Volume 2, Issue 2
March 2014
Sindhi American Political Action Committee
Sindh Guardian INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Development Deficit of Rural Sindh
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Valuing our Women
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Interview with Michael kugelman
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Bowling Green State University What about the Children? Contact page
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SINDHI AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Vol. 2 Issue 2
Development Deficit of Rural Sindh Naseer Memon Debate on a new province in Karachi was recently fueled by the leadership of the MQM (Muttahida Quami Movement). Although the statement was immediately rescinded to avoid a looming political catastrophe, it left traces of bad taste among people of Sindh. What was sad is that in pursuance of narrow political gains, facts were distorted and a misleading misperception was created that people living in Karachi are being exploited at the expense of rural communities. Such insinuations are far from reality when one delves into hard facts. While Karachi is home to numerous problems, it is still the most prosperous city of the province and the country. In fact urban communities, in spite of facing a medley of miseries, are the most privileged segment of society. A cursory look at various indicators of human development can corroborate this assertion. According to the annual statistical bulletin of Federal Government employees and the employees of autonomous/semiautonomous bodies/corporations
(2011-12) issued by the Education is a key Establishment Division, the indicator of human development Urban Sindh’s share is actually where rural Sindh is in a higher than the allocation. In shambles. Annual Status of federal government jobs, urban Education Report (ASER) 2013 Sindh has 26,871 seats ranks Karachi as the best district compared to 34,224 of rural in the country. In Karachi 73.4 seats. It makes 44 percent of percent children of 3 to 5 years provincial share i.e. four percent age have access to pre-school higher than education, “Education is a key the compared to allocation. In 27.9% in Umer indicator of human Kot and 29.9% grade 22 development where jobs, Urban of Mirpur Khas. rural Sindh is in a Sindh has 13 In Sindh, Karachi has the seats against shambles.” only three of lowest number Rural Sindh. Similarly in of out-of-school children i.e. 6.8% autonomous bodies and compared to 46% in Badin and corporations, Urban Sindh has 41.4% in Tando Allahyar. The District Education 49,265 seats against 39,595 of Pakistan Rural Sindh. It makes 55.42 Ranking 2013 of the Alif Ailaan percent, which is 15.42 percent project also ranks Karachi at the more than the allocated share as top under all major indicators in per constitution. According to the Sindh province. According to a annual statistical report 2010 of news item published in the Daily the Bureau of Statistics, Sindh Express Tribune (4th Feb 2014), has 1,825 major industrial there are 9,866 private schools in establishments, of which 1198 the province, of which 6,215 are are located in Karachi. These in Karachi providing better industries provide better em- education opportunities to the ployment opportunities com- dwellers. According to the official pared to a crumbling agricultural website of the Higher Education sector in rural areas. Commission, 24 of 25 private universities and degree awarding institutions of Sindh are located in Karachi. Additionally there are six other such institutions working under the Charter of the provincial government.
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Health is also considered a major indicator of social wellbeing. Karachi has the best health facilities and services available in the country. According to “Sindh Health Sector Strategy 2012-20”, Karachi has 134 private hospitals out of a total of 358 in the province. The city has 1917 General Practitioner Clinics out of 4122 in the province. Karachi has 176 Obstetrics and gynecology specialists out of 243 in the whole province. The districts of Matyari, Tando Mohammad Khan, Badin, Tando Allah Yar and Dadu do not have a single such expert available. Similarly the city has 171 Pediatricians out of total 239 in Sindh. Out of 1407 nurses, 1123 nurses are in Karachi. Ten top institutions of medical and dental education are also located in Karachi. According to a 2010 report of the Pakistan Nursing Council, 25 recognized Nursing colleges are located in Karachi and only five in the rest of Sindh. This explains the yawning gap of health implications in Urban and Rural Sindh. According to the same report, prenatal care coverage in Rural Sindh is only 49% compared to 85% in Urban Sindh. The corresponding figures of postnatal care are 29 and 85 percent.
Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2003-04 reveals that 73% of deliveries are managed through insti-tutions in Karachi, compared to 29% in Thatta, 31% in Tharparkar and only 18% in Naushehro Feroz. Infant Mortality Rate in Karachi is reported as the lowest at 46 out of 1000 live births compared to an appalling IMR of 91 in Thatta, 90 in Jacobabad, 88 in Nawab Shah, 84 in Larkano and 87 in Tharparkar and Badin. According to the World Bank’s report Securing Sindh’s Future, 87% children are immunized in Urban Sindh compared to 62% in rural areas. The mortality rate of up to 5-year old children is 55 out of 100,000 live births, which is twice as high 120 in rural areas. These details sufficiently explain that urban Sindh has far better facilities and services in the health sector, which translates into better quality of life. Overall ranking of districts under the human development index also depicts Karachi far ahead of rural areas of Sindh and the country. Studies conducted by various reputed organizations rank Karachi at the top on human development indicators. The Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC), a Karachi based reputed research organization, produces high quality research reports in the development sector. The annual report of 2001 by SPDC, “Growth, Inequity and Poverty,” ranked Karachi as the lowest in Pakistan on the deprivation index. At a scale of 1 to 16, Karachi scored 1 in the province compared to Badin at 16, the most deprived district, followed
by Thatta in 15th and Tharparkar in 14th as the most deprived districts. Another of SPDC’s reports, “Social and Economic Development Ranking of Districts of Pakistan,” also ranked Karachi as the most developed district in the social sector. Next in Sindh was Hyderabad in 17th and Naushehro Feroz in 22nd. In 2003 UNDP issued the National Human Development Report of Pakistan. Key indicators of human development e.g. literacy ratio, enrollment ratio, infant survival, immunization, real GDP per capita and educational attainment were analyzed to rank the districts. Karachi was ranked at number one in Sindh and number five in the country. The Government of Pakistan’s official report “Pakistan Millennium Development Goals Report-2006” also ranks Karachi at the top under several indicators of MDGs. With the best available facilities of life, it would be unfair to mourn for Karachi’s deprivation and demand a separate province on such misleading assertions. There is no denial that life in Karachi is far below the desired one, yet it is far better than rural Sindh. Sanity demands that the leadership of Sindh should strive together for overall development of the province rather than issuing divisive statements, which will serve no good purpose to the people of Sindh.
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Valuing our
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Alicia Jonah Are women important? The answer should be yes. Women make up half of the population! And in Sindh history, women place a special role. They are the heroines in stories; they are brave, strong, and caring. It seems that this version of women has given way to them being seen as weak and submissive, by some within and outside of Sindh. The status of women has altered due to changes in society from people immigrating into and emigrating out of the Sindh region. One of the indicators that track the progress of women in society is the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The MDG came from the United Nations (UN) Millennium Declaration, which asserted that every person has dignity and therefore has the right to freedom, equality, and basic standards of living. These basic standards include freedom from hunger and violence and encourage tolerance and solidarity. Historically, Sindh has embodied the ideas of the MDGs but there has been a change that is clearly reflected in how women are being treated in society. As of 2011, women in Sindh made up 11.3% of people in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector. The MDG seek for women to make up 14% by the year 2015. The downside of women not moving into the wage sector is that their work is not counted. According to the Report on the Statues of Millennium Development Goals Sindh, “labor force participation for rural women is estimated comparably better at 25.2 percent […] but this does not take into account women’s contribution to livestock management and vegetable farming which is unpaid work contriButing to household income in urban areas,
the labor force participation rate for females is extremely low at only 7.2 percent compared to 65.5 percent for men”. This disparity between men and women leaves women’s work to be valued less than the work of men. When women’s work is devalued because it does not earn money, it leads to women being devalued, rather than being respected as members of the community. While the roles of men and women might be different, it does not mean one is less valuable than the other. Along with seeking economic stability, women face the issue of being given to another family to settle debts, ending feuds or other issues that might arise between families. Hindu women in Sindh also face the issue of forced conversation, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which stated “the main complaint of Hindus in Sindh include the intimidation and forced conversation of young women […]”. Force conversions and trading women to settle debts does not show respect for women and relates to why women are unable to move ahead in arenas such as business. When young girls are kidnaped or tricked into marriage, it does nothing to bolster the image of the religion forcing the conversion. It shows that they do not respect women or the law. Families of women who have been forced to convert through marriage often struggle persuading the police to take the case. Rinkle Kumari’s father sought the help of the police when she was abducted. He stated to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, “it took all his efforts to persuade the police to lodge a case for her abduction. He alleged that once the case was registered, he had to face harassment on the court premises, which were surrounded by
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VALUE
heavily armed religious activists”. This shows a lack of respect on part of both the law enforcement for other people’s religion and for women. In many of these cases, the women are scared to admit that the conversion was unwilling even if their family is trying to get them back. For many women there is a constant state of fear, which can also be seen as a constant companion. While there are laws to prevent the use of forced and child marriages, they are not enforced at the local level resulting in the ineffectiveness of all law intents and purpose. Abbas and Riaz in their article, “Legal Protections Provided Under Pakistani Law against Anti-Women Practices: Implementation Gaps between Theory and Practice”, state that, “reports revealed that the practice of giving child girls as compensation has continued after the enactment of Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2004 […] Prevention of Anit-Women Practies (Criminal Law Amendment ) Act 2011 […] was drafted to stop continuous widespread violations of women rights.” While these acts and changes in law are good, these changes need to affect the lives of women not just in theory but also in practice. Though the situation of women might seem depressing, there is still a chance to change the direction of the way thing are going. Allowing girls to have access to education is one of the best ways to create a change in how women are viewed. With education, women will have the ability to enter the paid work force and increasing their value in society. By looking to the past for inspiration and understanding in Sindh and other regions of Pakistan, they may be able to change the current trend of valuing women as less than men. The rich history of Sindh shows how women have been and should be treated—they should be valued, respected, and loved.
