Pakistan - Climate Change Challenges.

 

Pakistan is a country whose contribution to the causes of climate change are not many but probably Pakistan is among the countries who are in the top list of countries badly impacted by global climatically changes . Climate change can generally be defined as a change in global or regional climate patterns. In particular, it can be attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels, or “A change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.” Climate Change is a change in weather patterns when it lasts for an extended period of time. It is a hot issue of these days as it is affecting the world in several ways. As it can be seen by changing patterns of weather in different regions of world climate is changing drastically.

We all know it clearly that climate change has caused drastic effects in the world climate, such as the rise of carbon dioxide level, global temperature, melting of ice sheets, rise of sea levels, and ocean acidification. For this change, a range of human activities is responsible. Human activities are the major cause of climate change. The foremost cause is global warming. Burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, has increased the concentration of carbon dioxide. Due to expansion of the greenhouse effect, global warming has risen. The main causes of climate change include the emission of greenhouse gases, burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, increasing livestock farming, excessive use of fertilizers, use of aerosol sprays and many more. Deforestation and increase in the use of chemicals in domestic and agriculture life is another reason of climate change. Deforestation is another leading cause of global warming and produces about 24 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and other fluorinated gases. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas which is added to the atmosphere by burning of the fossil. Its concentration is 40% higher than it was when industrialization started. Other greenhouse gases are emitted in smaller quantities, but they trap heat more effectively than carbon dioxide and in some cases thousand times stronger.

Almost all the causes of climate change are due to human activities. Humans are cutting down trees, burning fossil fuels at an alarming rate, using a lot of fertilizers and increasing amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Due to these anthropogenic activities, the ozone is also depleting. Mining, oil spills, drilling for oil and gas etc are also affecting the wild and marine life in the Arctic. The depleting of ozone is leading to melting of glaciers in Antarctica and Arctic regions. This, in turn, is responsible for rising of sea levels in different continents of the world. This increasing of sea level is a major threat to island countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and other Marshall islands.

Pakistan’s climate change concerns include increased variability of monsoons, the likely impact of receding Himalayan glaciers on the Indus River system, decreased capacity of water reservoirs, reduced hydropower during drought years, and extreme events including floods and droughts. Pakistan’s concerns included increased variability of monsoon, receding of Himalayan glacier’s likely  impact on Indus River system flows, decreased capacity of water reservoirs and extreme events including floods and droughts. He said that climate change would induce severe water stress, and Pakistan will face food insecurity due to decreasing agricultural production. Beside these we are also facing the degradation of ecosystems, biodiversity loss and saline water intrusion in the aquifers.

Adverse Impacts of Climate Change 

Pakistan is the fifth most climate vulnerable nation in the world. Between 1998 and 2018, according to the Global Climate Risk Index, the country is estimated to have lost nearly 10,000 lives to climate-related disasters. Pakistan has also suffered economically due to climate change and losses amounting to about $4 billion from 152 extreme weather events in that period. Analysts have estimated Pakistan’s climate migrants over the past decade at around 30 million people. Pakistan’s water cycle is the primary affected area of climate change. Agriculture is one of the major sectors likely to be adversely affected by climate change. Climate change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food quality. Projected increases in temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, changes in extreme weather events, and reductions in water availability may all result in reduced agricultural productivity. Seasonal smog is also due to climate change and pollution.

According to experts, Pakistan has faced around 150 freak weather incidents as a result of climate change in the past 20 years: flash floods, smog in winter, forest fires in summer, melting glaciers, freaky heat waves, landslides, displaced population. The major effects of climate change are global warming, ozone layer depletion, a rise of sea levels, melting of glaciers and destruction of habitats for many living organisms and cause of many diseases. The ozone layer depletion is resulting in many skins and breathing diseases. The frequency of floods has also increased drastically. The patterns of rain are also disturbed by climate change. Now, the number of rains per season is also decreasing due to the cutting of forests and many other environmental factors, resulting in soil and water erosion which directly affects agriculture. The biggest effect of climate change is global warming, increase in earth’s temperature, which is the main cause of acute drought conditions. The availability of water for domestic and agricultural uses is badly affected by it.

