches the runway of Allama Iqbal International, everything looks unusual to him.

Liver cirrhosis makes him lean, sedated and exhausted. He continues to fight against it valiantly. He feels comfort as soon as he finds his family members around him. He knows well, his days are numbered but has high hope, courage and unflinching willpower to live on. On May 30 (Saturday) at 7:17am, a week before his expiry, I heard his voice for the last time. 

Samina Shakil, the deceased’s wife while talking to this scribe says, “He (my husband) hates procrastination, every time I talk to him on a video call or an audio, he insists to complete all the undo works, whether they are big or small (in nature). He is a “do it now” sort of a person who advises the same to his kids and other family members. He wants every task to be completed in real time with perfection and without delay. Perhaps that’s why, he leaves us with the same (quick) pace”. 

When asked, he lives for three weeks here, what does Shakil emphasizes, she says, “There are two heroes in his life, his mother (my Phupho) and Moazzam bhai (my elder brother). Whenever he whispers, I could hear he is remembering these two. He wants to meet his mother and he lives to fight against this deadly disease like Moazzam Bhai did. He does the both acts and that too so quickly. I wish he could spend some time more with me and kids and also to see all renovated rooms but this not happens (with the will of Allah).    

Narrating an incident of his initial ailments (couple of months back), Samina says “During his ailing days, once Bushra (his sister) takes him on video conference call and after a while Maira (our daughter) also appears on screen. As soon as Maira glances his Papa, she forgets to speak a single word. He looks pale and his weight is reduced drastically. She keeps on staring him and ends up with tears rolling down her cheeks. Her father reacts in same manner”, she maintains adding Shakil later, says to avoid repeating this act in future because Maira knows it all (about my disease). 

One of the most courageous women on this planet earth, Samina opines, “During our 21 years marital life, we remain intact for only 5 years (including those last three weeks he spends here). In hospitals, he persistently holds hands of Maira and Talha and repeatedly whispers me to take care of both. We have been doing Iftari and Sehri in hospital at times, we all pray for just one more miracle of Shakil's recovery during this Holy month, but...". She says, “I’ve noticed, for the last many months, Shakil is disturbed. But he avoids sharing with me. May be because of that immigration card, or may be something else. But he is perturbed for sure.” She says her husband is a superlative introvert, but I trust him for life.

Shakil's flabbergasted brother, Ishtiaq Ahmed, who is his companion of all weathers and residing in Spain, says, “I have no words (for dear departed). No one recognizes Shakil (in deeper sense) as I do. He is a gem of a person. The way he fights against this deadly disease- I assure you two giant elephants could have been surrendered too earlier. He is not only my brother but my best friend- or my everything to say the least,” adding every moment spend with Shakil is my treasure- and I will love to live with it.

He says, “Now, he is no more around me, this house (in Barcelona) has become a haunted one. Time is not a healer for me- and I will not get rid of this shock. May the Almighty give him superlative spot in Heaven”.

Dr. Noman Iftikhar, living in Australia, says, “All my life, I’ve been closest to Shakil. Unfortunately, at the final stage of liver cirrhosis that converts into liver Cancer, only dua is the most effective medicine. He could have not survive the severe attack in the mid of December, 2019, had he been in Pakistan or any other place. Shakil gets the best treatment in Spain but it is the will of the Almighty. I don’t have words to utter, I’m astounded- I am in pain”.

Rizwan Anjum, who is in UK while paying tribute to Shakil, says “he has lost the asset of his life. I met this angel 43 years ago, he promised to be with me throughout his life. Then he becomes my life-time companion. On June 6, my companion leaves me in a lurch. He is (indeed) an angel. This pain is eternal,” he maintains.

Bushra Anwaar, sister of Shakil while remembering his brother says, Shakil is a workaholic person- who earns for his family while staying away from all of them. “He worked 20 hours a day at times. Often his neighbors’ ask him why are you paying the rent, if you come here to spend only one or two hours.”

She says he is the most pampered child of our family, the closet to our mother. During his ailing days, he often gets annoyed when I call him- because of his serious condition. But within few days time, he calls me back asking, “where were you, I have not received a call from you since couple of days, are you angry...?”

Shakil’s son Talha says “He (papa) paved for us a life full of great possibilities, abundance of hope and a plethora of privileges, which, when we introspect, would not have ever materialised without his empowering presence in the family and infinite contributions.

