Loosening polio’s grip
AS the nation observes World Polio Day, we are reminded of the persistent threat of this debilitating disease. Pakistan faces a worrying rise in environmental samples testing positive for the poliovirus. This month alone, we have detected 11 new instances in seven cities: Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Bannu, Pishin and Chaman. The total count of positive environmental samples for the year now stands at 54, while confirmed polio cases number four. A report reveals alarming genetic links between some of these samples and previous detections. For instance, a sample collected in Karachi’s Keamari area in early October shares genetic similarities with one found in Karachi East’s Machhar Colony in August. These connections demonstrate the persistence and adaptability of the poliovirus whose presence in sewage water indicates reduced immunity in the population, leaving our children vulnerable.
Pakistan needs a decisive action plan. We must prioritise community engagement. Local leaders, influencers, and religious scholars can play a pivotal role in dispelling myths and building trust within communities. A clear and culturally sensitive risk communication strategy can address misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Recognising that a one-size-fits-all strategy may not work across Pakistan’s diverse regions, we must customise our efforts to address each area’s unique challenges. To bolster our response, strengthening surveillance systems is paramount. This includes investments in technology, workforce training and improved data sharing to facilitate the timely detection of cases and environmental samples. Cross-border collaboration, particularly with Afghanistan, must be intensified. Ensuring vaccine accessibility in remote areas and fortifying healthcare infrastructure are key to reaching every child with immunisation. Resolving security challenges in affected areas is vital. Finally, we must establish a well-defined emergency response plan to rapidly address outbreaks. On World Polio Day, let us acknowledge the persistence of this scourge and commit to re-evaluating our approach. Our children deserve nothing less than a polio-free future, and it is within our reach to make this a reality.
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2023
PIA’s collapse
IT is difficult to recall the last time when passengers flying PIA experienced a hassle-free, comfortable journey, free from last-minute flight cancellations, delays or a cranky cabin crew. But Sunday’s events stood out: the national flag carrier cancelled almost 80 international and local flights because it did not have the fuel to fly its shrunken fleet. Apparently, PSO, PIA’s fuel supplier, cut off supplies over mounting unpaid dues. With the airline suffering massive financial losses, PIA has been locked in a tense face-off with PSO, and its flight operations have had to endure increasing delays and cancellations for the past one week at least. PIA owes the oil supplier Rs26.7bn — including almost Rs25bn in previous arrears and Rs2bn in new unpaid dues against recent oil supplies — but has not been able to clear that amount in spite of commitments made over the last several months. A report suggests that the carrier had agreed to make advance payments to PSO on a daily basis for procuring fuel for its flight operations. The mechanism worked for a few days before PIA reportedly ran out of cash and PSO stopped fuelling its operations. PSO, which is also facing a financial crunch due to the non-payment of dues to the tune of Rs760bn by power companies, cannot be expected to bail out a collapsing airline when no other state entity is prepared to help it.
With the airline incurring monthly losses of almost Rs13bn, its accumulated liabilities have already reached Rs713bn, far exceeding its assets of Rs110bn. There is no life left in the airline. It is virtually dead as both a business and a brand, and it is clear that financial bailouts cannot resurrect it. Its flight operations are shrinking and the fleet has been reduced to 19 operational but aging aircrafts; it cannot fly to many international routes due to safety concerns; and is facing stiff competition on domestic routes from the new, more efficient private airlines that offer better services at cheaper prices. PIA’s new record of flight cancellations in one day underscores the urgency of winding up its operations to avoid further losses to taxpayers at a time of deep economic crisis. Plans to retain or retrench its employees, settle its liabilities and sell its assets can be finalised and executed later.
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2023
‘Null and void’
IT is a seminal judgement. On Monday, while hearing a set of petitions against the trial of civilians in military courts, a Supreme Court bench ruled that in the aftermath of the May 9 events, civilian trials in such courts were null and void.
Their lordships observed that two sections of the Army Act apparently justifying civilian trials in military courts were unconstitutional, and called for cases of civilians to be conducted in regular criminal courts.
The judgement clearly upholds civilian supremacy and should be seen as permanent endorsement of the constitutional order over non-democratic shortcuts.
In ignoring the recent pleas of some of the accused to speed up their military trials, it becomes apparent that their lordships were looking at the long-term consequences of allowing civilians to be tried by military courts.
The petitions against military trials were taken up by former CJP Umar Ata Bandial, but the case was put off ‘indefinitely’ before resuming Monday. There were also reports that the military trials of some among the 102 people taken into custody after the May 9 developments had begun, even though the apex court had said the cases could only be heard after it granted permission.
The last National Assembly, for all its talk of democracy, had endorsed military trials through a controversial resolution, that has, in effect, been rejected by the court in its decision to restore the civilian order.
The state can appeal the decision before the full court. Yet at the heart of the matter is not just the trials of 102 individuals by the military, but also the debate about what sort of governance structure should dominate Pakistan.
Should it be the constitutional order envisioned by the founders of the country, where every citizen is equal under the law, where due process is respected, and where all institutions act within their legal bounds? Or should Pakistan’s vision be one of an eternal security state, where justice, lawmaking, foreign policy, the economy, etc, are all militarised?
Thankfully, in the latest judgement, the apex court has demonstrated the vision of the founding fathers. As a start, the custody of the May 9 accused should be handed over to civilian authorities.
To demand the civilian trial of those involved in the May 9 events is not to condone their acts; it is to say that when civilians are accused of committing crimes, there exists a civilian justice system that should be well-equipped to decide on their guilt and punishment.
And if there are lacunae in the civilian justice system, these need to be addressed, not replaced with militarised justice. It is hoped that Monday’s judgement is applied for all times to come, and not just to the May 9 cases.
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2023