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Interview with Michael Kugelman Alicia jonah, Michael volk, kim nguyen Recently, SAPAC was able to interview Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center. His area of expertise lies in U.S. Foreign Policy, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. He has written articles that have been published in The New York Times, Foreign Policy, and CNN.com. The interview covered a wide range of issues from judicial reform, extremist movement into the Sindh region, and the changing role in U.S. and Pakistan relations. One of the first questions asked was based on Kugelman’s article, “Could Pakistan Become a Sharia State?” in which he suggested that a move away from military action against terrorists and a move towards using imprisonment would be more effective. The question arising from this is does the Pakistani judicial system need rebuilding and how does this help or harm American interest? Mr. Kugelman stated that, “It is not a question of rebuilding the judiciary, but more so of using the judiciary in a more effective manner”. The two key issues are corruption of the police force and the judicial system at the local level. This corruption leads to lack of investigations of crime and an environment of impunity in which the terrorist work. While there is a will for reform from the higher courts, it is not their jurisdiction.
The judiciary system is already in place; therefore the goal should be reform rather than rebuilding. This would affect American interest indirectly, because the issue is domestic. America could help by providing civil assistance in the shape of legal reform, police training, and other nonpolitical and military actions. Thus, this would bring more security to both America and Pakistan from terrorist attacks. Another issue discussed was the movement of extremists from the North and Tribal regions into the Sindh region. This move has changed the composition of the region resulting in a more conservative view. There are those in Congress, like Brad Sherman, who view Sindh as a natural ally to the American Left to right, Alicia Jonah, Michael Kugelman, and Michael Volk. cause and advocate on their behalf. Related to this topic, the question was posed as to whether this type of support is “helpful”. Mr. Kugelman stated that he did not see this type of “help” as being useful since the issue of extremists moving into the Sindh region is more of an internal issue versus an international one. According to Mr. Kugelman, there are too many sides for America to choose one side and the best way that people such as Congressmen Sherman can help is by advocating and bringing light
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to the issues, even though it might not result in different provinces view themselves is the issue the quickest of actions. of Sharia law. There is a trend of the youth Other topics discussed dealt with the becoming more conservative and some think role that religion plays in the country; how this this shift could lead current Prime Minister affects the Sindh region, and also the possible Nawaz Sarif to view implementation of Sharia role of Sharia law. In regards to religion, it is law as an option. While Sharia law in and of one of the pillars on which the State was found. itself is not bad, how it will be implemented It is in the name of the country, “Islamic causes a problem. Republic of Pakistan”. According to Mr. Kugelman, the only One of the key points Mr. Kugelman way Sharif would look to the implementation of made about this Sharia law is if it relationship is that the could be a solution Decreasing the amount that is role of religion is not to the issue of the given in military aid and shifting clearly defined within Taliban. The gothe State. The disvernment has althat money to other areas through connect be-tween the ready given areas of USAID…would be a good idea in idea of the country the country over to theory. This would show people in (which is reflected by the Taliban and Sindh) and how the allowed the use of regions like Sindh that the United country is in reality, is Sharia law in those States does not only care about the also played out in the areas. Therefore, disconnect between Sharif might permilitary, but also about the people. the regions and the ceive giving certain It would enhance the trust between people of the different regions that are not the people and the United Sates regions. One way to seen as important by bridge the gap Islamabad to the versus the governments of the two between the reality Taliban, if it means and the ideal is to that the spread of countries. create space for Interthe Taliban will not faith dialogue becontinue. But this tween religious leaders who have immense option would have little to do with the “will” of influence over the people as well as how those the people and more to do with what is who are different from them are viewed. But politically effective at the time. one must ask, what incentive do the religious In pertaining to the role that the United leaders have to engage in interfaith dialogue? States can play in the region and how monetary While there are none for the extremists, it is up aid is used, the question asked how a change to the moderates to step up and take part. from military aid to more non-military aid would These moderate voices desire peace and affect the relationship between the United stability. They understand that these two in States and Pakistan. Decreasing the amount place will lead to helping the country become that is given in military aid and shifting that more profitable. money to other areas through USAID, which In regards to the split between the idea would monitor how that money is used, would and reality, Mr. Kugelman stated, “I am unsure be a good idea in theory. This would show that there is a solution to the dichotomy people in regions like Sindh that the United between the idea and the reality of Pakistan,” States does not only care about the military, but there are ways to bring the two closer but also about the people. It would enhance the together. Alongside Pakistani government views trust between the people and the United Sates of the nation and how the versus the governments of the two countries.