As a result of these climatically changes Pakistan is facing Social, environmental and economic impacts which are of great concern in developing countries like Pakistan, making people more vulnerable to effects of these hazards. As a result of abrupt climate changes 65-70% of country’s population is directly or indirectly related to agriculture. Water resources of Pakistan are getting scarce which directly relates to food insecurity, especially in rural areas. The arid and semi-arid zones are the most vulnerable to climate change as these regions are already facing water shortage and high temperature.

With unexpected seasonal changes crops are having adverse effects and leading to changing sowing time for crops which consequently changes irrigation requirements which modify the properties of soil and increase the risk of pest and disease attack, negatively altering agricultural productivity. Climate change scenarios have resulted in an increase in the epidemic potential for 12-27 percent for malaria and 31-47 percent of dengue. Mean annual temperature has increased in the recent past with greater increase in Sindh and Baluchistan. The threats go beyond glacier melt in the Himalayas and Karakorum as it would also face serious consequences from sea level rise threatening Karachi, Thatta and Badin and the coastline

Possible Solutions to Climate Change

Although it’s a much bigger challenge that we all are assuming and it will need much concentrated efforts not on an individual level but globally, however  here are some solutions that I can suggest for improving if not eliminating the deteriorating climate change situation and it will involve community, individuals, governments and other agencies of the world.

Ø  Pakistan needs immediate assistance of environment friendly technology transfer.

Ø   Capacity building, support in promoting Clean Development Mechanism for mitigating climate change.

Ø  Financing to adapt in sectors of agriculture, water and disasters.

Ø  More and more trees should be planted.

Ø  Energy should be used efficiently.

Ø  We should go for renewable power sources.

Ø  Pakistan needs to go all out in increasing its green cover by bringing new areas under plantation especially on farms.

Ø  We should bring more area under forest cover and improving management of the trees.

Ø  Floods, drought sand storms are forecasted with agriculture, water, energy, health as sectors requiring priority action.

Ø  The garbage should not be burned or burry in landfills. It may be made composts for kitchen gardens.

Ø  Conserve water as much as we can and should not waste it.

Ø  We should introduce Electric automobiles.

Ø  There is an immediate needs to combat climate without which Pakistan may not achieve its developmental targets.

Ø  Media should spread awareness regarding the effects of climate change.

Ø  Use eco-friendly appliances.

Ø  We must reduce emissions and stabilize the levels of greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere.

Ø  We must adapt climate-friendly lifestyles and pursue the principles of sustainable economic growth.

Ø  To check carbon emissions go for recycling.

Ø  The treatment of industrial waste should be made mandatory all over the world.

Ø  Governments should start taking this problem seriously.

Ø  They should implement Paris agreement in their countries.

Ø  They should start investing in projects which can try to minimize climate change.

Ø  Plastic should not be used. Environment-friendly shopper bags should be used.

Ø  Use of aerosol sprays should be minimized.

Ø  The misuse of fertilizers should be avoided.

Ø  Water should be used wisely.

Ø  The power generation should be done by environmental friendly means.

Ø  Conservation practices should be adopted regarding agriculture.

Let’s hope and pray that we will pass on a better and at-least climatically safer Pakistan to our next generations.

 

BY: Ovais Asad Khan

MEMOIR OF KHAN ISA GHAZNAVI

MY FATHER, (MON H’EROS)

Khan Isa Ghaznavi born in 1914 in a religious family of Delhi India, to Moosa Khan and Sakina bibi. He was brought up in Delhi, did his munshi fazil. From his teen years, he started writing both prose and poetry. In his early 20’s he developed interest in Indian film industry and show biz. Went to Bombay stayed there for a while then came back to Delhi in 1937 and started publishing a magazine covering Indian film industry by the name of FilmLight. In a very short time the magazine became one of the most known filmi magazine and got the reputation of a star-maker. Beside this magazine he played a major role in the launch and establishment of magazine Shama India, weekly film newspapers Nigar and daily Jang from India.