Rounding off this write-up, I must say the void that has encapsulated our lives in the wake of Shakil Akhter’s absence knows no bounds. From the day we were together till the day he passed away, he had always made it a point to shield us from each and every unfavourable circumstance that hit our paths- that’s what his family members, relatives, friends and hundreds of mourners from Canada to USA, England to Australia and Lahore to Islamabad, observe on the sad day of June6, 2020. 

As a tribute to him, this essay offers snippets of his life and brings together some relevant anecdotes and reflections, which have social and historical significance.

It would be a sheer injustice if I forget to acknowledge the services of Ishtiaq Ahmed (his brother in Spain) who is a great source of strengthen and inspiration during the laborious work in the ill-fated days from dawn to dusk. He single-handedly or should I say “single-leggedly” (because of his fractured leg) looks after Shakil for the months- that would not be easily forgotten.

Words are totally inadequate to express my thanks to Editor Daily Dunya, Islamabad Muhammad Adil, my office colleagues and hundreds of friends from print, electronic and social media, for their confidence and help extended to us.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the relatives who assist and help him from the day of his arrival to Pakistan (May 14) to his departure to Heaven (June 6). Their efforts are literally unparallel whose reward will be bestowed to them by the Almighty in this world or hereafter.

Words fall short to thank Pakistan Consul General in Barcelona (Spain), Imran Ali Chaudhary whose’ unflinching efforts make the miracle of bringing Shakil back to Pakistan when the world is halted, air flights are grounded because of Covid-19 Pandemic and Physicians team disallow him to travel. Imran Chaudhary’s imperative role in difficult moment would never be compensated even by my posterity. He, indeed, belongs to that rare breed of bureaucracy who reaches down and lifting people up. During these hard days, to say the least, his response is quick. He (always) calls me back, whenever I send him a text message (casually). He is a saint in bureaucrat's clothing. May the Almighty Allah give him more power, prosperity and health to keep going…!

Shakil Akhter has left behind plenty of memories to cherish, an array of wise words to live by, a wealth of achievements to take inspiration from. We truly hope that his soul finds solace in the heavens above.

Dear readers, they say, "time is a great healer", but to me, every passing moment gets me closer to Shakil Akhter, spiritually and emotionally. I know well, this is where no one can help you but one can feel sorry (in condoling)- that's what only you can do and that's what only we all need. I, on behalf of my sister, extend a deep debt of gratitude to all of you. And I sanguinely request with hope, you would remember and pray for Shakil’s soul (maghfirat) as keenly as you did (pray) for his recovery during his ailing days. Your overwhelming support reminds all our family members to smile again.

Thank you all!

PS: The writer has intentionally used ‘present tense’ writing this obituary, because he believes Shakil Akhter ‘IS’ and not ‘WAS’.

COVID-19: THE FOUR STAGES OF PANDEMIC REACTIONS

Denial, panic, scapegoating and ultimate sense are the usual way societies have dealt with new diseases throughout history. But interestingly, all the countries currently with botched responses to Covid-19 are ruled by populists

Newspapers and news websites in Pakistan continue to carry reports and lament about how large sections of society are being careless in their attitude towards the Covid-19 pandemic. Such reports have also lambasted the federal government for bungling the crisis by being misinformed about the dynamics of the Covid-19 virus and its spread.

Many have also criticised the regime for allowing its political biases to impact its contingency policies, which have so far been chaotic, ad hoc and almost entirely unable to stall the rapid spread of Covid-19.

Prime Minister Imran Khan and many of his ministers have been censured for ‘misinforming’ the people about the true nature of the disease while, at the same time, vetoing the idea of strict lockdowns. So, as the outbreak ravages the country and overwhelms the country’s already fragile health system with frightening speed, PM Khan does not have much to say or show other than claim that he knew things are going to get bad.

With examples like China, Italy, Spain, Iran and the US before us, or other countries where Covid-19 had begun to peak before it spiked in Pakistan, it didn’t require a genius to ‘already know’ that things would get bad here as well. Even though PM Khan was hailed by his sycophantic circle of ministers for being oracular for this insightful prediction, he had also earlier described the disease as, merely, a ‘flu.’

The government then continued to add unsubstantiated claptrap to its largely convoluted narrative in this regard, until intense media criticism triggered a sudden about-turn and saw the government resort to accusing the general populace for letting things get out of hand.

Denial, panic, scapegoating and ultimate sense are the usual way societies have dealt with new diseases throughout history. But interestingly, all the countries currently with botched responses to Covid-19 are ruled by populists

What’s more, the government also continued to sideline and ignore some rational and sound advice from provincial governments and health experts. One such advice was for imposing stricter lockdowns. But the PM disagreed. Instead, he began to rationalise his disapproval of lockdowns as an egalitarian act, undertaken for the benefit of the poor.

