Meer Ishaq

Understanding the social existence

Fighting Poverty with Cash



By Haroon Shahwani

Published in Daily Balochistan Express, Quetta

Do you want to help people get out of poverty? Here is the solution, give them money, and let them spend it the way they want to. No, this will not create dependency, as conventional wisdom may suggest, instead ground observations and empirical data prove direct monetary help, the cash transfers, as the most promising poverty alleviation intervention so far. Cash transfers are simple, direct and low-cost with immediate effects on the lives of the poor.

Poverty in its simplest manifestation is the deprivation of basic needs such as healthy food, clean water, proper shelter and clothing. The minimum means required to fulfill such basic needs set the poverty line. Internationally this line is set by the World Bank at $1.90 per day. The new International Poverty Line (IPL) was an upgrade of the old estimate of $1 a day. The new poverty line is agreed by economists as more realistic and relevant to price levels in developing countries. The official data in Pakistan, however still use the outdated measure of $1 a day which results in deliberate exclusion of half of the poor population.

As per the new IPL of $1.90 per person a day, an average household of six to seven members having a monthly income of less than Rs.40,000 is living in absolute poverty. The Household Integrated Economic Survey 2015-16 shows that the income of an average household in Pakistan is below the poverty line. As per the survey report average monthly household income at country level is around Rs.35,000. Balochistan on the other hand is the poorest province with two third of its population living in absolute poverty. The provincial average monthly household income is estimated to be Rs.30,000, while in rural areas it stands as low as Rs.25,000.



Apart from these figures, ground observations also suggest the average income of a typical household in Pakistan to be far below the amount required to fulfill the basic needs. In such a situation, a help through cash transfer can even the odds in the fight against poverty.

The cash transfers have emerged over the past decade as an effective poverty alleviation intervention to challenge and transform the traditional anti-poverty regime. Traditionally poverty alleviation programs have been focused on a number of limited strategies like delivering food and other goods, providing training, building structure, and giving financial assistance. Cash transfers with their cost-effectiveness and direct impact now serve as compression tools for such strategies devised against poverty.

Cash transfer measure is a viable option both through institutionalized means, and through help in person. Many governments worldwide already have a variety of cash transfer programs in operation. However, the official programs are not just hampered by institutional and resource constraints, but are also detracted by corruption, and the notorious welfare bureaucracy.

The resurgence of cash transfers is owed to the non-profit sector, particularly the US-based non-profit entity, GiveDirectly. Being the major vehicle of poverty reduction the non-profit entities don't have to deal with many of the key obstacles faced by the public sector. Various non-profit projects and the ensuing empirical data have proved cash transfers as the new silver bullet against poverty.


The findings of various studies have shifted the approach towards cash transfers, breaking social stigmas and conventional wisdom regarding help for the poor and needy. It was learned that instead of blowing up money on vices, poor families spend on food, health, housing and pay for loans. According to an MIT study on cash transfer programs, published in August this year, the poor do not stop working when they receive money. Another joint study by economists at the World Bank and Stanford University found that the recipients of cash transfer spend less on alcohol and tobacco and more on food, health, and business.

Studies show a considerable increase in consumption, assets, investment and revenue of the recipients of cash transfers. According to a working paper on the GiveDirectly projects, the earnings of the poor families increased by 34% over a year after receiving the money. Due to cost-effectiveness and transparency cash transfers are also a better way to help people in humanitarian crises as compared with food aid. It has been learned that in many cases affectees tend to resale their food aid in order to fulfil other more urgent needs.

Besides all positive data about the effectiveness of cash transfers, there are a number of reasons why it should be adopted as a standard mean to help the poor. Unlike the traditional charity approach of helping the poor in-kind, cash transfers avoid the problem of doing things which don't fit the real needs of the poor. Instead of food aid, public works and other forms of assistance, poor individuals and families prefer to receive cash as it gives them the freedom to spend money on the things they need the most.