He got married to his first time cousin Jamila Begum in 1946 few months before partition and thus started a beautiful family. Had 7 children, one of whom didn’t survive long.

With the creation of Pakistan, came migration-and it was a horrifying train journey that he undertook along with his mother wife and other family members from Delhi crossing Indian Punjab where their train was attacked by Sikhs who butchered many people and burnt the train but luckily the family succeeded in reaching Lahore safely.

In Lahore the whole family took shelter in a majestic building of that time called Geeta Bhawan in one of most famous area of Lakshmi chowk, which had most of the Cinema Halls and offices of film production houses.

Here I would like to highlight a remarkable coincidence - the office which Isa Khan took possession of belonged to a Sikh publication house under the name of Jhollay Lal and few years after independence the Sikh owner of Jhollay Lal came to Lahore to see his office and in utter surprise and shock he told Isa Khan that the office which he had taken possession of, when he reached Delhi is that of FilmLight. In 1948 Isa Khan started the publication of FilmLight and in no time it became the voice of Pakistan Film industry. The appearance of a picture of any actor or actress on the front page of FilmLight meant a boast in the popularity of that actor or actress. Isa Khan was not only the proprietor, editor and publisher of that magazine but also use to write many articles and poetic write-up in the Magazine. He was literally the maker and breaker of actors and actresses from 1955 to 1970. Just one review in his magazine would change the mindset of his readers which was in thousands. After the death of his father in early seventies he diverted his writing and magazine style to semi political and religious.

Being a true nationalist he participated and led the Jaal agitation which was aimed towards closure of Indian films in Pakistan and was arrested along with Santosh Kumar, Shaukat Hussain Rizvi, Sibtain Fazli and W.Z.Ahmed. He also vehemently opposed the screening of “Ten Commandments” in Pakistan condemning it as anti-Islamic. Finally he closed down the FilmLight magazine in 1973.

Beside this magazine he wrote many books both in prose and poetry, out of which his “Untalees Qadam”Thirty-Nine Steps was a master piece.

He provided his children with best possible education , looked after their needs and was always there to guide & mentor them.

As a son, my first memory of him was of a nice fragrance. He was very fond of perfumes and beside perfume he loved the smell of chanbali and motia and never entered the house without carrying garlands of these flower in their season and I remember my mother always kept these flowers wrapped in a wet cloth on my father’s bed side. He had a classy attire - mostly dressed up in white starched cotton pants with white shirts and white Winklepickers/ Cambridge/ Oxford style pointed toe shoes. He carried silver Pan Case filled with his pans, a cigarette pack and a white handkerchief all drenched in perfume. He was a much disciplined person with a class of his own. A real smart and dashing personality, I honestly was always mesmerised by his aura, he carried himself like a nawab. We all called him Issa-Abu n though I was an introvert, a quiet child, yet we had an odd yet beautiful connection we understood each other in our own ways…. The thing that I tried to learn the most from my father was his sense of integrity, he always did the right thing even if everyone was opposing which defined his strong character.

He was a person with a big heart, was very religious and he never let anyone go away from his door empty handed. He treated all his cousins and other family members as his own family and was always there in their hour of need. He was a firm believer of the doctrine that God would give you more if you spend. He believed in giving the best possible education and necessities of life to his kids and family and never believed in savings.

He was a short-tempered person and for the right things would get bitter at times.

As a result of all these factors he was highly esteemed by his family, his cousins, their kids and even by some elders .The family respected him a lot and often accepted his decisions without any argument saying “if ISA says so it is okay ”.

He enjoyed the status of defecto head of his cousins and their families.

