Friday 28 December 2012

 "Dr. Tahir-Ul-Qadri "A Revolutionary Or A Smoke Screen"

Lahore (Minar e Pakistan) December 23rd witnessed the rise of a new Avatar named "Professor Dr .Tahir-Ul-Qadri" with a new slogan,"Save The Country Rather Politics". Our media telecasted the whole saga for almost four hours, without any commercial and News Bulletin breaks, cannot remember such a live coverage given to any other political party in recent history, except October 30th 2011 ( Given to Media Darling "Imran Khan", who raised the slogan of Change and eradicating corruption in ninety days) and December 25th 2011. PTI promised changes in ninety days, Dr.Sahib wants to do it in just less than a month.
When you revisit a decade old history, you find Dr.Tahir ul Qadri standing by "Dictator Musharraf", who came with a slogan of "Enlightened Moderation and Accountability across the Board"(which was restricted to eliminating one Poll Party  "PML").
Professor Tahir Ul Qadri unfortunately was among those politicians who welcomed "Marshall law", stood with the dictator, openly supporting his "Referendum" and actively canvasing for his success in "Referendum". Later took part in 2002 General Elections and could  manage to win his own NA seat (blessing of  a dictator), from which he latter resigned and got "Canadian Immigration"Qadri Sahib should give an explanation, (why he choose to immigrate to Canada to enjoy a luxurious life?) while the masses suffered under the rule of a dictator.
 It is a mystery, what compelled Qadri Sahib after living six Years in exile as "Canadian National" to come back to Pakistan and actively take part in Politics, spending Millions and millions of rupees for organising rallies in different parts of Pakistan, before coming to day of Reckoning "23rd December"(which according to some Media Reports, estimated 60-70 crore of rupees were spent on publicity and campaigning , both in Electronic and Print Media, almost for a month).
Finally on December 23, where Minar-e-Pakistan witnessed Qadri Sahib performance, people from across Pakistan especially Punjab brought in Buses, Cars, Vans, Trucks etc. to Minar e Pakistan to Qadri Sahib historic and Path Defining address, where Qadri Sahib got so much excited to witness a huge crowd that he almost forgot his prayers for the day, while Moulana Sahib of near by Badshahi Mosque kept on reminding Professor sahib of missing prayers.

Finally Qadri Sahib began his Historic and Revolutionary speech (taking shelter behind a bullet proof cabin) , where he, like an expert and articulate constitutional Lawyer, told the crowd how unfairly you people been treated in last 41/2 years by this failed and corrupt "Parliament"(majority of them are fake degree holders and elected with bogus votes). How this corrupt lot, can be held accountable by referring  their cases to different clauses of  "Constitutional Articles". Who appointed Chief Election Comissioner whose integrity is beyond doubt.

Qadri Sahib went a step further by demanding the consultation of Chief Justice and Army Chief for the proposed "Caretaker Setup" in the coming General Elections, if these inept and corrupt rulers are not held accountable in a given 90 days time frame , Caretakers time frame can be extended to "Unlimited" period. Threatening a "Long March", if his demands are not met by January 10 and Conquer Islamabad with his "Army Of Muredains" Which he claims, are spread in 90 Countries. He quotes examples of Europeans countries, but knowledgeable Dr.Sahib does not know that caretaker setups in those countries are the ruling parties. Democracies in those countries have come through a continuous process. Laws are already in place, question is their implementation.
There are few questions, which Qadri Sahib failed to explain in his historic address....
1) How can a "Canadian National", lead a mass movement, while being a foreign National??
While in an article in Dawn "quote" (I am a Pakistani by birth, while a Canadian by choice).
Canadian Oath
  swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.[10]
2) In which article of the Constitution, role of "Chief Justice and Army Chief" is defined regarding consultation of "Caretaker setup"??. )
3) When will Qadri Sahib challenge his pending enquiry report in "LHC", where a Commission established by Honourable Court declared Qadri Sahib a Fraud and mentally sick, a man who can go to any extent to gain political mileage??.)
4) When will Qadri sahib tell the Nation, from where he got hundred of Millions for his Campaign, whether money Used was from "Minhaj-Ul-Quran Foundation", if not,will Qadri Sahib permit a forensic Audit of the money used in the Rally??.
5) Qadri Sahib say, I have never told "a lie" in my whole life (Sohail Warriach on Geo). He says, blasphemy Law was framed by him and this applies equally to every human being on this earth. While giving interview to a foreign channel, he contradicts his own statement and in the same breath  says, this does not apply to non Muslims

