Fighting for survival- generation after generation

Fighting for survival- generation after generation
By: Aftab Alam
With shadows of the monsoon already lurking on the doorstep, an old resident of H-11 Sector in Islamabad is busy in an effort to safely see through the rough weather conditions which is a trademark of monsoon in the country. Helping him in this endeavor is a cute little soul who bravely manages a hearty laughter under a heavy load of the loaf of mud she tries to handle. This is a scene quite common in Pakistan where it is the first priority of the have-nots to put an extra layer of mud before the setting in of heavy rains to their straw-roofed, mud-plastered houses that face a real danger of being damaged at the cruel hands of nature. This extra layer of mud protects them against leakage of the roof that may dampen the whole house.

Surprisingly, the scene is not from a far off, deprived place of the country rather it is taking place within the Capital- right under the nose of the Government whose greatest slogan still echoes in the memories of the voters of this nation- ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makaan’ ( bread, clothing and houses for all Pakistanis). Nobody is bothered about the safety of the houses of this deprived poor majority of the country.
The wrinkled face of the old man is a proof enough of the many rough monsoons he had to face throughout his life. The mud-stained clothes he wears tell a story of the man’s fate. There is a strange air of sobriety and solemnity in the appearance of the old man especially his hands- the hands that have made the foundations of this country so strong that no storm of conspiracy and corruption can dare to damage it. The way he receives the mud from the girl’s hands with affection shows his attachment to the soil of the motherland.

Under the burden of life

Blank eyed, dry lipped: Are they alive?
By Aftab Alam
Published in the News, Islamabad on 13th July, 2010


Striding steadily under the heavy load they carry on their heads, two young girls cast a blank glance on the photographer who tries to capture their graceful gait under the bundle of wood for fueling their stoves. The expressionless faces lack the innocence that has been taken away due to continuous and uninterrupted exposure to poverty that is there since the time they were born.
Although they might be stranger to the word ‘fashion’, still they have elegance and grace in the way they are dressed. They still manage to showcase whatever is within their reach – trying to match bangles, nose pins, and dresses.

The barrenness of the background is also complementing the withered fortunes they have been eternally awarded by the deciders of their fate. Who is to be blamed? No one except us! Why we? Because we negate the basic commandments of God to share with our fellow humans what we have been blessed affluently and they are deprived.

This photograph pictures the heart of the Capital of Pakistan where every common man is enjoying the basic rights to some extent, or at least it is claimed so. Just imagine the deplorable plight of the poor people who are abiding in the hard-to-reach, far off places of the country where they have to live below the line of poverty.

UNDP releases outline of the upcoming HD report

UNDP releases outline of the upcoming HD report
published in the News
Monday, July 05, 2010
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=248907
By: Aftab Alam
The year 2010, being the twentieth anniversary of the human development report, offers a prospect to re-evaluate its role in order to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

The expectations seem to be met by the Human Development Report titled ‘20 Years On: Pushing the Frontiers of Human Development’ to be published in October.

Since 1990, annual Human Development Reports have been exploring different challenges, including poverty, gender, democracy, human rights, cultural liberty, globalisation, water scarcity, climate change and mobility. This year’s report keeps ‘human’ as the central figure to development, focusing on the implications of the human development approach for development policies and strategies.

The Human Development Report has been a key force in thinking about development, not only by stressing the per capita income as the solitary gauge of a society’s progress, but also by exploring how a people-centred approach affects the way we should think about key challenges.

The reports have covered subjects as diverse as participation, cultural liberty and financing, as well as larger global challenges like cooperation and climate change.

The 2010 report aims to take this role notably further by demonstrating how placing human development at the centre of our priorities changes the ways in which we think about, devise, practice and monitor development policies planned to support empowerment, tackle inequality and deal with sustainability.

“Human development (HD) is about putting people at the centre of development. It is about people realising their potential, increasing their choices and enjoying the freedom to lead lives they value,” is the definition of HD given by UNDP.

The anticipated outline of the report has three parts. First, a methodical appraisal of progress and setbacks in human development since the 1970s, discussing what has been achieved, what seems to work, and what are the key gaps and constraints.