The immediate utility of cash in constructing permanent shelters, having proper meals a day, and paying health costs gives the poor a sense of improvement in their quality of life. This gives the beneficiaries the feeling of being able to meet the basic needs of their families. The positive impacts are not just limited to greater economic freedom, but also enhance psychological well-being, and improve the condition of woman empowerment in the target population.

The freedom from poverty is in the hands of the poor themselves. The data over the years show that they can make it happen if were facilitated well, and given the opportunity to bring a change in their lives. Although, poverty is not just about not having money. The process of breaking the cycle of poverty may also need efforts to boost aspiration of the poor, give them hope for change, and information about the market. But all these lie ahead of the one basic problem, the ‘I do not have money’ problem. Not having money is the worst problem one can have in today's world, and also the cause of many other problems.
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Balochistan: In Pursuit of Wellbeing


In 1980, medical science put an end to one of the deadliest infectious diseases in human history. The ugly Smallpox, perhaps the most horrific looking disease, was declared completely eradicated by the World Health Organization. That marked the beginning of the era of endless possibilities against the challenges to human wellbeing.
Since then, millions of deaths have been averted through use of vaccines, access to clean water and sanitation has relatively improved while the fight against major infectious diseases has reached a decisive stage. Today we have a global vision of “healthy lives and wellbeing for all.” Will our society ever be able to realize this vision? The fight is hard, but success is promising.
The provision of modern public health services in subcontinent dates back to the health survey of the Bhore Committee, carried out in 1943. The committee outlined the fundamentals of health services, the core principles on which we have our public health system. They believed that the loss of human lives and efficiency is avoidable through integrated preventive and curative services, development of primary healthcare, and education of social medicine.
Such health services however, could not be made fully functional in Balochistan until 1971. For majority of Balochistan there had been no public health services at all until then. After decades, the province is still struggling with provision of quality healthcare. However, given the relatively shorter operational history and bigger challenges, there has been some progress that gives us hope for the achievement of healthcare goals.
Contrary to national healthcare system, in Balochistan the share of private sector in curative services is minimal. Government remains the major provider of curative and preventive services not just in most of rural areas but also to majority of urban population. Therefore, the improvement in health conditions depends directly on the performance and efficiency of provincial health department. The responsibilities and role of the department has also increased after the 2011 devolution of federal subjects, including health to provinces.
Currently the provincial health department is operating a vast infrastructure of health facilities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels which operate through referral system. The system has undergone various reforms over the time, mainly in primary healthcare. Following the 2001 devolution, basic health management was placed under district government. In a later move the vast network of Basic Health Units was handed over to People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative, improving the access to basic health services through public-private partnership. The provincial government has also announced recently to up gradate over 130 BHUs and RHUs to plus level with additional staff and equipment.
The operational and fiscal scope of public health sector has increased much in last five years. The share of health sector in provincial budget has increased 20% from 15.2 billion rupees in 2013-14 to 18.3 billion rupees in current fiscal year. Besides the growing share in budget there has also been progress in private-public partnership, and cooperation of the department with international aid agencies.
Despite the morbidity that is prevalent in government offices, the health department has been able to show up with some major developments. Recently Balochistan has witnessed its first-ever renal surgery. The surgery was carried out at the newly upgraded Nephro-Urology institute in Quetta. The well-equipped institute is providing health services to patients with renal problems in their home province. Patients from all over Balochistan previously had to travel to Karachi and Lahore for surgery and dialysis services. The modernized health facility is functioning at an exceptional level of efficiency which is rare in Balochistan.
The government has also acted as per recommendations of judicial commission constituted after August 8 civil hospital carnage. Following the observations and directives of the commission the trauma and emergency center at the civil hospital has been declared autonomous body.
The prime health facility in the province has also been beefed up with much-needed CT and MRI scanners. Some strict checks and balances have also been put in place to improve the performance of staff. As per health department sources, in a recent move action has been taken against 118 doctors and other staff over absenteeism.
It was also for the first time that many parts of Balochistan got access to ambulance services in their area. As per government claims, each district now have ambulances at their disposal. The fleet also includes ten ambulances gifted by Emir of Qatar last year which were distributed in Washuk and Kharan districts.
Besides this, a number of ambulances have also been distributed in various districts by MNCH, the Mother, New Born and Child Health Programme. The service means much for the rural Balochistan which is mostly ignored by the major ambulance services such as Edhi and Chhipa.
The ambulances provided by MNCH are specialized for the care of expecting mothers and can help reducing maternal and child mortality rate. Balochistan has the highest ratio of maternal and child mortality rate as compared with other parts of the country. As per estimates nearly 800/100,000 mothers die giving birth, while around 160/1000 children die during birth in Balochistan. Similar statistics are also witnessed in other health indicators.
For instance, the ratio of infectious diseases in Balochistan is 53 percent of disease burden, which is around 40 percent on country level. The province is also facing acute food insecurity; out of country’s 20 highly food insecure districts 10 are in Balochistan. Over 60% of province’s population is exposed to moderate to high food insecurity.
The health targets set by the United Nation in its Sustainable Development Goals require a strengthened public health system. The current status of public health services in Balochistan is not exemplary, but it can help improving the situation. The recent developments need to trickle down to marginal areas, particularly the rural areas and urban slums.
According to 2017 census, Balochistan’s population is growing at a rate of 3.37% which is quite high compared with the national average of 2.4%. The urban share was recorded to be 27.5% whereas 72.5% of population lives in rural areas which are less likely to get access to quality healthcare.
To attain ‘healthy lives and wellbeing for all’ needs sustainable development in entire social and economic structure. According to UN reports, the likelihood of infant mortality is almost twice in poor families as those of wealthier families. Also the proportion of mothers that do not survive childbirth is 14 times higher in underdeveloped regions.
Along with economic conditions, education also plays a key role in improving health and wellbeing. Data show that children of educated mothers are more likely to survive as compared with children of illiterate mothers.
The global community has shown its commitment towards human development, particularly for health and wellbeing. Any society willing to fully utilize its potentials can find many helping hands to overcome the pressing healthcare challenges. It is high time that we pick on our shortcomings and capitalize our gains to attain a healthy society.
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Economic woes from Dakota to Balochistan