Now Question arises, what are motives behind Tahir-ul-Qadris, sudden Love and affection for the Mother Land, with General Election so near, two things can be inferred from Qadris fiasco, either Bosses are fed up With Democracy, want to create a "Technocratic Setup" until corrupt rulers are held accountable. But Under Current circumstances "CJ and Election Commissioner", are highly unlikely to back this unconstitutional move, so General Elections seem to be a foregone conclusion. Secondly to form an "Holy Alliance" like in 1977 "PNA" and Post October 1999.


 Recently concluded By Polls, clearly depicting the trend and mood in Punjab, the Real Battle Field  of General Election, who so-ever wins it, automatically forms Government in Centre. where "PMLN" seems to be the front runner by quite a distance. Qadri Sahib entry is an effort to shrink right wing vote bank, which PMLN is banking on and clearly taking the lead, as "PTI" failed miserably to retain that momentum gained after 30th October Jalsa. As shown in recent by Polls, PMLN not only won by large margin but also improved their vote bank. Recently conducted polls by "IRI" show PTI losing support in much talked about Youth between the age of 18 to 25 years and a sharp decrease in popularity, while PMLN gaining significantly.
Clearly the game plan looks to create a "Hung Parliament", as "Mian Nawaz Sharif" is proving himself a Modern day Bhutto (Bhutto wanted to bring social changes by nationalisation while MNS wants to bring changes by burdening the rich, extending the tax net and bring socioeconomic reforms by good governance), clearly the man to beat in next General Election. All necessary arrangements of Grand Alliance are being made, PPP seems to accept it as a lost battle, trying to survive and powers who matter, think only PMLN is left to deal with. MQM has already participated in the Jalsa, Altaf Bahi declared Tahir-ul-Qadri the Saviour. Imran Khan termed Qadri Sahib manifesto as his own, for which he is striving for 16 long years, SMQ officially congratulated Qadri sahib on his Jalsa. Similarly Choudhries of Gujrat also Welcomed Qadri Sahib historic address, (ready to ditch PPP, if given a reasonable choice) and members of DPC also joined hands. Shiekh Rashid known as spokesman of Bosses was quick to welcome Qadri Sahib as well.
After "Qadris" last night interview on Geo, people are more confused than ever as to  what is the purpose of all these activities. No one else, but targeted PML(N) only, he condoned Bhatta, targeted killing etc. of MQM ( Supreme court on Karachi situation). Is he a stake holder.
 Stage is all set for political manoeuvring and behind the scenes last minute moves, lets hope and pray Democracy will be net beneficiary, we all should have learnt our lesson from our past.


Saturday 15 December 2012

Dengue Politics In Punjab

                                                 Dengue Politics In Punjab

Dengue history goes back to 1779 when a few cases were reported in China but the real threat emerged in Second World War when Dengue epidemic spread like wild fire.. Dengue cases peaked between 1980 to 2011 when  epidemics were reported  in different parts of the world, killing thousands and continuously growing with each passing year.
Surveys projected that  50 to 100 Million people were affected by this virus during 2010-11 and close to 22,000 deaths were reported ( mostly children) .Roughly 40 % of world population meaning 2.5 Billion people come under Dengue epidemic area.



