Beyond lip service
UN SECRETARY GENERAL António Guterres did not mince words at the recently held Climate Ambition Summit: “Humanity has opened the gates of hell.” Such a vivid portrayal resonates deeply with countries like Pakistan. Despite contributing under 1pc to global emissions, Pakistan ranks among countries most vulnerable to climate change. Last year’s unprecedented floods stand as a heart-wrenching testament to this reality, with a third of the country submerged, 1,700 people killed and over 8m displaced, besides more than $30bn in economic losses. Yet, global responses have been insufficient. In his address to the UNGA, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar spoke of how first the Covid pandemic, and then climate change, have had a hand in Pakistan’s triple food, fuel and finance challenge, and reminded the world of the $10bn in aid that was pledged to Pakistan in January. He urged countries to resist selectively providing funds on the basis of geopolitical considerations. His plea follows a briefing in March by UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric who had revealed that only 40pc of the pledges were fulfilled. Mr Kakar is also set to demand, at the upcoming COP28 in November, the realisation of the $100bn annual climate pledge and the establishment of a ‘loss and damage’ fund, further reflecting a plea for climate equity. His appreciation for the UN-sponsored SDG summit’s endeavours, notably the proposed annual $500bn SDG Stimulus, offers some hope for cooperative global progress.
With the imminent threat of global temperatures rising by 2.8°C, the world is quickly becoming an uninhabitable place. In Pakistan, amid the turmoil, lies buried an unrealised truth: women bear the brunt of the fallout from climate change. In our part of the world, where patriarchy is already a burden borne by them, climate change adds another layer of hardship. Women, as primary caregivers and agricultural workers, face the immediate impacts of shifting weather patterns in the region. Their roles, often bound by tradition, do not afford them the luxury of escape, making them the first victims. In Sindh — the hardest-hit province in last year’s floods after getting 471pc more rain than the 30-year average — of the 1.5m cotton-pickers, 70pc are women, most of whom are now without homes or livelihoods.
As world leaders gather to discuss the future, it is essential to remember that the crisis isn’t just about melting ice caps or the rising sea level. It is about human lives, particularly those of women in vulnerable areas, teetering on the edge. The globe’s collective conscience must move beyond mere acknowledgment. Words, like those of Mr Guterres, must translate into immediate action. It is not just about saving the planet; it is about saving its people. The most vulnerable among us can no longer be collateral in this global debacle.
Published in Dawn, September 24rd, 2023
Mirwaiz freed
T was an emotional return to Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid for Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. After over four years under house arrest, the Kashmiri cleric and pro-freedom political leader led Friday prayers at the iconic mosque in the held territory’s capital.
The Mirwaiz was greeted by hundreds of supporters, as Indian security forces kept a close eye on the gathering. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference chief had been under detention since August 2019, when the BJP-led government revoked held Kashmir’s autonomous status.
A large number of Kashmiri leaders and ordinary citizens have been hauled up by India’s security machinery since. During the sermon, the Mirwaiz pointed out that “thousands” of youths, journalists, activists and lawyers remain behind bars in occupied Kashmir, and called upon the Indian state to release them.
The APHC chief reiterated his call for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute, terming it a “human” issue, and advocating for the return of “our Pandit brothers”, referring to the Kashmir-based Hindu community.
What has prompted the Indian state to release the Mirwaiz? It is difficult to say. The release came about after the leader had petitioned the J&K high court against his house arrest. It is safe to assume that the release could not have been possible without the green light from New Delhi.
Perhaps this is a signal that the Modi government has realised that its heavy-handed tactics to crush the Kashmiri freedom movement are not working. India’s attitude towards the incarcerated Kashmiris in the days ahead will prove if this assumption is true, or if the Mirwaiz’s release was an anomaly.
While all Kashmiris incarcerated for demanding freedom must be freed, the authorities, in particular, must look into the cases of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik, who remains lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail. Mr Malik was convicted in a doubtful terrorism case, and Indian security agencies are seeking the death penalty for the Kashmiri leader.
These developments are largely being seen as attempts to silence the Kashmiri freedom movement by threatening prominent leaders with incarceration and death. But if a change of heart is indeed taking place in New Delhi, the peace process should be revived in earnest, bringing representatives of Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris to the table. A clearer picture in this regard should emerge after next year’s elections in India.
Published in Dawn, September 24rd, 2023
World Cup squad
THE stress was on continuity — trusting and backing players who had been with the team — as Pakistan’s squad for the World Cup was named on Friday. One change came due to Naseem Shah’s injury, depriving Pakistan of a chance to play their fearsome pace trident comprising the young fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf at the tournament in India. Hasan Ali, who last played a One-Day International for Pakistan in June 2022, has been drafted in place of Naseem with chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq crediting his ability to bowl with both the new and old ball as the reason for his inclusion. Hasan will have his work cut out for him as a replacement for Naseem, who not only took wickets but was also Pakistan’s most economical bowler at the recent Asia Cup. There are no major surprises otherwise, with Pakistan’s think tank opting to retain spin-bowling all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, despite their struggle to make an impact at the Asia Cup, where the challenge from Babar Azam’s charges ended at the Super Four stage. Inzamam, a member of the squad that won the ODI World Cup in 1992, said he hoped the duo would do well but didn’t specify how. Similar is the case of opener Fakhar Zaman, who will go to India, despite a poor performance at the Asia Cup.
For the World Cup campaign, Pakistan are hoping that things fall in place. It wasn’t like this, though, before the Asia Cup, where Pakistan went in as the world’s top-ranked ODI side. A thrashing at the hands of India and the narrow loss to Sri Lanka were the reality check the team needed. Pakistan have a history of going to tournaments with doubts hanging over their heads, only to overcome the odds and shine their way through. It is, therefore likely that they will overcome Naseem’s injury as well as form issues to do that again.
Published in Dawn, September 24rd, 2023