Coming back to his practical life after the closure of his magazine his love and association with film industry compelled him to start a film production house in partnership with a friend of his and in 7-8 years’ time they produced many films of which “”Aag” was a great hit.

However, the diagnosis of throat cancer in early 80 jolted him badly besides his health too started deteriorating and he left the materialistic life and turned all his devotion and time towards Islam and Allah. He started reading Quran, it’s Translation and Tafseer, Hadeeses and started his own writings on Islam combining the Quran and Ahadeeses together on certain topics. Confined himself mostly to his room which started turning into a Islamic library.

He was a father who loved his kids a lot and believed that instead of leaving property or bank balance it was better to give them best possible education.

Finally, in the mid 90’s he was diagnosed with abdominal cancer that restricted his movements. He was taken to Lahore from Karachi in February 1996 where the family migrated in 1988. In Lahore he got hospitalized in May and after fighting a valiant battle against cancer he died on 4th July 1996, I was the lucky one who was holding his hands at the time he breathed his last and now I have a feeling that while he was dying he shifted lot of his…

So he died as a man who lived an extremely vibrant life, who enjoyed each and every moment of his life and Alhamdulillah I have a firm belief that In Sha Allah he must be enjoying his heavenly abode “Jannat ul Firdous “because he never hurt any human being and reverted back to religion very strongly in the last 10-15 years of life. He surely lived a life of a successful person and that is quite evident as Masha Allah each and every child of his is not only enjoying a completely successful life but Masha Allah has achieved glories in the life which Allah grants to few thus his task as a father accomplished successfully.

In the last I would like to mention that he always wished that when he would die his funeral should be attended by the ruler of the country. He was buried in Lahore near his mother’s grave not only in the presence of many people but was lucky enough that his funeral was attended by entire family of then Prime minister of Pakistan, Chief Minister of Punjab, many Senators, MNAs and MPAs along with top Government officials and businessmen of Pakistan.

Today it’s his 24th death anniversary and he is not with us physically for last 24 years but I can say it with firm belief that he has never been away from any of his children. He never was and never would be. He along with our mother would always be there in our each and every prayer on all happy and sad occasions and in every decision of ours. We miss both our parents a lot but at the same time are surely happy and contended that they are at a far better place.

We all miss you ISA Abu. Yes we do.

Allah (SWT) aapki maghfarat farmaye aur aap ka shumaar apney behtreen logon main karey.

(Aameen Summa Aameen).

By: ovais asad khan

(Loving Son)

IMPACT OF COVID ON RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

Religious Festivities & Covid-19

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019 the word festivity has literally lost it’s meaning, with its start it took away all international festivities be it Christmas, Chinese new year, Christian new year etc  with deaths, fear and finally lock down. From January 2020 onward it started spreading all over the World slowly but surely and thus casting it’s dark shadows on not only normal life style of the world population but on the religious festivity of entire world without differentiating between any religion or region you belongs to.

This year month of April is one of the busiest months of 2020 for the world’s religions, with major festivals celebrated by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. But with lock downs enforced across much of World to stop the spread of COVID-19, making it very difficult for the followers of all the religions to celebrated their religious rites in an age of social distancing.

In April most of the world’s major religions have festivals involving large gatherings of people. Easter was on 12 April (a week later for Eastern Orthodox churches); Passover begins on 8 April; Rama Navami, an important Hindu festival, was on 2 April; while the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi was a few days later on 13. The Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins around 24 April.

Pandemic corona virus has changed the way many of us go about our daily lives – including how religious festivals are celebrated. Ramadan, one of the most significant religious periods for Muslims started in the last week of April in every Muslim country and is going to last for a month. Eid ul Fitar is the festival that Muslims celebrates at the end of Ramadan, usually sees families and large gatherings come together to celebrate the end of the holy month of fasting and to thank Allah (GOD) for blessing and forgiving them by blessing them the holy month of Ramadan and for giving strength to them to be pious during this holy month.

