Author: Maxter ʚïɞ

This author has written 2722 articles

SUMMARY of the Article “Refugee Problem,” Dawn, August 30th, 2024

The Pakistani authorities are preparing for the second phase of their efforts to repatriate Afghan refugees, with around half a million already sent back since November of the previous year. The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, urged the UN and the international community to assist in rehabilitating those displaced. The minister also highlighted concerns over the Afghan regime’s failure to prevent the TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) from using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, indicating that the repatriation drive may be more about responding to Kabul’s policies than purely addressing illegal immigration. The article notes a rise in xenophobia in Pakistan, not only against Afghans but also against indigenous ethnic communities, fueled by narratives questioning their loyalties. Unfortunately, instead of countering these dangerous trends, policymakers seem to endorse them, particularly regarding Afghan refugees. While Pakistan is dealing with economic constraints and security challenges, and it is indeed challenging for the country to continue supporting nearly two million Afghan refugees, the article argues that the international community, especially nations involved in the Afghan war, should share this burden. These countries should expedite the relocation of refugees they promised to take in. Simultaneously, Pakistan should approach the situation with greater patience and empathy. Many Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for years and know little about their homeland. Hastily deporting them would be culturally » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “Education Crisis,” Dawn, August 25th, 2024

The article discusses a recent report by the Planning Commission, which highlights the severe structural inadequacies in Pakistan’s education sector, raising significant concerns about the country’s readiness for the future. The District Education Performance Index report categorizes the education system as ‘low performance,’ primarily due to inadequate public financing and poor-quality teaching, which has resulted in persistently low student learning outcomes. Although the report notes that Pakistan performs slightly better in providing educational infrastructure, access, inclusivity, and equity in access to technology, it emphasizes that there is an urgent need for improvements in these areas to reach acceptable standards. Governance and management of educational institutions are also poor, mainly due to teacher shortages and high bureaucratic turnover. The report reveals stark disparities among provinces, with Balochistan and Sindh performing the worst, while Islamabad and Punjab perform better. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) shows commendable progress, but interprovincial disparities overshadow its achievements. The article underscores the importance of improving the education system to build economic resilience and prepare the future workforce for modern challenges. It warns that without a well-educated and trained workforce, Pakistan’s economy will struggle, particularly given its large population of school-going age. The article calls for prioritizing public financing for education at both federal and provincial levels and commends the Planning Commission for its structured approach to addressing this crisis. It expresses hope that the identified areas » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “Child Rights Crisis,” by Jamil Ahmad, Dawn, August 24th, 2024

The article “Child Rights Crisis” by Jamil Ahmad emphasizes the profound impact of the climate crisis on children, particularly in the world’s poorest regions, where the effects are most severe. As the planet endures its hottest summer, the escalating climate crisis is infringing on children’s basic human rights and diminishing their chances for a decent future. Children are disproportionately affected by extreme weather events, which jeopardize their health and overall well-being. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that children born in 2020 will face a significant increase in extreme weather events as the planet warms, a burden not shared equally with older generations. In response, children globally are mobilizing to demand climate justice, seeking to influence policies that will secure a sustainable future. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has recognized the climate crisis as a form of structural violence against children, urging states to collaborate on mitigating its effects. The situation is particularly dire in middle- and low-income countries, where children face compounded risks from food and water scarcity, health threats, and educational disruptions due to climate-related events like heatwaves, floods, and wildfires. In regions like South Asia, children are already suffering from severe water scarcity and air pollution, leading to physical and mental » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “Babies Galore,” Zubeida Mustafa, Dawn, August 23rd, 2024

The article explores the deeply ingrained societal norms in Pakistan that drive couples to have children, particularly sons, as soon as possible after marriage, often due to social pressures and the desire to secure marital status. This cultural backdrop presents significant challenges to family planning initiatives, which are often seen as immoral or unnecessary in the context of traditional values. The article highlights Pakistan’s alarming population growth rate, which stands at 2.5% over the past 25 years, with a total fertility rate (TFR) of 3.6, compared to the global average of 2.2. Despite the pressing need for effective family planning, the existing programs in Pakistan are severely underperforming. The report by Research and Development Solutions, referenced in the article, identifies supply-side issues, such as the underutilization of clinics and contraceptive outlets, and the overburdening of Lady Health Workers with non-family planning duties, which limits their effectiveness. The article also points to the centralized procurement of contraceptives as a significant barrier, leading to periodic shortages. However, there is hope through the application of technology-driven strategies, as demonstrated by Dr. Ayesha Khan’s project, which significantly increased the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) in urban slums. Despite these advances, the article stresses that true success in family planning requires a cultural shift towards recognizing the importance of smaller families, women’s empowerment, and a holistic approach to human development » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “Women in leadership,” Hadia Majid, Dawn, August 23rd, 2024

The article addresses the significant underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in Pakistan, where only 5.7% of managerial roles are held by women. Despite a common belief that this is due to a lack of qualified women, the reality is more complex, involving both supply-side issues and deeper societal factors. Women in Pakistan, even those with higher education, often opt out of high-pressure jobs due to caregiving responsibilities, societal expectations, and gender wage gaps. These factors, compounded by the “motherhood penalty,” result in fewer women ascending to leadership roles. The article also highlights how women, on average, earn less than men even with similar qualifications and experience. This wage gap is exacerbated by women’s limited access to professional networks and mentoring opportunities due to societal segregation and discrimination. The article discusses the systemic nature of gender discrimination in the labor market, where women are often confined to lower-paying, female-dominated professions, such as teaching and nursing, and even within these fields, men tend to occupy higher-paying, senior positions. The lack of women in leadership not only perpetuates gender inequality but also deprives organizations and society of the unique leadership styles and priorities that women bring. Women leaders tend to adopt a transformational leadership style, » Read More…