By Haroon Shahwani
Published in Daily Balochistan Express 

Mothers and children trapped in poverty, rusted out factories, crime, gangs and drugs; this sorry picture of a poverty ridden country was drawn by Donald Trump to lament the miseries faced by the American people. Besides being the dominant military power, the United States is world’s largest economy. It is worth $18.5 trillion which makes up about 24.5% of global GDP. Out of the world’s 1,810 billionaires most are from the US, 540 to be exact. Despite these facts, a large part of its population is not just alienated from the giant economy but also endures the pitfalls of its expansion.

Like colonial Britain, today’s America is blamed for many of the world's problems, particularly for the crippled economies of underdeveloped regions. The US-led global economy is however as exploitative at home as it is observed anywhere else. The people of America too face some of the harsh economic realities which had shaped the bitter life of the underdeveloped nations for centuries. Trump’s era is going to highlight and perhaps to intensify many of such realities at home and abroad. The victims of American supremacy will find many brethren and sistren at the downside of the global economic expansion.

On his fourth day in office Trump gave the go ahead to two controversial projects, the Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines. The former is a proposed 1,897 km oil pipeline between Canada and the US while the letter is an 1,886 km long pipeline in the US which passes through its four different states. Obama administration had denied approval to the former while construction of latter was blocked at Lake Oahe after protests by indigenous people and rights activists.

Like any other mega economic initiative both the Keystone XL and the Dakota Access have their own proponents and opponents. For some the pipelines mean more jobs with economic growth and boost in oil and related industries. But for many others the pipelines are exploitation of the nature and its resources, and pose a threat to people’s rights. All along the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines there is a long tale of greedy corporate interests achieved over the cost of indigenous people’s rights and environmental degradation.