Beside Eid all other religious events are typically, religious festivals are communal events and families gather to eat, pray and worship together. However, all these celebrations totally looked different this year. As strict lock down measures had been put into place in light of the corona virus pandemic, many communities were concerned about how it will affect their festivities. As Places of worship were closed and gatherings of large groups of people were banned. Thus no communal prayers are permitted until lock down measures are lifted.

With corona virus people while staying indoors for past few weeks has realized  the importance of the close ties that we often take for granted, while time spent in lock down has also provided people the opportunity to catch up with loved ones. It is a time to offer a hand to those who need the help while being grateful to Allah (God) for all that we have and cherish.

Till now so many religious activities were affected by Covid-19. The evening of 8 April is the beginning of Passover, one of the most important religious festivals of the Jewish calendar.

Jewish families and their friends would usually gather together to eat a special meal called a Seder, read religious texts, sing and tell stories. It's a time when Jews remember how Moses led their ancestors out of slavery in Egypt. But with social distancing measures in countries around the world this year Jewish people were not able to invite others to join them for the Seder meal.

On lent , Easter and in Ramadan also same was faced by Christians and Muslims across the globe. However as it’s everywhere and in every religion that some US churches and pastors are ignoring 'stay at home' orders, but for those who are isolating, how can they keep that sense of community at the heart of religious celebrations alive? Surely "It's a bit of a challenge but I think it's also a nice way for us to get closer to God in our own respective homes, even involving the children as well in reading the Bible."

It’s an observed fact that during Ramadan, mosque attendances usually peak, with people crammed against one another. Friday prayers have already been suspended across most of the Muslim world as a protection against this virus. Saudi Arabia has banned overseas visitors since the end of February, meaning those wishing to undertake pilgrimage to the holy sites of Mecca and Medina especially during the month of Ramadan are unable to do so. About 12 million people usually visit Mecca each year, mostly for the hajj, which this year begins on 28 July. However, thousands wishing to perform umrah, a pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of year, have been affected by the ban.

This year the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan has started on 24 April. It is a time to remember the month that the Muslim holy book the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. During this month Muslims abstain from food and water during daylight hours as a way of devoting themselves to their faith and getting closer to Allah. With the sunset in the evening, families and friends get together for the ifftar meal to break the fast. Many people go to the mosque to pray. However this year no such ifftar are seen but interestingly Zoom-based ifftar meals will continue throughout Ramadan, with a live call to prayer every day.

Till the time I am writing this blog religious festivity of followers of each and every religion was effected one way or the other by this virus. But I think that this virus has taught some lessons to the followers of all the religions all over the world and some of them are:

1.    None but Allah (God) is stronger; no matter you belong to a super or a doper power.

2.    Religious activity can be carried out at home too and you don’t have to go to worship places to be religious or to carry out your religious duties.

3.     Being restricted from carrying out your religious rites one learn to respect other religions too and should not bar any from practicing their religion.

4.    Best festivity is with your loved ones and by surrendering to Allah (Lord).

5.    One must have learnt that they can celebrate in simplicity and can share money which they normally spend on their festivity with others who are not that well off.

Thus in the last I won’t say that this virus is a blessing in disguise but I surely believe that its an eye opener for each one of us that we should adhere to the instruction of the creator of this world and should never try to exceed in our way of passing life beyond HIS commands. It also taught us to be kind with each other, value mankind and try to life a simple life and must isolate our self from getting over indulge in materialistic race and all this technological gadgetry as each one of us by now must have realized that nothing but Allah (God) alone will save us from any such pandemic or future disaster.

By: ovais asad khan

POSITIVE SIDE OF COVID-19

21 lessons learnt from covid-19

People keep saying it: everything has changed.

As the number of people affected by corona virus is increasing the world over, its impact on the world economy appears to be devastating. The new decade started out as any other but rapidly unfolded into a scenario that the world will remember for decades to come. As the days spent in our homes blur together and become indistinguishable, outside in the world huge shifts in consciousness are happening.