This rationale was almost immediately debunked by some writers on the economy. In a March 27, 2020 article in Dawn, business and economics journalist Khurram Hussain pointed out that lockdowns were, in fact, opposed by the business community, and that it were members of this community who were influencing PM Khan’s anti-lockdown sentiments. In his show on Channel 24, veteran journalist and political pundit Najam Sethi shared similar views.

Martin Gak in a piece for the German news site DW explains the idea of opening up businesses (and thus, allowing the deaths of thousands from Covid-19) as the 21st century equivalent of an ancient past, in which human sacrifice was practised in some cultures, supposedly for the well-being of the larger community.

The Covid-19 problem in Pakistan was further compounded by a controversial Supreme Court order in which the court asked provincial governments to open the malls and markets just before Eid. Not surprisingly, two weeks after this order was carried out, Covid-19 cases in Pakistan witnessed an unprecedented spike.

But Pakistan is not the only country where the government has badly botched the response to the pandemic and where the denial of Covid-19’s dangers or even its existence can be found in large sections of the society. Similar scenarios are being played out in countries such as the US, Brazil, Mexico and India. Interestingly, each one of these, like Pakistan, have governments headed by populists.

The Brazilian PM actually took part in an anti-lockdown rally and then issued an order that the number of Covid-19 cases in Brazil should not be reported. US President Donald Trump claimed that the virus threat was insignificant. But when it began to spread like wildfire, he more-than-alluded that China was behind the spread.

In India, it became apparent that the Modi regime only had the muscle to impose its Hindutva ideology but had no idea how to control the virus. In Pakistan, PM Khan with nothing to show in this respect, ended up somewhat absurdly gloating that Pakistan was the only Muslim country where mosques were not closed for prayers. As if this were some colossal achievement in a time of a raging pandemic.

In a March 5, 2020 article for The Atlantic, journalist and novelist Karl Taro Greenfeld writes that historically, societies often go through ‘four stages of grief’ during pandemics and plagues.

Mount Saint Vincent University’s Professor Jonathan Roberts, an expert on the history of plagues, agrees. Roberts told CTV News Atlantic, also in March, that the historical pattern in which societies behave during outbreaks of pandemics has remained intact, and that he is seeing the same pattern being repeated during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Roberts has been investigating the ancient and modern histories of social and political responses to pandemics and plagues. The pattern he was talking about starts with the outright denial of an outbreak, followed by ‘a panic reaction.’ This is then followed by scapegoating, which is tied to the emergence of conspiracy theories. On a more hopeful note, Robert suggests that during the fourth stage, those in power finally allow the proliferation of correct information to get out.

But by then, thousands of lives have been lost and economies devastated. What’s more, a community of people who are blamed for the outbreaks during the scapegoating stage, would have suffered severe ostracism and harassment. This is related to what the World Health Organisation (WHO) calls an ‘infodemic’, when madcap theories once relegated to the lunatic fringes of society, suddenly emerge on the mainstream during the fear and chaos triggered by an outbreak of disease.

In the February 2020 issue of Psychology Today, author and medical sociologist Dr Robert Bartholomew writes that Jews were blamed for the 14th Century Bubonic Plague in Europe, and the 1918 flu pandemic — which killed millions — was dubbed the Spanish Flu, not because Spain was the outbreak’s epicentre, but because the Spanish government was the first to identify the problem. During the same pandemic, many in Britain believed that the virus was a germ created by the German military, even though an equal number of Germans were dying from the same virus.

With the proliferation of social media sites, unsubstantiated claims, denials and scapegoating has increased at an alarming rate, with even the governments of the US, Brazil and India alluding that the Covid-19 was created in a secret Chinese lab and unleashed across the world.

But to historians like Robertson and authors such as Greenfeld, there is light at the end of this frightening tunnel. Both claim that, historically, the last stage of the aforementioned historical pattern is when societies and rulers usually come to their senses and do some actual work to address and contain the problem.

Indeed, vaccines remain the ultimate goal for eliminating the virus. But rational contingency plans and their implementation, scientifically sound advice and instructions to the public, and the debunking of crackpot theories, are vital to buy time before a vaccine is made available. Unfortunately, even though millions have lost their lives due to the pandemic, many countries, including Pakistan, still seem to be stuck in the earlier stages of reaction: denial, confusion and scapegoating. Only a handful of nations have moved into the more hopeful fourth stage.

