Custodial killings in Kashmir
Last week, four Indian Army soldiers were killed and three injured in an ambush on two military vehicles in Poonch district. One day later, eight civilians were picked up by the army for questioning. Three of them were found dead after, and five were admitted to the hospital. Since this comes in the wake of the Article 370 abrogation being upheld by the Supreme Court, there has been some criticism of the Army.
Dawn (December 29) says, “Sadly, justice has eluded the people of Kashmir since partition… the Indian state uses ‘counterterrorism’ as a convenient alibi to deny the Kashmiri people their rights, and inflict odious violence upon them.” Urging the global community to speak up, the editorial asks, “How many more Kashmiris will have to be tortured and killed for the international community to realise that India must be held to account for its cruel policies in the held territory?”
The Nation (December 25) comments on the response of the Indian government: “Compensation for the deceased and legal proceedings, is a step in the right direction. However, given the complex history of human rights abuses in Kashmir, a comprehensive and impartial investigation is necessary to rebuild trust and prevent future atrocities.”
Jinnah Day and Christmas
In Pakistan, December 25 is celebrated as Christmas and Jinnah Day (Quaid-e-Azam Day). It is a day to remember the founder and first governor-general of Pakistan. The media has taken this occasion to remind readers of the values Muhammad Ali Jinnah stood by, and to work towards making Pakistan the nation that he envisioned.
News International (December 25) brings together the spirit of Christmas and Jinnah Day saying, “These two crucial events are intertwined in so many ways, reminding us of the desperate need for tolerance and acceptance of all beliefs in a nation that stands divided along lines of religion, sect, and ethnicity.” The editorial comments on the state of minorities in the country acknowledging how “Christians have been relegated to the lowest economic roles in society and denied opportunities for educational, economic, and social growth”.
Daily Times (December 25) agrees and reiterates Jinnah’s vision of “a country that would be built on the principles of tolerance and equality”. It says, “The growing intolerance towards whosoever dares to say or even think out loud something different from the general tide goes against the very essence of Jinnah’s vision for a country where all citizens are treated with equal rights and dignity.” Worrying rise in domestic violenceAccording to a recent report by the Asian Development Bank, there has been a significant increase in domestic violence against women and children due to the Covid pandemic. In terms of numbers, “Punjab and Sindh saw a 40 per cent increase in spouses threatening their partners with physical violence and a 46 per cent rise in physical assault” (Dawn, December 28).
Express Tribune (December 30) speaks to the reasons for this rise: “The lack of robust social safety nets and challenging conditions at women’s rehabilitation and protection centres leaves women with limited options, compelling them to endure abusive situations.”
Dawn (December 28) comments on the solutions to this issue saying, “Education and sensitisation programmes can play a significant role in altering perceptions and behaviour… Corporate policies must not only support gender equality but also provide safe and equitable work environments for women.” Most importantly, “a collective effort from the government, civil society, and the private sector is essential… [because] the cost of inaction is too high.”
UNDP’s suggestions for the economy
A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) analyses Pakistan’s debt situation and suggests measures for “responsible financial management, increasing revenue, enforcing fiscal discipline and diversifying its funding sources” (Express Tribune, December 28).
Both The Nation and Express Tribune discuss two points from the report. First, the need for greater parliamentary oversight for the treasury. Second, to consider the possibility of Pakistan joining the Open Government Partnership that can “enhance fiscal transparency, empowering citizens with detailed insights into government finances” (The Nation, December 27).
The Nation (December 27) tasks the incoming government with “encouraging domestic savings, attracting foreign direct investments, and engaging in public-private partnerships for infrastructure development” to reduce “excessive reliance on external loans and grants”.
Express Tribune (December 28) speaks to the nation’s overall financial health, saying, “The end goal here would be economic stabilisation and sustainable growth, along with lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio. But reaching that goal will be an uphill task because of the shape of the economy as it stands and the country’s increasing dependence on short-term fixes for those economic woes.”
adya.goyal@expressindia.com