In impoverished Pakistani desert region, an alarming rise in suicide cases

Pakistani villagers sit under trees on a hot summer day at Islamkot in Tharparkar district in Sindh province on May 22, 2018. (AFP)
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Updated 24 June 2021
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In impoverished Pakistani desert region, an alarming rise in suicide cases

  • Between 2016 to 2020, 79 out of the 767 suicide cases in Sindh province were reported in Tharparkar district
  • At least 48 people — 31 women — have taken their own lives in the district since January this year

MITHI, SINDH: Pakistan’s southern region of Tharparkar in the Thar desert is facing an alarming rise in suicide cases, especially among women, with authorities linking the emerging health crisis to chronic mental illness in the impoverished district.
Between 2016 to 2020, the Sindh Mental Health Authority (SMHA), an arm of the provincial government, recorded 767 suicides in the southern Sindh province, of which the highest number, 79 cases, occurred in Tharparkar.
Tharparkar police data shows that at least 48 people — 31 women — have taken their own lives in the district since January this year.
Between June 11 and June 16 alone, eight suicide cases were registered in the region.
This month, the SMHA carried out what it called a “psychiatric autopsy” of the district to determine the “reasons behind suicides, including why more women were committing suicides,” the authority’s chairman Dr. Karim Khawaja, said.
“The results of the psychiatric autopsy will be available in the next few weeks,” he said. “It will reveal the real reasons for suicide cases and help in preventing suicides in Tharparkar.”
Baadal Saand, who heads the anti-suicide cell of the Tharparkar police, attributed a majority of the cases to “mental illness and depression.”
Dr. Bharat Kumar, the district’s only psychiatrist, said poverty “may be a vital reason” but the “mother reason” was psychiatric illness.
The UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index for Pakistan reports that 87 percent of the population in the Thar desert region lives in poverty.
“Besides psychiatric illness and depression, other reasons are lack of family support or social support, or economic issues,” Kumar said.
Khatau Jani, a senior journalist from the region, concurred that rising mental illness in the region was caused by extreme poverty.
“These are extreme poverty-hit communities,” Jani said. “What Thar needs is increased funding from both federal and provincial government poverty reduction programs.”
Climate change is also driving locals into more deprivation as their livelihoods depend on rainfall in a drought-battered region.
A report published by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in early June indicated that droughts persisting since October last year had resulted in increased food insecurity in a number of Sindh districts, including Tharpakar.
“Due to consistent deficiency of rainfall since October 2020, the moderate drought has been further intensified into severe drought especially in the southwestern Balochistan and southeastern Sindh,” the PDM said. “Drought conditions may further affect agriculture and livestock.”
Experts say modern agriculture could relieve the poverty-stricken area.
Dr. Amanullah Mahar, assistant professor at the Center for Environmental Science at the University of Sindh, recommended planting moringa trees, which flourish in arid and semiarid environments, and whose fruit pods can be consumed as food.
“Locals would not have to wait for rains for the production of moringa,” he said.
Another option was biosaline agriculture, Mahar said, a means of producing plants in saline-rich soil in arid, water-scarce locations. The method has already been tested in the district.
“Recently there was a successful experiment with biosaline agriculture in Tharparkar,” he said. “It is important to expand this agriculture pattern throughout the desert.”


Pakistani IT firms showcase AI, Big Data solutions at Amsterdam tech exhibition

Updated 03 October 2024
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Pakistani IT firms showcase AI, Big Data solutions at Amsterdam tech exhibition

  • Exhibition held from Oct. 1-2 was sponsored by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan
  • Pakistan’s participation shows its growing expertise in AI, big data, says commerce ministry 

ISLAMABAD: Four Pakistani information technology firms showcased cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and big data solutions at an exhibition in Amsterdam this week, highlighting the country’s role as a key player in the global tech arena, the commerce ministry said on Thursday.

The AI and Big Data Expo Europe was held from Oct. 1-2 in Amsterdam, featuring next-generation technologies and strategies in the world of artificial intelligence. The event was sponsored by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and included various speakers from the fields of data science. 

AI technology enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision making and creativity. Big data refers to extremely large and diverse collections of structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data that continues to grow exponentially over time. Big data is used in machine learning, predictive modeling, and other advanced analytics to solve business problems and make informed decisions. 

