Pakistan seems to be on a slippery slope this year as the country continues to show dismal performance in international rankings. First it was the Corruption Perceptions Index, then the Global Gender Gap Index, and now Pakistan has managed to dropped down to the 90th ranking, out of 120, on the Inclusive Internet Index — second to last in the Asia region. The report not only highlights the lack of broadband and signal boosting infrastructure in the country, but it unveils the disproportionate use of what should now be considered as a basic facility for all.
The digital landscape in Pakistan is fractured across 3 main lines: 1) Geography — apart from security concerns, since infrastructure is mostly either absent or undeveloped in rural, impoverished and far-flung areas of Pakistan, most people there have little to no internet access; 2) Gender — owing to social norms and stigmas attached to the female gender, the “Gender Gap in Internet Access” between male and female is a staggering 65% as many families tend to restrict the use of internet; and 3) Class — while Pakistan has done relatively well in the affordability category of the study, ranked 67th, the cost of access is still considerably high because of which data availability between social classes may vary.
Let us not mistake the internet as a mere platform for entertainment. In an age where technology is at the forefront, the internet becomes increasingly important – and all the more dangerous too.
It is used to rapidly disseminate information, for dissent, as a professional tool, and for academic purposes. The raging pandemic has further amplified our dependence on it. A major factor why major investors are willing to invest in India is because they have developed a Silicon Valley of their own.
On the other hand, Pakistan has not managed to pull itself out of the past. In order for the country to progress, develop and compete in the international arena, the authorities need to seriously consider broadening the technological landscape of the country.
Bonded labour
Certain circles maintain that in Punjab the law allows labourers, especially those working at brick kilns, to obtain up to Rs50,000 from the owners in loans, even though the Supreme Court has prohibited this practice. It emerged during the hearing of a case, at the Islamabad High Court, relating to the abolition of bonded labour at brick kilns in the province.
When the counsel for brick kiln proprietors mentioned ‘the legal cover’ given to the practice, the chief justice expressed astonishment at the existence of any such law as it violates the orders of the Supreme Court.
The IHC ordered the Islamabad administration to end the abominable practice without any further delay, as it works as a debt trap for poor labourers; seldom are they able to pay off the loaned amount.
As a result, not only these unlettered and poor workers but their families become bonded labourers, and they have to work without wages for years.
Brick kiln owners claim that they do a service by extending loans to labourers in times of need, saying if they stopped ‘helping’ workers, there would be no incentives for labourers to work at their establishments. This argument is fallacious as is evident from the fact that bonded labourers live a miserable life.
The government set up a commission in February to examine the issue and recommend ways and means for the emancipation of bonded labour. The commission in its exhaustive report has rightly described bonded labour as a form of slavery. There are many laws in Pakistan to tackle the issue of bonded labour. Besides, the country signed the relevant ILO conventions way back in the 1960s. Unfortunately, these laws are rarely implemented.
Education can significantly contribute to the elimination of bonded labour. The present instance shows how the orders of even the highest court of the land are ignored. This is happening even though the PM has regularly been stressing the importance of the rule of law.
Quetta hotel attack
Terrorists struck at the heart of Quetta, blowing up a car bomb in the parking lot of luxurious Serena Hotel. At least five people were killed and 12 injured in the blast which was powerful enough to knock out the windows of the nearby Balochistan Assembly and High Court. The entire incident reeks of failure. The police and other security forces failed to stop the car despite the abundance of checkpoints in the highsecurity area around the hotel.
Then the hotel, by far the most high-profile non-governmental building in the city, let the car pass through its own security gates and get inside the parking lot. Fortunately, the bombing itself was also a failure to the extent that the perceived target was not hit.
Unfortunately, that is little consolation for the victims and their loved ones. Lessons have clearly not been learned from the attacks on the Gwadar Pearl Continental just two years ago, or even more similarly, the Islamabad Marriott Bombing in 2008.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility. If true, it represents a major escalation from a group that supposedly has its back against a wall.
Meanwhile, the timing of the attack is a reminder that this is not a conventional opponent. Ramazan is generally honoured as a ceasefire season by most warring parties in the Muslim world.
But then, we can safely assume that a group that would murder hundreds of children has little regard for honour. Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove rubbished the claims of apologists that outside forces are responsible for terrorism, bluntly saying that “Our own people are involved in these terrorist attacks.”
The intended target was the Chinese ambassador, according to several sources, including Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid. It is only a stroke of luck that he was not on the premises at the time of the attack. The assumption that the ambassador was the target also gives further credence to the claim that the attack was homegrown.
Chinese and Chinese-backed infrastructure projects, as well as the Chinese Consulate in Karachi, have regularly been targetted by the TTP and other terrorist groups. Targeting the ambassador is a natural progression. Holding them at bay is clearly not working. The TTP needs to be eliminated, or these attacks will keep coming