Nadeem F. Paracha

Published in Dawn, EOS, June 28th, 2020

THE WORLD FOLLOWS CHINA KNOCKING DOWN CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has now spread over 188 countries across all continents, except Antarctica, and has been classified as a global pandemic. This novel coronavirus has created the direst public-health crisis in generations, forcing lockdowns of countries, disrupting the global economy and restricting travel- all in just a few months since the disease began to spread outside of China. Pakistan also reported hundreds of cases of coronavirus - majority of which were imported from Iran. As countries are struggling to prevent a similar outbreak, analysing China's response could show the world a path to follow.

China's response is particularly relevant at a time when Beijing is placing emphasis on the superiority of the "China model" that prioritises government control over individual freedoms. Such a model has become more evident in the era of President Xi Jinping. In contrast to paramount leader Deng Xiaoping's "hide and bide" doctrine—which essentially means waiting for the right time and not taking the leading role—Chairman Xi portrays China as a global power that is willing to lead this world with Chinese solutions, an alternative development model to western-style democracy. Therefore, the world is watching China's moves very closely as the situation evolves, including with regard to the latest episode of Covid-19.

This pandemic reveals the remarkable dynamics of China's governing system. China has been rebuked for its intolerance of dissidents, suppression of truth and controlling of information. Nevertheless, this pandemic has also revealed the strength of the Chinese system in mobilising resources and capabilities at an unprecedented level, in a way that is needed to rein in the virus.

Experts opined that to tackle a pandemic, the best solution is to share information with the public and take swift measures on the eve of the outbreak. In the Chinese style of governance, the decision is made via a top-down approach. At the earlier stage of the outbreak, Wuhan local government reported the presence of a SARS-like virus to the relevant department, but the higher authorities decided not to make the information public as an important annual political programme known as "two sessions" was due soon.

Despite the urgency to save thousands of lives, the local government was not allowed to disclose such sensitive information without the authorisation of the central government. Furthermore, China's giant, opaque bureaucracy slowed the back and forth of communication between provincial and central governments. Ultimately, the Chinese system failed to take any substantial measures after a month since the first case was reported, as early as mid-November.

Wuhan is a city of 11 million people—a larger population than that of Greece or Portugal, and centrally located in Hubei province, which is the gateway for China's rail, road, and waterways. The outbreak happened on the eve of the Chinese New Year—an event that leads to the world's largest annual human migration when Chinese people travel to visit their family and friends during this auspicious celebration. The news agencies reported that almost five million Wuhan residents traveled out of Wuhan before the lockdown, some even abroad. Consequently, long before even knowing of the existence of the virus, it is possible that many carriers spread it all over China and other parts of the world. 

 A doctor in Wuhan in his 30s shared the presence of an unknown disease with his colleagues via a WeChat group. China's digital surveillance system did not take long to detect the doctor's message and brought it to the notice of the authorities. Soon after, police arrested Dr Li Wenliang for an allegation of spreading rumours and forced him to sign a letter denouncing himself for doing so. He was released soon after, but Covid-19 had become a reality by then. The doctor himself was infected and did not survive the virus. His death, and the unfair treatment he received for a warning that could have potentially saved thousands of lives, led to a wave of protests in Chinese social media. Despite the tight digital surveillance, the public outcry over Dr Li's death went viral as millions of Chinese netizens from all walks of life posted this quote—"A healthy society should not have only one voice."

This crisis posed an unprecedented challenge to the Chinese authorities and forced the ruling Communist Party to take draconian measures. The gravity of the pandemic was later recognised by the high command of the party leadership, who sought to make all-out efforts to contain the spread, designating their efforts as a "people's war". Soon after, hundreds of millions of people were put under lockdown for weeks, hospitals were built within a few weeks, the military was deployed, party cadres were mobilised at the grassroot levels, several local officials were sacked for their negligence and medical supplies were sourced on an emergency basis.

The pandemic has now hit Europe, North America, Asia and beyond, but this public health crisis has also revealed the shortfall of western governance in replicating the China style measures, however drastic and draconian, that have been identified by the WHO as a model to tackle this pandemic. China, due to the centrally controlled one-party state, was able to implement such measures effectively. As a result, new cases are declining drastically in contrast to many parts of the world. However, one question remains—would the world even be facing this crisis if China had allowed the free flow of information and took action at the beginning?

Courtesy

thedailystar.net with slight amendments (editing).