“Four leading Pakistani IT companies Reach the Globe, ICILtek, NorthBay Solutions and Sofizar/ ConstellationCK proudly represented Pakistan at the AI and Big Data Exhibition Europe at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam,” the commerce ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Pakistan’s embassy in The Hague played an important role in promoting the participation of these companies by ensuring a “seamless setup” of the Pakistan Pavillion, the ministry said. It added that the embassy also facilitated booths for local companies and promoted Pakistani IT firms in front of visitors from different sectors. 

The Pakistani embassy hosted a networking dinner to bring together local IT firms and key stakeholders representing Dutch companies, the statement said. The dinner provided a platform for Pakistani and Dutch businesses to discuss collaboration opportunities. 

Muhammad Shafiq Haider Virk, Pakistan’s trade and investment councilor in the Netherlands, said the participation of the four local companies demonstrated the South Asian nation’s growing expertise in AI and big data.

“The Embassy of Pakistan in The Hague will continue to support and promote Pakistani businesses on the global stage, strengthening our trade ties with the Netherlands and Europe,” he said.


Relief for government as Pakistan top court rejects 2022 ruling on lawmakers’ defection clause

Updated 03 October 2024
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Relief for government as Pakistan top court rejects 2022 ruling on lawmakers’ defection clause

  • Pakistan’s top court barred lawmakers in 2022 from voting against their parliamentary party’s lines
  • Ruling comes ahead of government’s move to table key constitutional amendments in parliament 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top court unanimously accepted a review petition against its 2022 judgment related to a defection clause in the constitution that barred lawmakers from voting against party lines in parliament, with the decision expected to bring major relief to the government as it plans to introduce a set of constitutional amendments in parliament. 

Pakistan’s top court ruled in May 2022 that votes cast by lawmakers opposed to their parliamentary party in four instances mentioned in the constitution’s Article 63-A would not be counted and the lawmaker found guilty of doing so could be disqualified from holding membership of parliament. These four instances include the elections of a prime minister and chief minister, a vote of confidence or no confidence, a constitutional amendment bill, and a money bill.

Pakistan’s ruling coalition government is planning on introducing a set of constitutional amendments in parliament that lawyers, opposition parties and independent experts allege are aimed at increasing the government’s power in making key judicial appointments and dealing with the defection of lawmakers during house votes. 

However, the government had deferred its move to table the amendments last month, admitting it did not have the required two-thirds majority in parliament required for their approval. Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has warned that if the Supreme Court struck down its 2022 ruling, it would pave the way for floor crossing in parliament. 

“I strongly condemn this, I just heard that the decision of [Article] 63-A has been issued,” former president and PTI leader Arif Alvi told reporters, shortly after a five-member bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa accepted the review petition. 

“What was the need for this? They just want to pass these amendments through this fake assembly which was rejected by even Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, which can’t even pass a law let alone an amendment,” he added.

‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND UNJUST’ 

Khan’s lawyer in the case Ali Zafar had objected to the formation of the five-member bench and sought a meeting with the former prime minister in prison. 

Khan’s PTI has accused the government of attempting to grant an extension in tenure to Isa, who is widely viewed to be aligned with the ruling coalition and in opposition to its chief rival, the PTI, through the constitutional amendments.

The government denies these allegations and says the amendments are aimed at providing speedy justice to thousands of litigants in the country. 

Zafar later boycotted the court’s proceedings on Thursday, saying the ruling would open the door for “horse-trading” in parliament. 

Pakistan’s coalition government has criticized the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar saying last month that it was akin to rewriting the constitution. 

Tarar had argued that no institution has the right to interpret the constitution as it pleases. 

“The Supreme Court finally admits its previous ruling on Article 63-A was unconstitutional and unjust,” the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party wrote on social media platform X. 

“They have corrected the blunder made by selected judges.”


Punjab bans public gatherings in Lahore ahead of rally by ex-PM Khan’s party

Updated 03 October 2024
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Punjab bans public gatherings in Lahore ahead of rally by ex-PM Khan’s party

  • Khan’s PTI plans to protest against proposed constitutional amendments, demand his release from prison on Saturday
  • Protest demonstrations by Khan’s party in Mianwali and Faisalabad on Wednesday resulted in clashes between police and supporters

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government announced on Thursday that it has banned public gatherings in the eastern city of Lahore for six days to maintain law and order, days before former prime minister Imran Khan’s party planned protest in the city. 