Pakistan was hit by this menace via used tyres imported in year 1999 to 2001. According to some experts, epidemic started picking up in 2006-7 onwards and in 2011 Pakistan suffered one of the worst Dengue attack in recent history  where estimated half a Million people contracted this virus but as per Punjab government officials, diagnosed cases were closed to 25,000 and estimated casualties were between 350-360.
Now question arises, could we have done something to prevent it? The answer in NO.Being a Third world country it would not have been wise to spent Billions and Billions of Rupees on it while thousands dieing from Hepatitis,Malaria,Gastro-Enteritis,Typhoid etc etc (Still a debatable fact) were neglected. United States of America being a developed country suffered a small out break in 2001 and then 2005.
In 2012,  where around the world Dengue cases increased in number but also in casualties, neighbouring India suffered from this epidemic some days back,  there were shortages of Platelets in Dehli, Pune had ICU bed shortages,Famous director Yash Chopra succumbed to this virus as well,despite having all the resources similar is the case with many a countries
 What Pakistan has done differently the whole world is admiring....whether its Srilankan experts( in recently concluded seminar in Lahore that we are in Pakistan to learn from your experience rather than giving you people some tips), WHO or other agencies.
 Its CM Shahbaz Sharif administrative skills, will and determination to eradicate this menace which saved thousands of lives. Punjab Government orchestrated comprehensive policy to eliminate Dengue in 2012:
   




          

TRADITIONAL WAYS 
  • Elimination of containers 
  • Ornamental pills chlorination plus Larvi-vorous fish
  • Solid waste management
  • Chemical spraying
Punjab Govt did differently,  innovated new ideas were floated from the lesson learned in 2011, experience gained from epidemic spread in 2011, kind and gracious International help, especially Srilanka,WHO and Indonesia (Srilankan doctors need special appreciation).

   
                                                                                                                                  INNOVATED WAYS              
          • "Emergency Help Line", equipped with trained staff, giving Dengue information to affectees and also guiding about preventive measures.
          • "Smart Phone Software", to detect Dengue Larvae plus areas of possible out break(never used in world before, brain child of Pakistani Software genius Dr.Umer Saif)
          • Training of Doctors, Paramedics, creating whole new Administrative structure  especially designed to control and prevent Dengue.
                                                                                                         Dengue Awareness Campaign",led by CM himself comprising door to door, using print and electronic media, civil society, students of different school, colleges, universities plus involving politician of Dengue hit areas(ruling party contributing the maximum).

            Creating specialised Dengue wards and ICU beds for Dengue Hemorrhagic fever.

            Air lifting Platelet separators from different countries, plus installing CBC analysers in different hospitals.

            Sending Doctors, Paramedics and administrators abroad for specialized Dengue training.

            creating specialized dengue spraying teams, because in 2011 most of the staff didn't even know the different kind of sprays used in dengue control and prevention. "Dengue Brigade".

             Establishing independent "Dengue Control Authority", very important step for future control.
  












RESULT
      
Thousands and thousands of lives saved with all these measures in 2011 alone 
 UNDER 300 CASES  IN PUNJAB AND NOT A SINGLE DEATH IN 2012.

 Role of Media and  Political parties.

Unfortunately all of them failed to fulfill their noble duty except a few (Capital Talk, Bolta Pakistan, Apas ki Baat and Aj Kamran khan ke sath did some thought provoking programmes,similar a few in print Media).For the sake of point scoring, their whole focus was on one point  that was chemical spraying and fake medicine used in sprays. Political Leaders  who knew nothing about Dengue and chemicals, briefed media on different ways of chemical spray to eradicate Dengue and which chemicals should have been used. Media unknowingly became a tool of false propaganda and information. Some very renowned leaders of political parties called Sharif brothers  as "Dengue Brothers".
For record, chemical spraying has little value in Dengue epidemic control because it is not possible to carry out the mass spraying, it is associated with too many hazards and resistant varieties of mosquitoes. Even preventive chemical spraying is  just a small part of bigger picture(experts say, less than 10 %).
          Secondly Media became a source of injecting Panic among the masses , created unnecessary and uncalled for, fear in hearts and minds of everyone, rather it should have created  awareness, it must be remembered that mortality with Dengue is almost zero, it appears as flu like illness and leave unnoticed on first attack, even in Dengue Hemorrhagic fever with good medical facility the Fatality Rate is not more than 1%.
          Lessons to be learnt, there may be many outbreaks of different diseases in coming months, years and decades. We should not politicize things, rather devise a comprehensive national strategy to avoid these kind of disasters in future as we did in 2012 provided we are blessed with a person, having the caliber of CM Shehbaz Sharif who wakes at 6 in the morning and monitors everything personally till after midnight.