Crisis nation

The writer is a barrister and a public policy graduate from Harvard University mahreen.khan@tribune.com.pk

The worst floods in living memory. Hundreds are dead or dying. Millions displaced. Crops destroyed, livestock drowned, homes, roads, bridges and irrigation systems washed away. Decades of development submerged under deep waters of despair. Then, the nation’s economic jugular, Karachi, starts bleeding. It’s almost too much to come to terms with.

So, instead of galvanising a spirit of national unity in the face of such adversity, consolidating national and public opinion, and raising morale, the nation’s attention and energy has been squandered instead on a lesser issue. There has been a chorus of outrage and disbelief at the president’s decision to leave Pakistan for a private trip to France and the UK. Although much of the criticism has dubious motives – there is clear political opportunism by the PML-N, which has unduly magnified this issue, and barely masked glee, as anchors have roasted hapless government spokespersons on the presidential itinerary – the trip is indefensible. At a time of multiple national crises, it is insensitive, unnecessary, and very poorly timed. The French leg seems to have revolved around a quick handshake with Sarkozy and a helicopter jaunt, more suited to a Hello magazine spread, to view a 16th century castle, apparently a part of the Zardari property portfolio. The UK schedule has a few run-of-the-mill meetings and a face to face with David Cameron, whose recent statements have been spectacularly prejudicial to Pakistan and reflected his superior ability as a salesman for British goods to India, rather than as a statesman on serious international issues. Pakistan’s indignation and protest is not best conveyed by a summer trip to the UK by its head of state.

What is safe to predict is that the presidential trip to Europe will be relatively insignificant, one way or the other, whereas the short- and long-term effects of the flood will be grave and serious for all Pakistanis. The hoopla over the visit has taken up valuable time and attention. A detailed assessment of the relief efforts is only just getting under way in the media and, more importantly, Pakistanis have been so distracted, that there seems to be a paralysis of thought and action amongst the public as to how to assist their fellow countrymen. Raising money for flood victims has started but not on the level that was seen in the earthquake of 2005, even though this tragedy is far more widespread, already swamping three provinces. The long term impact on agriculture, livestock and food inflation could instigate a crisis of unimaginable proportions. The Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund is woefully low because people have no faith that their donations, which could easily amount to the billions required from zakat and sadqa alone during the more benevolent atmosphere of Ramazan, will reach the victims. Thus far, the volunteers, rescuers and soldiers deployed for rescue and relief have made up for the lack of equipment and funds by sheer zeal and determination. Almost 70,000 people have been successfully rescued and shifted to safer ground, hundreds of tons of food aid from the army has been air-dropped to stranded communities, and the armed forces are relocating as many as possible as the flood waters course through Sindh in the next few days.

It is time for Pakistanis to concentrate their efforts and attention to the victims of the flood, in whatever capacity is possible, by raising and donating money and collecting items requested. Many charities are asking for sums of around five million dollars for their flood relief programmes in Pakistan — this would be less than 0.5 per cent of the estimated wealth of the Zardari family (estimated at $1.5 billion) and the Sharif clan (trailing slightly at a reported $1.4 billion). As Imran Khan has pointed out, Zardari and Sharif alone could rescue and feed millions of desperate Pakistanis with what would be spare change to them. Instead of emotional speeches and empty promises, impassioned chest thumping about the “ghareeb awam”, let’s see if they donate this miniscule proportion of their wealth. Ordinary Pakistanis here and abroad, celebrities and media are now becoming active in the relief campaign, demonstrating yet again that Pakistanis have resilience, resolve and empathy. We may be a nation in crisis but our spirit is not.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2010.