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party plans to protest in Lahore on Saturday against the government’s proposed constitutional amendments, which the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denies are meant to suppress judicial independence, and also demand his release from prison. 

Section 144 is a legal provision that allows a ban on the gathering of more than four people on account of security threats. The Punjab government this week imposed the provision in Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Mianwali cities in the province ahead of demonstrations by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Wednesday. 

Social media footage showed clashes breaking out between Khan supporters and police, who fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

“The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in Lahore for six days from today to Tuesday,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

The state media said that political gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations, protests and similar activities are banned under the provision. 

“The decision was made to maintain law and order and to protect human lives and property,” the state broadcaster said. 

The PTI is scheduled to hold another demonstration at the Democracy Chowk (D-Chowk) in Pakistan’s capital on Friday. The public square is situated near key government buildings in Islamabad, making it a place where political demonstrations and protests are frequently held. 

PREVIOUS PTI PROTESTS

The garrison city of Rawalpindi, bordering the federal capital of Islamabad, remained tense last Saturday as police fired tear gas shells to disperse hundreds of Khan supporters ahead of a protest in the city to demand the release of Khan, who has been in jail since August last year on multiple charges that he says are politically motivated to keep him and his party out of politics.

After a PTI rally in Islamabad on Sept. 8, over a dozen legislators from the party were arrested on charges of violating an agreement based on which permission for the gathering was issued, including abiding by a time limit and supporters sticking to certain routes to reach the designated venue for the rally on Islamabad’s outskirts.

Khan’s party says the challenges in holding rallies are part of an over-year-long crackdown it has faced since protesters allegedly linked to the party attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after the former premier’s brief arrest the same day in a land graft case.

Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military, which says Khan and his party were behind the attacks, has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.

Khan, who has been in jail since last August, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics.


Pakistan extends ‘full’ support as Israel bans UN secretary-general from entering country

Updated 03 October 2024
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Pakistan extends ‘full’ support as Israel bans UN secretary-general from entering country

  • UN envoy commends Antonio Guterres for “principled and courageous stance on situation in Middle East”
  • Israel has declared Guterres ‘persona non grata’ for not condemning Iran over Tuesday missile strikes 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned Israel for its “unjustified and slanderous” attacks on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and its announcement that it had banned him from entering the country over his failure to condemn Iran’s missile attacks earlier this week. 

Iran on Tuesday launched a salvo of missiles at Israel it said wefe in retaliation for Israeli killings of militant leaders and aggression in Lebanon against the Iran-backed armed movement Hezbollah and in Gaza. Fears that Iran and the US would be drawn into a regional war had already risen with Israel’s intensifying assault on Lebanon in the past two weeks, including the start of a ground operation there on Monday, and its year-old conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Following the Iranian airstrikes, the UN chief had condemned the “broadening” Middle East conflict and slammed “escalation after escalation” in the region but did not name Iran directly. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz lashed out at Guterres, saying someone who could not condemn Iran’s attack on Israel did not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil. He said the UN chief would be remembered as a “stain on the history of the UN for generations to come” for what he described as his support for militant groups. 

“Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the UN Secretary-General and commends his principled and courageous stance on the situation in the Middle East, particularly the atrocities in Gaza and the aggression against Lebanon,” Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, said in an interview with state news agency APP.

“We strongly condemn Israel’s unjustified and slanderous attacks against the UN Secretary-General and the UN, which is a pillar of world order. Insult and abuse is the weapon of aggressors and oppressors.”

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller later stated the US believed Israel’s step to ban Guterres was “not productive at all” due to the UN’s role in the region. 

“One of the things we’ve always said that Israel needs to be cognizant of throughout this conflict is its standing in the world, and steps like this are not productive to improve its standing in the world,” Miller added. 


In Karachi, hot tiffin lunches, thanks to a centuries-old meal delivery service

Updated 03 October 2024
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In Karachi, hot tiffin lunches, thanks to a centuries-old meal delivery service

  • Thousands of tiffin wallahs deliver home- and restaurant-cooked hot lunches daily to Karachi’s office goers
  • Tradition comes from Bombay where service was launched in 1800s to cater to needs of growing working population 

KARACHI: Muhammad Hussain waited for the traffic light to turn green and then sped ahead into a busy artery in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, with large bags slung from his motorcycle’s handlebars filled with steel lunch boxes called tiffins.

Hussain is among hundreds of tiffin wallahs who daily navigate the crowded port city by motorbike, and sometimes by public transport, to deliver thousands of hot lunches to Karachi’s vast working population.

