Pakistan is a signatory to several international protocols and obligations which support people’s access to their fundamental human needs without any discrimination. Regarding the devastating monsoon rains in Sindh, the spirit of all principles of the international charter and of our own constitution has been severely violated. Aid distribution, rescue and relief services of the government were discriminative.
Many people have died due to the ravages of monsoon rains and breaches in the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) in the districts of Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Badin. Besides, it has resulted in the destruction of the means of livelihood for millions of people with the death of cattle and poultry and the inundation of crops. Minority communities were the most badly hit.
They have no alternative but to live under the open sky, facing the vagaries of weather. They were denied accommodation in relief camps where only Muslims were living. However, the role of our print, electronic and social media is praiseworthy. On the eve of the International Human Rights Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the role of the social media in highlighting the importance of human rights and its role in sensitising and mobilising people to demand their rights including justice, dignity, equality and participation.
MUHAMMAD MUSSAB AQEEL
Karachi