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SINDHI AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Vol. 2 Issue 2 The only issues with implementation of these types of polices lie within the United States government, due to the fact that there is currently an anti-Pakistan sentiment within Congress. Another way that decreasing military aid could help the relationship between the countries is through changing America’s view from Af-Pak to viewing Pakistan as part of the rest of Asia. Although this is not a change that America can force since it has more to do with how Pakistan presents itself, according to Mr. Kugelman, America can help Pakistan integrate back into Asia both physically and economically by playing the role of facilitator in developing relationships with its neigh-bors. America can also help with infrastructure within the country. But the challenge for change lies with the government of Pakistan. One of these necessary changes is how India is viewed. India, recently, has not show much concern over Pakistan, but is more concerned about the role China is playing. If trade between Pakistan and India were more open and the benefits benefited more than the major cities, it would be advantageous to people such at those in Sindh. The key for moving away from Af-Pak and towards Asia is trade and a change in military posture.
While trade might be possible, the other side of the coin—a change in posture—may not be possible. Many of the younger leaders are more conservative than previous leaders, therefore, are less willing to change their views on India. The final and maybe most important question that was asked was what do you think is the most important issue facing Pakistan? To which Mr. Kugelman replied that it was not the possible split of Balochistan or necessarily the human rights violations in Sindh, but rather it is the division between the classes and the inequality that result from those divisions. Due to these divisions, there are issues within the political system that cause more problems. An example of this can be seen in Sindh, where there is a feudal landlord tenant relationship between the landowner and the people working the land. Many of the farmers depend on landowners for water and basic needs. Most of the water goes to the landlords, which harm the local farmers, leaving them with no livelihood.
Land reforms are necessary throughout the country but since many of the politicians are landowners, these reforms fall flat. The people in power have shown little concern with persons of little or no power and have no real interest in helping those at the bottom. Overall, the relationship between Sindh and the United States cannot be viewed in isolation—it has to be viewed as part of a whole relationship. By changing some of its policies and shifting its point of view, America can change its influence in the country. The relationship between America, Pakistan, and Sindh is evolving, leaving room for change towards the better for all parties involved.
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Academic Advocacy: Notes from
Bowling green state university Michael volk
Munawar Laghari Photo Credit: Anthony Kappler of The BG News
On February 25, 2014 Munawar (Sufi) Laghari and Michael Volk gave a presentation on Sindh at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. This was the third such event promoted by the Sindhi American Political Action Committee, and the crowd was captivated by the discussion on Sindh. Dr. Marc Simon, professor of Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies at Bowling Green, introduced the speakers and moderated the event. Mr. Volk, being alumni of the university, commenced with an introduction on Sindh and US-Pakistan relations. As he began, he asked the gathering of students, “How many of you do not know where Sindh is?” Nearly every hand in the crowd of over forty students raised into the air. Thus, Mr. Volk proceeded by explaining that Sindhis are a peaceful and accepting people who live in what is
now southern Pakistan, though most Sindhis disagree with the idea of Sindh being a part of Pakistan. As Mr. Laghari later stated, Pakistan has existed for just over 65 years, but Sindh claims deep historical roots, having existed for many thousands of years. Despite this historical fact, Mr. Volk explained how Sindhis are kidnapped, tortured and murdered for speaking out against the Pakistani military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which operate with terror and impunity inside Pakistan. He continued by adding that the United States has provided these corrupt and brutal institutions with support and financial aid for decades, meaning that these violations of human rights are being perpetuated to an extent with American tax dollars. To make things worse, the Pakistani military and ISI are complicit in aiding terrorist groups within the country, which is counter to American interests in the region. These issues raised in the minds of the largely unknowing crowd, Mr. Volk introduced Mr. Laghari as a Sindhi human rights activist who has worked for over twenty years, in Sindh and America, on behalf of Sindhi rights. Mr. Laghari filled the room with his humble yet passionate presence as the spectators listened intently. He recounted that not only is Pakistan not a friend to Sindhis, it is definitely not a friend to the United States, despite the massive amounts of US aid the Pakistani
military and intelligence complex receives each year. This is because they support terrorists and because they violate the rights of innocent people. He significantly noted that when Osama bin Laden was found, he was found in Pakistan, and was likely being protected by the military and ISI. He also lamented that at its founding, Pakistan brought joy to very few people, and that this remains the fact today. This is a solemn fact that the former US ambassador to Pakistan, Dennis Kux recounts in his book, Disenchanted Allies, Mr. Laghari stated. In spite of these truths, however, Mr. Laghari remains hopeful for a simple, yet important reason: American universities. He said that he has faith that, because universities are one of the pillars of American society, when the word spreads to students and professors alike, real change can occur. He asked for the students in the crowd to help Sindh, and told them that they can make a difference. “Go to social media,” he said, “spread the word about Sindh,” and engage in the political process in America. The students had many questions for Mr. Laghari, and he was excited to answer them all. Some students even remained after the event was finished to discuss more with him. “Change is coming,” Mr. Laghari said, “and the students will be at the forefront of the movement.”