Tiffins are mostly round, with up to four stainless steel compartments stacked atop one another and sealed together with a tight fitting lid and side clip. The separate compartments are perfect for accommodating multi-dish South Asian lunches, simple but often made of many moving parts: a spicy vegetable or meat curry, lentils, rice, yogurt, pickles, flatbread and sometimes even a sweet. 

The delivery of home-cooked tiffin lunches has its origins as a service for British colonial officers in India but turned into a booming business in the late 1800s to cater to a growing number of migrants moving from different parts of the country to Bombay — a crucial center of British imperial rule and bringing with them their distinctive cuisines and tastes. An Indian entrepreneur, Mahadeo Havaji Bacche, launched the tiffin distribution business in Bombay in 1890 to meet the culinary needs of this rapidly growing working population whose members had to leave early in the morning for work and would often go hungry for lunch. 

Today, even with the advent of fast food joints and delivery services like FoodPanda, the middle-classes of Karachi, much like Bombay, remain skeptical of “outside” food and prefer their lunches homecooked.

“This started in India, the tiffin service is operating there,” Muhammad Ibrahim Abu, 60, a retired tiffin wallah who was in the business for three decades, told Arab News earlier this month. 

“Since we migrated from there [to Pakistan], we thought why not start this work in Pakistan? So, we started it in Pakistan and praise be to god, it has been running successfully.”

Indeed, the tiffin wallahs have loyal customers all over Karachi, with many students and office goers preferring the taste of home-prepared meals to takeouts.

“We get home-cooked meals while sitting in the office, and secondly it carries the same homemade taste,” local trader Muhammad Irfan, 42, told Arab News as he unclasped a just-delivered tiffin and poured egg curry into a white plate from one of its containers. A group of four of his colleagues gathered around the food and began the shared meal. 

Muhammad Hussain can serve up to 150 customers like Irfan in one day, he told Arab News as he started his deliveries one cool October morning this week. 

“Our kitchen, catering work starts after 8:30am or 8:45am and by approximately 11am, we begin filling the tiffins and from 11:00am to around 12:30pm, we head out for deliveries,” the tiffin wallah explained. 

By around 330pm, his deliveries are done and he is ready to pick up empty tiffins. 

“By the time we have everything settled, it’s evening.”

Hussain charges Rs520 ($1.87) for a regular tiffin, which serves three to four people while a larger tiffin that serves up to six people costs Rs780 ($2.81). The prices are at least three times less than what it would cost to have a simple meal at a street side dhaba. 

But what’s on the menu?

“We cook two dishes every day,” Hussain said. “We prepare one meat dish and one vegetable dish.”

A range of items is on offer: chicken korma, chicken roast, chicken karahi, achari chicken, a curry of egg and onions, chickpeas cooked in masalas, lentils, moong dal, mixed vegetables, and fried okra.

“On Tuesdays, we have special lentils and rice and we also serve a separate chicken dish,” Hussain said. “And on Fridays, sometimes we have chicken biryani [rice], sometimes beef biryani, and at times chicken pulao [rice].”

His customers love the offerings. 

Muhammad Bashir, 30, an office worker, said there was a “significant difference” between the tiffin meals and those he sometimes ordered from restaurants near his office.

“This is home-cooked food, which is clean and tidy,” Bashir told Arab News. “Secondly, it has fewer spices, and the homemade flavors are great.”

Irfan, who was sharing his tiffin with four colleagues, said it evoked a “powerful feeling” of nostalgia.

“I’ve been seeing this since my childhood because in the school we attended, tiffins used to come for the teachers,” he said. 

But time has not been kind to the tiffin business, said Abu, the retired tiffin wallah who closed shop two years ago as surging inflation and a dwindling clientele dampened the business. 

“I started with just five or six tiffins and gradually it grew to over a hundred,” Abu told Arab News.

Asif Haroon, 50, who took over the business from his mother 30 years ago, said he was carrying on “just for the sake of the past.”

“One can say that someone working in the tiffin business is merely passing the time,” Haroon said. “It’s not the same as it was before.”

Hussain, who was on his way to start picking up empty tiffins as the afternoon sun went down, agreed. 

“Many people have left this work and moved on to other fields,” he said as he revved the engine of his motorcycle. “Only some of us have managed to keep this tradition of the past alive.”