By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: The WIP
In Pakistan, people with disabilities are generally missing from public places such as shopping malls, restaurants and even universities. But it’s not that the country doesn’t have its share of the disabled; on the contrary, their numbers are estimated to be 16 million. So why are they invisible?
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
AN Afghan proverb holds that zar, zan and zameen (gold, woman and land) are linked to a man`s honour. It is no different in Pakistan`s tribal and feudal tradition.
While women are fighting back and wealth is no longer the exclusive preserve of a handful, land continues to be the most coveted element in the lexicon of male honour. Land hunger lies at the root of many evils. Civilised societies have another perspective. They regard housing, “the crucible for human well-being”, as the fundamental right of man to enable him to live in peace and dignity. For that he needs land.
Continue reading Khaskhelis: victims of feudalism
By Zubeida Mustafa
ONE of my earliest childhood memories is that of my father’s Standard four door saloon. It would rank as a vintage car today. A sturdy, dark green box shaped car with a black footboard this vehicle which served the family well for 15 years was by no means an ideal one as far as luxury went. On wintry mornings its cold engine needed a crank with a handle to jerk it into action. Yet there was no talk of changing the car because, its old-fashioned technology notwithstanding, it served our needs well. It was like another member of the family and we were heart-broken when the car was sold. Continue reading Flip side of consumerism
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
RECENTLY Piler, which has been conducting useful research on labour issues, released its latest report titled Denial and Discrimination: Labour Rights in Pakistan. Written by Zeenat Hisam, this report sheds light on the labour sector in the country and provides valuable information for those looking into the status of workers and how the labour movement is faring.
Continue reading A grim outlook for labour
By Zubeida Mustafa
Source: Dawn
WHILE the Pakistan government goes to extraordinary lengths to laud its economic performance, economists have correctly pointed out the growing inequities that have been spawned by President Musharraf’s policies. (See Akbar Zaidi’s “Eight years of missed opportunities” in Dawn of June 10, 2007.)
It was, therefore, like a bolt from the blue to see the Pakistan Economic Survey 2006-07 attempting to prettify the state of poverty in the country by citing a few statistics to paint a somewhat rosier picture.
Continue reading The poor have no choices