Native Americans, or Indian tribes are the indigenous people of the region including the US and Canada. Today’s states of America have been formed over the land occupied from these tribes over the course of centuries. The American history is bloodstained with events like the “Trail of Tears” where in a single incident over 16,000 natives were forcefully relocated, nearly half of them died along the way. The routes of Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines pass through lands inhabited by indigenous people. The pipelines being built without consent of these people have grown fears of a fresh wave of encroachment over their lands and lives.


Standing Rock Sioux tribe is leading the resistance camp against Dakota Access Pipeline along with over 200 other tribes. They are joined by a large number of environmentalists and human rights activists from across the region. According to Standing Rock movement the pipeline construction threatens entire ecosystems as the tribes fear to lose their food and water sources. The Missouri river region along the pipeline route is also home to some rare animal and plant species which are at stake. Despite the fact that the native people are first to bear the human cost of such constructions they are hardly taken onboard by the companies throughout the planning and execution process.

The Keystone XL project is a proposed expansion of an existing pipeline system that links Canadian Oil Sands to the US refineries. The pipeline if constructed would bisect the South Dakota state and cut through not only the tribal land but also their lives. The Keystone XL passes through the Ogallala Aquifer triggering fears of possible contamination of the water source. The Aquifer is a matter of life and death, not only for the tribes but also for the whole population living by it. The water source is one of world's largest aquifers. It provides 30% of water for US irrigation but currently is at risk partly due to pollution. It supplies over 80% drinking water of the surrounding area while lives of some tribes entirely depend on the aquifer. The Missouri river along Dakota Access route also poses similar threats of contamination and puts lives of over 17 million people at risk.

There has been resistance by the native tribes for their land and resources, and also by environmentalists over the climate change impacts of giant oil pipelines. For Dakota Access pipeline the native people were successful to move the authorities to consider their rights. Ex-President Obama while blocking the pipeline construction admitted that there is a way to accommodate rights of Native Americans. There would be indeed several possible ways if the rights of native people had higher priority than the economic boons and corporate interests. But again, America per se is no exception when it comes to the bitter realities of corporate interests which are largely to be blamed for violations of people’s rights globally.

The concerns of native people, fears of water contamination and environmental degradation are publicly brushed off citing the job prospects and economic growth of such giant projects. They do create jobs as local economy reaps some of the benefits but the real money goes to the big oil companies that hold undue influence on the policy makers. The Energy Transfer Partners, the parent company of Dakota Access pipeline has Donald Trump himself among its beneficiaries. On the other hand, the CEO of the company was among Trump’s donors who donated $100,000 to help him win presidential election.

This corporate hegemony enjoys complete impunity from the heart of the superpower America to the remotest and most impoverished regions of the world. From Dakota to Balochistan, the long tale of corporate exploitation and violation of people’s rights has been repeated over and over again. The failure to acknowledge the human and environmental costs of economic initiatives aligns the corporates against the people. For the influential proponents of the mega economic projects it is all about money and increasing wealth. But for the native people the loss of their lands is irreparable as they are robbed off not just their homes and livelihood but also their past and left helpless to face an uncertain future.
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CPEC: When the game changes for Balochistan

CPEC: When the game changes for Balochistan

Published in the Daily Balochistan Express on October 16, 2016.
By 

On April 20, 2015 while signing the giant China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed to have on his vision ‘peace and prosperity.’ The vision was quite clear and apparently progressive, but today after one and a half year of signing the deal, for many the peace and prosperity prospects of CPEC remain contested.

