Shameful
Apparently there is a good reason that Pakistan is one of the last couple of countries that has been unable to control polio. Strangely, we are a country where it is possible to sell the narrative that anti-polio drops can cause impotence or infertility years down the road, or – fantastically – that polio drops can help drones locate targets. Yet it is not possible to make some of our more passionate people realise the centrality of polio drops to the wellbeing of their children. Far too often there are reports of anti-polio workers coming in harm’s way; some hurt, few killed. Yet rarely has the government taken meaningful action.
A recent news report about a lady health worker from KP, who was gang-raped because certain extremist locals considered her job “Jews’ work”, etc, is utterly shameful, and should, at least, provide our leaders with a moment of soul searching. According to press reports, the mother of five was raped, in her house, by four people – including two in police uniform – because she insisted on administering anti-polio vaccine in her area. That the incident took place in late Aug and relevant authorities have yet to move forward on the case speaks volumes about the kind of country, and people, we have become.
While the government goes about fulfilling its obsession with mega projects, it is routinely overlooking the good of the common people, especially children. The case of this unfortunate lady health worker is not restricted to her – though she deserves justice and the government would, once again, stand in criminal neglect if it does not act. Her plight is indicative of larger official indifference towards things that do not translate into votes and perpetual power. Strangely, after coming to power three times, the N-league seems to have forgotten that even the incumbent has to go back to the people after every election cycle. Going by its disregard for common suffering, the ruling party will have a hard time justifying some of its shameful silence on matters that required urgent attention.
