Journeys to democracy

‘Food security is a fundamental human right’

Tuesday, September 15, 2009, The News
By Shahid Husain

‘Karachi

At least 14 women and children were killed in a stampede in Kohri Garden area in Old Karachi to get free flour although ensuring food security is a fundamental human right ensured under Article 14 of Pakistan’s Constitution.

“We express deep grief and deep condemnation over the fact that people are subjected to lose their lives to collect basic necessities of life,” Co-Chairman Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Iqbal Haider told The News.

“The government is duty bound to ensure supply of basic necessities without violating human dignity as guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution and without forcing people to put their life at stake,” he said.

“It’s a most shameful state of affair that everyday people are suffering not only of hunger but losing life or their limbs in their struggle for survival,” he added.

According to 2008 data from the World Food Programme, 77 million Pakistanis – nearly half of the country’s total population – are food insecure, while 95 of Pakistan’s 121 districts face problems such as hunger and malnutrition-related diseases. Last year, a UNICEF report concluded that half of all child deaths in Pakistan can be attributed to poor nutrition.

“Measures taken in Sindh and Punjab to provide subsidised “Atta” (flour) are popular gimmicks. If the government is serious in providing subsidy on essential food items, it should provide ration cards to those who deserve subsidy otherwise you are bound to have long queues and the chaos that inevitably follows,” said Dr. Asad Sayeed, a leading economist associated with Collective for Social Science Research, an independent think tank based in Karachi.

Ironically, it’s the women and children are the most vulnerable sections of the population.

“It is really unfortunate and shameful that we treat people like beggars and have no respect for human rights,” said Anis Haroon, Executive Director, Aurat Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

“The matter of distribution of free ration is not at all organised to cater to the needs of the people. Rather it is meant for publicity of those who want to look good by giving away charity and women and children become most vulnerable in such crowding scenes and stampede,” she said.

“Moreover, women carry the burden of fulfilling the needs of the households in whatever way it is available to them,” she said.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=198523

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