The second part will re-examine the concept of human development — and its measurement, including the Human Development Index — and recommend the improvement needed to help policymakers ensure that people are at the centre of development. The third and final part would emphasise tangible implications for policy and development strategies, sketching recommendations for a new development agenda.

This way the 2010 report will hunt for expressing a schema (an outline of a plan) for transformation to fortify a ‘New Human Development Deal’ that can significantly advance development thinking and policies.

Significant emphasis will be placed on the knowledge that comes from developing countries and regions, reflecting the belief that placing people at the centre of development also implies putting people at the centre of the generation of knowledge about development, and by knowing how communities and local stakeholders understand the practice of development.

Monsoon’s maiden shower: twin cities’ residents throng resorts and parks

Monsoon’s maiden shower: twin cities’ residents throng resorts and parks

By: Aftab Alam

(Published in ‘the News’ on June 30,2010 --
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=247995

( Published in ‘ the Frontier Post on June 30,2010)

ISLAMABAD, June 29: The residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad had a great sigh of relief with the first shower of monsoon bathing them to the roots after a prolonged spell of intense heat, here Tuesday.
Most of the families preferred to enjoy the pleasant weather at different picnic spots of Islamabad.
Muhammad Arshad, a resident of Dhok Syeddan, Rawalpindi who took his wife and two children for a picnic to Daman-e-Koh said, “The pleasant weather gave me a chance to come here with my family to have some nice time.”
Snober Arshad, his wife excitedly said, “Our children were having summer vacation and they demanded it time and again to take them to some resort but the intense heat forced us to stay at home. Today’s rain gave us the much needed chance to take our kids for outing.” “ We went to Rawal Dam first but then we decided to come here and we are happy that the kids are having a lot of fun,” she concluded smilingly.
Another teenage age boy, Yasir Gulfam playing ‘hide and seek’ with his cousins at Rawal Lake View Pont said while panting, “ We are having great time and pray to God that the weather remain pleasant for some more days so that we can enjoy our summer vacation to the full.”
Yasir Ahmad, a student of the local university who came to Damn-e-Koh with his class-mates said, “I woke up this morning by the sound of rain drops striking against the widow-pane of my bedroom, I contacted my friends and we have come here to enjoy the first rain of the monsoon.”
A girl named Shazia Waqar who accompanied his parents to Pakistan Monument said, “It was a much needed shower that we had this morning after a long period. Life had become so tough, dry and dull due to the scorching heat wave we had, but the first shower of rain has added rainbow to our life and we are here to enjoy.”
The resorts of Islamabad witnessed a great rush and people pouring in dozens whole day.

The first monsoon spell is expected to continue for three to four days and after a break of few days, it will persist for the whole season with intervals, according to weather reports. Whereas the monsoon has started here, people living in Southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan will have to show patience as Monsoon will not start there before the first week of July.

A heritage begging to be developed as a tourist spot

A heritage begging to be developed as a tourist spot

By: Aftab Alam

Published in the News on 05-07-2010 -- can be viewed at--
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=248911

A few miles away from the Shrine of Pir Mehr Ali Shah of Golra Sharif, is a railway junction named after the saint, having no sign board to intimate the visitor about its presence, and without a proper parking lot except the shades of the trees behind a local market.

The very first impression of the station is not impressive at all. A few steps ahead and you reach the platform without any proper entrance. But the moment you cast a passing glance on the platform you start thinking that first impression is not necessarily always the last impression. A long queue of the majestic Banyan trees on the platform seem to guard the station master’s office, the adjacent heritage museum and the people on the station against the burning heat of summer

The Golra Junction Railway Station, some 1,994 feet above sea level, is located in the southeast of the Margalla Hills and east of the cradle of Ghandara civilization, the ancient city of Taxila. The station was established in 1882 and upgraded as junction in 1912, connecting Peshawar, Kohat and Havalian.

Banyan trees, with trunks newly painted white make the platform one of the most romantic and traditional platform that portray a true Victorian age surrounding for the tourists. On the left side of the platform is a hand-crane, claiming to be tested for lifting 508kg weight in 1984. The small, stone platform of the Victorian style railway station is calm, quiet and clean. The old lampposts and benches have been given a new look by painting them. You can see very few passengers on the platform as being a small station it does not observe a large gathering even when the trains arrive here on their way to Rawalpindi or Peshawar.

