Pakistan's Innocence and Unconventional Challenges

 

   Today, Pakistan is facing number of unconventional security dilemmas. Global warming, climate change, natural catastrophes and water and food insecurities have been wrecking havoc in the country and the entire community is clueless in front of these challenges.

   The leadership and people are only whining in front of the world that they are innocent and victim of injustices. Their contributions in emissions of greenhouse gases are minimum but the repercussions of the  toxic are unbearable. While Indian belligerence towards water sharing is one of the major reasons of the growing water and food insecurity. 

   But, as a matter of fact, this victimhood mentality is an easy exit from taking the responsibilities. Technically, the state is equally blameable for these challenges. According to the capabilities, the residents are committing every wrong to aggravate the situation.

   From the perspective of climate change and global warming, the people are not ready to play their part in cutting emissions of greenhouse gases. For instance, in case of a family function, where emission of carbon can be cut by traveling in a single vehicle while attending a common ceremony, every family member is using his own motorcar to show off his status and wealth.

  A major chunk of energy still comes from thermal resources. And, the energy sector is still very keen to produce more energy from coal, one of the major sources of emissions of greenhouse gases. 

   Likewise, the forest cover in Pakistan is lowest in the region and has been continuously shrinking. It means carbon sinkers have been falling prey to the lust of the people.

   When it comes natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, heatwaves and other such events, the response of relevant authorities is very poor, nonchalant and outdated. National Disaster Management Authority is still working on reactive bases. District Disaster Management authorities are dysfunctional while the provincial authorities have not resources, equipments, expertise and plans to cope with the challenges.

   Despite early warnings of Meteorogical Department of Pakistan and the Climate Ministry about heavy floods of 2022, the relevant institutions failed to overcome the losses. Disasters were welcomed by encroachments and building infrastructure like Honeymoon Hotel in the channels of  rivers, streams and tributaries.

   Attitude of the populace is also very irresponsible and bizarre. They are not ready to listen scientific and data based recommendations. When the government warns people against any potential threat, people challenge such orders and make sure that they should be at the site to face monsters.

   Attempts of people to watch live scenes of Biporjoy Hurricane from the coast of Karachi at the risk of their lives and construction of heavy infrastructure on the major fault lines are the manifestations of this reality.

    In the same way, it is common believe in the country that water is a plenty full resource.  There is no need to use it in a careful way or store it by building dams and lakes.  Sewage lines are polluting the bodies of fresh water and a handsome amount of water is becoming part of underground water due to excessive seepages from oldage canals.  Everyone is anxious about Indian violations of Indus Water Treaty but no one is ready to fix these issues.

   The stakeholders are unaware of genuine concerns of the farmers.  Lack of access to big markets and absence of other facilities are pushing them to leave their land uncultivated. Cultivation of water intensive crops coupled with water scarcity and increasing salinity due to seepages are reducing the overall yield. Because of feudalism, a common farmer has nothing to gain. Despite all these addressable local issues, for the policymakers,  growing food insecurity is mainly a consequence of global conflicts and climate change.

   In a nutshell, statistically, Pakistan may be considered as the victim of the injustices. But, morally, the story has an another view. Therefore, the whole nation has to take care of controlables for making the future better, instead of lamenting on uncontrollables and blaming others.