The suspicions and concerns keep growing as the repeated attempts to address the reservations go unfruitful. There is a visible sense of deception or some political tricks. This paradox of unaddressed concerns and unaccepted explanations are transforming into a sense of insecurity. People have already started getting certificates of treason for heaving a critical eye on the game-changing corridor.
The debate on the giant economic corridor seems quite polarized these days. There are some for whom anything branded with CPEC is sacred. While on the opposite side are those who have their eyebrows lifted high since the signing of the multibillion-dollar project. In the heart of this polarization, there is a single question; who will benefit the most from CPEC? You may answer at your peril; your answer will simply tag you either as anti-CPEC or pro-CPEC.
We don’t get into this argument and just focus on a single point out of this debate, if there are any benefits for the people of Balochistan, if really yes, then what? The first response we get on this question is; CPEC and Gwadar are inseparable therefore anything good out of the corridor is good for Balochistan. Secondly, the benefits will land in various Specialized Economic Zones where employment opportunities will be created.
Gwadar is the gateway of CPEC and home to the port and thus an important spot on Balochistan’s map. But on the very same map there are some other spots too which have been home to the game-changers of their times. Some 1,200 Km up in the northeast we find Sui. About six decades ago with the development of gas pipeline Sui became the game-changer for the newly born state. That bright spot of Sui lightened up the whole country but what left behind for the people of Balochistan, was a prolonged darkness. Therefore, history suggests, no euphoria for your home being at the center of any game-changer-like thing.
The regional connectivity and clusters of economic activities in various cities will certainly have profound impacts on the socio economic conditions. The region will open up to numerous employment opportunities. And as said by the Chinese ambassador a year back in Quetta, the corridor will “bring an end to unemployment” in Balochistan. Mr. Sun Weidong was there addressing a gathering of tribal elites, investors and people from various parts of life to brighten up their CPEC dreams.
Unemployment is indeed a key issue in Balochistan and an end to it will be a miracle for the people. The issue must be addressed for any initiative to result in socio-economic transformation. But is the issue ‘too big to be solved’ that we look for miracles of a multibillion-dollar project?
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics there have been around 100,000 people unemployed in Balochistan in 2012-13. The figure was 70,000 in 2010-11 and 60,000 in 2009-10, which shows a striking growth in the number of jobless people. Though these statistics are rough but considering the growth trends and some ground observations we can judge the current scenario. In April last year, as many as 100,000 candidates were reported to have applied to fill just 4,200 small-scale government jobs. This scenario can be witnessed quite frequently nowadays where there are hundreds of applicants for a single vacant position. This pressure in the job market is much higher than what PBS estimates predict.
Now let’s look into the employment opportunities that are assumed to arise along the CPEC.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal was recently quoted saying that five to seven Special Economic Zones will be established across the country under CPEC. He said that each province will get at least one of these economic zones. This is contrary to the earlier claims of 27 such zones across the country and seven for Balochistan alone. Gwadar was supposed to have first of these economic zones fully functional by the end of 2017.
According to Chairman Gwadar Port Authority Dostain Jamaldini the port city alone will be able to create about 40,000 jobs. While in a briefing to National Assembly’s Standing Committee in July this year, it was shared that over one million CPEC-related jobs will be created by 2030.
Apart from Gwadar the other potential zones for CPEC benefits include Turbat, Khuzdar, Dera Murad Jamali, Lasbela, Winder and Bostan. These areas have been pinned down to get special attention in the CPEC maneuvers. Even if not turned into Special Economic Zones, the potential economic activities along CPEC will eventually turn these areas into employment hubs. And there will be thousands if not millions of new jobs created.
Ironically, if not all of these areas, Lasbela and Winder (a town in Lasbela district) have been economic centers for long. Lasbela is home to Pakistan’s biggest oil refinery, 1292 MW power station, several cement plants and marble factories. One of world largest ship breaking yard is also located in Gadani town in Lasbela. These alone have generated enough employment opportunities to accommodate the whole jobless population of Balochistan. But even after decades the unemployment and backwardness still haunt the local population.
So, what will the CPEC is going to add up? One may answer; it will connect backward areas of Balochistan up to Kashgar in China. This connectivity is by no means one way; it will eventually open up the opportunities in Balochistan to the bigger unemployment pressure, mostly from Punjab. According to the aforementioned PBS data, during 2012-13 when there were 0.1 million jobless people in Balochistan, the figure was 2.28 million in Punjab. By these data however, it doesn’t seem to be an issue to accommodate this 0.1 million while employing the bigger unemployed population. But there are enough historical references which suggest that this is not going to happen. The local population being so small to fight back has historically been overrun by the merciless brotherhood. Back in 2002 when the construction at Gwadar port was newly started the influx of workers from outside Balochistan and discrimination with locals was eye-opening. The port from its beginning failed to give any hope to the residents of Gwadar, let alone the people from other parts of Balochistan.
Finally let’s forget about all this argument, objections and reservations, just pick the very first and comprehensive logic; CPEC and Gwadar, so as Balochistan, are inseparable, therefore anything good out of CPEC would also be good for the locals. For an instant, if we start believing this narrative, then the question is, why do we need a $46 billion game-changer to solve the unemployment issue of Balochistan?
A population with no clean water to drink, no basic healthcare and education, and frustratingly unsuccessful job hunt, needs some small initiatives before embracing any game-changer. The issues are of basic nature and could have been solved with available resources, not through multibillion dollar game-changers. When public demands of clean water, healthcare and education are responded with promises of a $46 billion corridor they find it hard to swallow.
In the pursuit of their well-being the people of Balochistan have got so many mega projects and game-changers. There would have been no reason to oppose such mega projects if they were combined with some micro level initiatives. There is a serious need for some ground making efforts before any giant project starts bearing its unseen fruits. Without making proper ground any mega initiative, sincere or exploitive, is bound to meet with apprehensions and concerns. Therefore, the focus needs to be shifted towards ground making efforts instead of making hollow promises, and silencing the opposition voices.
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Responsible citizens of a security state