Items on display at the platform include a hand pump of 1901, and a Heritage Special Train’, driven by an ancient steam engine accompanied by passenger coaches. The 110-year-old narrow gauge steam locomotive, steam cranes, saloons, passenger and freight coaches. “The saloon in green paint belongs to the Viceroy-e-Hind, Lord Mountbatten,” informed the station master.

An interesting fact about the 110-year-old steam engine is that, it has been in regular use, as early as 1990 and is still in running condition. A display model of the lane changing and up and down signal has also been installed.




But due to improper facilities and lack of promotion, Golra Junction Railway Junction has failed to attract visitors even from twin cities.
Non-availability of pure drinking water and proper food outlet may leave the visitors in the lurch that may either return back or courageously face the situation during their stay at the spot, which otherwise offers tremendous joy and pleasure to people of all ages.
The natural character of the site is rich to the extent that one can sit under the trees throughout the day, fascinated by the tranquility and serenity of the atmosphere.
As the people rarely visit the museum, no one has yet set up any food outlet in the vicinity of railway station. If managed properly, the site can present spectacular recreation to capital residents. Developing a park with proper seating and other facilities may attract more visitors to enjoy this congenial atmosphere.
Cast iron bell which previously was on display has now been put inside the museum. It was made by the O.S. Bell Co., Hillsboro, Ohio, USA.The Station Master, M. Ramzan seems to be part of this heritage because of his Victorian manners, politeness and courtesy.

8pm-Shutter Down - frustrating buyers and sellers alike

8pm-Shutter Down - frustrating buyers and sellers alike
By:Aftab Alam
(Published in ‘The News’ on 29-06-2010 --you can view this on
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=247851
“We have won democracy after a prolonged struggle against dictatorship. It is time for the government to give us relief rather than imposing dictatorial decisions, such as this, costing 80% loss to my business” , says Izhar Khan of ‘Fashion Affairs’ who has been running this shop for the last 20 years in Abpara Market Islamabad, expressing his deep grudges against the decision to close markets at 8pm.

Government had earlier announced a comprehensive plan to overcome the energy crisis on April 22, 2010 and closure of businesses at 8:00 pm was among other decisions. Traders of Islamabad defied the government’s decision after which the government started shutting down the supply of electricity to the markets at 8pm., forcing small traders who didn’t afford to buy a generator or UPS to shutter their shops down near 8pm.

Raja Hassan, who was sitting perturbed soon after the lights were out at 8pm in Abpara Market said, “ Market do not observe complete closure at 8pm and those who can afford the generators or UPS remain open. I wait sitting idle till 10pm and then restart my business. It has cost me more than 50% loss.”

M.Qayyum said, “. No other government has ever taken such a cruel decision during my 30 years business life in the market. The closing time should be 10 rather than 8pm.”

Waseem Ahmad, at Ilmi Book Centre Abpara, said, “We are suffering10-15 % loss due to load-shedding at 8pm, what problem the government has when we are using our own generators to cater for the energy needs of the shop?”

Not conforming to the majority, M.Tariq at Modern Bakers appreciated it saying it is a landmark decision to inculcate discipline in our Nation.”


On the other hand the shoppers also feel a rush of blood when the closure time approaches and a panic can be seen on their faces.

A lady in her 70s named Ruqqyya Bibi at Super Market criticized saying “I have been residing in the capital for the last 43 Years, I still remember the golden days of Ayub Khan when everything was cheap. We have to die one day but this government has given us untimely death in the form of price-hike, load-shedding and closure of markets to destroy the business community.”

“It is too hot to shop during the day, “said Mussarat Tanweer, at Super Market as she rushed towards a closing shop to buy something.

Another shopper at Abpara Market named Saima Yaqoob , resident of G-6 Sector, said, “I am a teacher in the evening shift at a local school and return home round 7:30; my husband comes back from office in the evening. How can I buy the grocery items and other things of necessity? I don’t know what sin we have committed for which we have to pay the price!”