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Is nature annoyed with Pakistan?
Comments
Zahid Malik
It seems Mother Nature is parsimoniously avaricious to Pakistan this
winter as except a few pearls from the sky the other day, the season
this year looks so far like a looming drought.
Director General of Pakistan Meteorological Department has
attributed drought-like situation in the country to the so-called
El-Nino phenomenon. He may be right as he is authority on the
subject that the unprecedented drought may be because of El-Nino,
nevertheless I tend to believe that the nature too appears to be
unhappy with this Islamic Republic of Pakistan. El-Nino is Spanish
word for "the boy" and refers to the Christ child, because periodic
warming in the Pacific near South America is usually noticed around
Christmas.
The subject of comment today is highly important having far reaching
consequences as the country faces an acute impending food and water
shortages. We see, almost on daily basis, different segments of the
society out on roads and streets to protest the crippling shortage
of electricity and continuation of the drought conditions would not
only push us to a dark era due to drying up of potable and
irrigation water reservoirs that produce hydel power but could also
cause food scarcity and possibly food riots. Already, the price of
wheat has gone to a level where ordinary citizens find it difficult
to feed their children and one shudders to imagine the situation
when shortage of food could further push prices forcing those to
starvation, who are already living below the poverty line.
The drought and the shortage of water has three dimensions:
Indian diversion of river waters in occupied Kashmir in total
violation of the Indus Water Treaty, drying up of river beds and
mushroom growth of wild bushes, less snowfall due to rising
temperature and the phenomenon of El-Nino as well. The water-table
has descended hazardously due to absence of rains and the situation
is already assuming alarming and disturbing anticipation of dangers
with reservoirs meant for supplying drinking water even to the
twin-cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad turning into cracking dry
mud. Water has greatly shrunk in the capital's otherwise picturesque
Rawal Lake where youth are seen performing one wheeling and playing
Cricket. As the Dam is the major source of potable water to the
populous Rawalpindi housing GHQ as well, the authorities of the
metropolitan have started rationing of water due to enormous
shortfall in supply. Worst is the situation in Khanpur Dam, water of
which is shared both by Islamabad and Rawalpindi that can meet
requirements only for a few more days. And Simly Dam too is drying
up and it is feared that no supplies would be available after two
weeks. Unfortunately, the authorities concerned did no long-term
planning to cope with such an eventuality, as they failed to build
more storages and ensure judicious utilization of water like lining
of the canals which are absorbing about 30 per cent of the precious
irrigation water resulting in water-logging and salinity in fertile
lands. They did nothing in this regard and the incumbent Government
too is oblivious of the devastating dangers ahead.
Absence of rain and that too at the crucial period for wheat crop
cultivation has already inflicted unimaginable damage. There were a
few showers in some of the cities on Thursday last. However, they
were not of any significant consequence. In Barani areas the
seedlings of wheat crop have turned into straw and loss of crop
would play havoc with poverty-stricken region as apart from
food-grains they would have no fodder for their animals as well.
According to agricultural experts lack of rain may slash the wheat
production by three million tons from 25 million to 22 million tons
lowering the agriculture sector contribution to the real GDP growth
this year. Even if there are rains now, wheat and other Rabi crops
like pulses have already been adversely affected in the Barani areas
which contribute about 10% of wheat. There is shortage of about 40
percent water in storages and that too will have a negative impact
on the production of wheat in irrigated areas.
Despite the expected shortfall, though the authorities claim that
they have enough reserves of wheat from last year's bumper wheat
crop, yet they are keeping their eyes shut towards large-scale
smuggling to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics and the price
in the local market of a 20 kg flour bag has reached to Rs.580. In
order to earn more foreign exchange, there is a mad rush for rice
export targeted to 3.5 million tons as against the rice crop of over
5.5 million tons this year. The rice consumption in the country is
estimated around 2.5 to 3 million tons while the persistent drought
impacting flour prices would lead to more consumption of rice.
In view of the prevailing phenomenon it is believed and even
ordinary people say that nature is annoyed with this land of
otherwise 'pure'. Accusing fingers are being raised by all and
sundry at the leadership, which is seen to be defiant and earning
the wrath of nature. Some people quote many instances from history
that Allah Almighty blesses a country with rains when the leadership
is humane while there is drought when the Almighty is not happy with
a nation and wants to give some lessons to it. The Holy Qur'an too
points out “Indeed We afflicted the Pharaoh and his people with
years of drought and scarcity of fruit, so they might take heed.
But, whenever good came to them they would say: 'This is our due.'
And if they suffered from evil, they would consider it an omen
ascribed to Moses and whoever was with him. Verily, their omens are
God given, yet most of them would not know.” (Qur'an 7:130-131)
I too endorse the general perception on the basis of a little bit of
study of the meanings of the Holy Qur'an and the work that I have
carried out in the form of my worldwide acclaimed book “Subjects of
Quran”, that nature too responses to rulers' deeds and misdeeds. It
has been ordained in Surah 42, Ayat 30 of the Holy Qur'an "Whatever
misfortune happens to you, it is because of the things your hands
have wrought, and for many of them He grants forgiveness…" Religious
scholars agree that certain sins are such that, if committed, will
invite a very swift and severe punishment. Among these types of sins
are: Unjust decision-making and the breaking of a pledge these await
the imposition of tyrannical rule. Short-weighting and
short-measuring by traders await the punishment of famine, inflation
and oppression. Widespread betrayal of trust will cause the
imposition of tyrant rulers. One can observe that almost all these
conditions persist in the country today and that is why the Nature
has turned its face away from us.
In Holy Qur'an Sura Ash-shura Ayat 27-28 say: For, if God were to
grant [in this world] abundant sustenance to all of His servants,
they would behave on earth with wanton insolence; but as it is, He
bestows His grace from on high in due measure, as He wills: for,
verily, He is fully aware of the needs of His creatures, and sees
them all. He is the One that sends down rain even after men have
given up all hope, and scatters His Mercy far and wide. And He is
the Protector, Worthy of all Praise. [42:27-28]
People across the country have been offering Nimaz-e-Istasqa to seek
forgiveness of Allah Almighty and showering of his blessings in the
shape of rains. The Federal Cabinet too offered Dua (prayers) while
the President had offered Nimaz-e-Istasqa at Aiwan-e-Sadr seeking
blessings of Allah Almighty for rains and I visualize him uttering
the words “rain khappay” during 'Dua'.
What we are faced today are ominous signs and portent of bad luck
thrust upon us due to wrong doings of rulers as well as our
individual degeneration as is evident like oppressive stories like
that of murder of innocent Shazia in Lahore. It is time we repent
and seek mercy and forgiveness from Allah Almighty so that He sends
down the much-needed and long awaited rain.
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