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What about the children? Kim Nguyen
Photo credit: AFP
What if I told you that there’s a place where children are sick, but can’t do anything about it? What if I told you that there’s a place where children are being married off against their will? What if I told you that there’s a place where children are dying, where childhoods are being stripped of one’s life? You would probably think that it’s old news, right? There are plenty of organizations out there already helping! But what if I told you: it’s not enough. Why not? Because there is one issue that is too prevalent, yet too underreported in order for much change to occur. After all, how can a problem be attacked if it’s so invisible? But where the change really lies is in the people. It’s in the mothers and fathers who are responsible for the well being of their children. It’s in the leaders to protect the laws that protect their children. It’s in
the communities who should be encouraging growth in every aspect for the good of all, not at any cost of their children. One of the many issues that children face in Sindh is forced child marriage. Child marriages are often seen in rural areas and are highly unreported, so no one really knows how many children are experiencing it. Its effects are numerous and create a cycle of injustice and poverty. The main reason for child marriages is poverty. And incidentally, one of child marriage’s effects is poverty. Families resort to child marriages for usually one of two reasons—to settle a feud between families or to afford to live. But it doesn’t solve the problem of poverty at all. When girls are married off to another family, their responsibility lies in the husband’s household. As a result, their education is interrupted and their economic potential is reduced. This directly affects any society and economy’s growth. As if that’s not already a disadvantage, girls are dying from giving birth at too young an age because their bodies are not yet fully developed. Their babies are dying, as well. There have been reports of children outwardly resisting the marriages, to attempting suicide because of the marriages. These girls, and occasionally boys, can’t even be heard. Their voices are being smothered! And why? Because they are small? Because they don’t have enough life experience to
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SINDHI AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Vol. 2 Issue 2 be considered wise? There is no reason that should ever be or will ever be valid enough to justify violating a child of a childhood, of a healthy and good life, whether indirectly or directly. There is no custom, no tradition that can ever justify selling a girl off for peace between two families or peace of mind. Enough is enough. But there’s a greater problem that stems from child marriages. It’s the messages that these children grow up with and will some day instill in their children. Sindhi children will grow to believe that people are not priceless and that they can indeed be bought at a price, used as a means to an end. It’s the attitude of the future. It’s the enforcement of the very practices that we are fighting against, today. It’s the circle of injustice. What needs to change is the mentality that girls are the property of others and vessels of reproduction. Children deserve a childhood, a real one that’s filled with joy, carelessness, and
play. They deserve to live in an environment that allows them to grow emotionally, mentally, and physically. Maybe it’s crazy to think that we can really change a people’s attitude towards children and women in Sindh. But isn’t it crazier that a baby can be sold into another family, married off to a forty three year old? There are laws against child marriages. But the problem’s continuity doesn’t necessarily lie in the law. It’s in those who enforce the law, or don’t enforce it. It’s in those who impose such injustices against children and do so behind their self-acclaimed authority. It’s in the parents who do not see their child as priceless. It’s in the communities who encourage detrimental practices to continue. It’s in the older men who see nothing wrong with marrying a child. It’s in the people.
Photo Credit: RedR/Usman Ghani
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SINDHI AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
SAPAC is an organization, which works to raise public awareness about issues relating to Sindh and the Sindhi people throughout the world. SAPAC emphasized the significant link between the Sindh region and U.S. national interests. For this purpose, SAPAC aims to advocate on behalf of the Sindhis and to positively influence American policies toward Sindh.
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The information and views set out in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of SAPAC
Contact Info: Phone: (202) 496-5300 E-mail: sapac.sindh@gmail.com Web Site: www.sindhipac.org
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