Its a common practices of our life that we take certain responsibilities and play a role accordingly. But this responsibility and the role played with it, is not always allowed with free choice. Sometimes bondage and subjugation is also enforced on us in the name of responsibility. And this is what happens with the citizens of a security state.   

There are so many thing from our household to the society which comes under the enforced responsibilities. Like the unjust order found in mostly household affairs sets many limits which are enforced in the name of responsibility to your family. This is enforced because in the presence of free choice a person would never want to obey these. Similar things exists as we march into the society where we see many senseless prohibitions and also things to do which we may not be willing to do.

As in the case of anything enforced we either resist to restore our free choice or we became ready to accept things. Resistance is a possible thing with its many faces but mostly things are so self-deceptive that we don’t find us subjugated but blessed indeed. And with a short narrative which says that “with freedom comes responsibilities” we are ready to put a long list of things in the name of responsibilities and then move to enforce these responsibilities on ourselves.

For our societies we have a complex structure which is called state. It is a well structures and matures institution with its certain tool and flow of power and actual decision making which is always making or amending this list of enforced responsibilities for us. And what matters the most is the mind behind this complex machinery which is the basic factor defining this list of so-called responsibilities. And we have seen it changing according to changes in its certain interests.

These enforced responsibilities don’t makes a sense in the first glimpse. But it will soon prove itself to you and you either come to accept it yourselves or you will just see it accepted by you.

Let it be the situation of war with a neighboring country, an internal disaster or any internal conflict, sooner you will start feeling the list of responsibilities which you are assume to accept without finding any other option.

Although this list is never absolute in itself but having a great degree of flexibility among the items it include. As the mind behind all these changes over the time, it brings consequent change in the implementing order. These changes are mostly so dramatic that we might find the whole list replaced with a new ones.
Living in a security state somehow seems to be a similar experience. You are in an emergency situation but you are failed to understand why you are in this situation. And then you are also informed about a stupid plane to coup that situation and again you failed to understand why are they going to coup it. And also you are given a list of responsibilities which are either accepted by you or which are enforced on you.

And the most interesting part of these all is that this list keeps changing and soon you will find yourself in another emergency situation with another coup plane and another list of you responsibilities.  
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