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Last week, 4 Indian Army troopers have been killed and three injured in an ambush on two navy automobiles in Poonch district. One day later, eight civilians have been picked up by the military for questioning. Three of them have been discovered lifeless after, and 5 have been admitted to the hospital. Since this comes within the wake of the Article 370 abrogation being upheld by the Supreme Court, there was some criticism of the Army.
Dawn (December 29) says, “Sadly, justice has eluded the people of Kashmir since partition… the Indian state uses ‘counterterrorism’ as a convenient alibi to deny the Kashmiri people their rights, and inflict odious violence upon them.” Urging the worldwide neighborhood to talk up, the editorial asks, “How many more Kashmiris will have to be tortured and killed for the international community to realise that India must be held to account for its cruel policies in the held territory?”
The Nation (December 25) feedback on the response of the Indian authorities: “Compensation for the deceased and legal proceedings, is a step in the right direction. However, given the complex history of human rights abuses in Kashmir, a comprehensive and impartial investigation is necessary to rebuild trust and prevent future atrocities.”
Jinnah Day and Christmas
In Pakistan, December 25 is well known as Christmas and Jinnah Day (Quaid-e-Azam Day). It is a day to recollect the founder and first governor-general of Pakistan. The media has taken this event to remind readers of the values Muhammad Ali Jinnah stood by, and to work in the direction of making Pakistan the nation that he envisioned.
News International (December 25) brings collectively the spirit of Christmas and Jinnah Day saying, “These two crucial events are intertwined in so many ways, reminding us of the desperate need for tolerance and acceptance of all beliefs in a nation that stands divided along lines of religion, sect, and ethnicity.” The editorial feedback on the state of minorities within the nation acknowledging how “Christians have been relegated to the lowest economic roles in society and denied opportunities for educational, economic, and social growth”.
Daily Times (December 25) agrees and reiterates Jinnah’s imaginative and prescient of “a country that would be built on the principles of tolerance and equality”. It says, “The growing intolerance towards whosoever dares to say or even think out loud something different from the general tide goes against the very essence of Jinnah’s vision for a country where all citizens are treated with equal rights and dignity.” Worrying rise in home violenceAccording to a current report by the Asian Development Bank, there was a major improve in home violence in opposition to girls and youngsters because of the Covid pandemic. In phrases of numbers, “Punjab and Sindh saw a 40 per cent increase in spouses threatening their partners with physical violence and a 46 per cent rise in physical assault” (Dawn, December 28).
Express Tribune (December 30) speaks to the explanations for this rise: “The lack of robust social safety nets and challenging conditions at women’s rehabilitation and protection centres leaves women with limited options, compelling them to endure abusive situations.”
Dawn (December 28) feedback on the options to this problem saying, “Education and sensitisation programmes can play a significant role in altering perceptions and behaviour… Corporate policies must not only support gender equality but also provide safe and equitable work environments for women.” Most importantly, “a collective effort from the government, civil society, and the private sector is essential… [because] the cost of inaction is too high.”
UNDP’s recommendations for the economic system
A current report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) analyses Pakistan’s debt scenario and suggests measures for “responsible financial management, increasing revenue, enforcing fiscal discipline and diversifying its funding sources” (Express Tribune, December 28).
Both The Nation and Express Tribune focus on two factors from the report. First, the necessity for larger parliamentary oversight for the treasury. Second, to think about the opportunity of Pakistan becoming a member of the Open Government Partnership that may “enhance fiscal transparency, empowering citizens with detailed insights into government finances” (The Nation, December 27).
The Nation (December 27) duties the incoming authorities with “encouraging domestic savings, attracting foreign direct investments, and engaging in public-private partnerships for infrastructure development” to scale back “excessive reliance on external loans and grants”.
Express Tribune (December 28) speaks to the nation’s general monetary well being, saying, “The end goal here would be economic stabilisation and sustainable growth, along with lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio. But reaching that goal will be an uphill task because of the shape of the economy as it stands and the country’s increasing dependence on short-term fixes for those economic woes.”
adya.goyal@expressindia.com
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 31-12-2023 at 13:44 IST
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