Amongst other negative things rapid global spread of a novel corona virus has taught us many positive things too that we are all interconnected in terms of our health and well-being. Displaced populations, including refugees and migrants, are often the first to be stigmatized and unjustly blamed for the spread of disease, yet they are also among the most vulnerable people during a pandemic—to both the virus itself and the measures enacted to control it. Substantial disruptions to humanitarian operations have already been reported from the field, thus compromising access to health and other essential services, and the ability to respond to urgent community needs. In the words of one humanitarian worker: “COVID-19 is making the already vulnerable exponentially more vulnerable, and it hasn’t even hit yet.”

In the last one quarter, life has drastically changed around the world. The corona virus outbreak is not just an epidemic, it’s also a global pandemic. People everywhere are being asked to stay home and stay away from others in order to reduce the risk of infection. Corona has brought with it a wave of negative outcomes, terrible illness and death, but it also highlighted some important life lessons.

1. Forego some of your freedom for the greater good of the public

2: Maintaining essential health services is vital.

3: We all have a role to play

4: Access to infection prevention and control measures, testing and treatment for displaced populations is essential to ensure safety for all

5: Whether there’s a virus or not keep washing your hands. 

6: Option of working from home should be now be given more importance.

7: Pandemic control relies on community engagement and trust.

8: Unite behind the science and support each other in human protective sciences.

9: Precaution is better than cure, so taking that sick day could save lives.

10: Doctors and researchers need to be paid better.

11: Keep learning for a better tomorrow & technology should be everyone’s right.

12: Protect the most vulnerable

13: The importance of talking to friends every day

14: Spending time with family again gain its importance, Compassion should come first.

15: Do IT Yourself (DIY) started gaining popularity & reliance on others started decreasing.

16: Everyone should know how to cook, as you never knew when you will be required to.

17: Prioritize your health and well-being., schedule exercise, fitness and walk in your daily routine.

18: Time to become nature’s friend & learn to appreciate nature.

19: Be kind to yourself first as its best time to learn how to be content alone.

20: Hope and keep learning for a better tomorrow

21: Last but not the least builds your faith in god (Allah).

Ultimately, these lessons give us hope. We’re inspired by the actions everyday people are taking to prevent the spread of disease and protect humanity, and we each can do so much more. When we work together, we can root change. 99% of the humanity who will survive this pandemic , this will not be the end. For them, the post-Covid-19 world will bring lasting changes that would have been considered impossible earlier. The virus and state-imposed lockdowns have wrought changes that are not just temporary. They will change the world as we have known it most of our lives. We need to learn from the lessons already arising from the disease and shutdowns, and adopt changes that will take us to a better and consider this Pandemic not as a curse but a blessing in disguise.

As the peak of Covid-19 started dipping in most of the countries of the world, although the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, countries around the world are beginning to consider steps to ease their lock down restrictions. With a return to some form of normality in sight, now may be the best time to look at the lessons we had learned from this crisis and should try to implement them fully in our lives.

Another important thing to mention here is that the post-Covid economy will render several jobs redundant. But it will also create many new. It would create huge demand for online training courses on how to use online portals to provide the best services to clients, whether these are religious or medical or education-related services. Covid has taught us the virtues of virtual space. Let's adopt them to reduce pollution and guard against the next pandemic.

Covid-19 has exposed our political leaders on grand stages, highlighting their aptitude, vulnerabilities, and ineptitudes - not to mention idiocy - on many levels.  We can’t simply blame foreign powers or the virus for our miseries. Our rulers don’t even think about the diseases people suffer from, neither do they do anything substantial to prevent them. We don’t have medicines, neither do we have enough hospitals but we are more interested in war games. Covid-19 will pass, but we must learn the lessons inherent in it, failing which we are heading to doom. Important thing here is will we remove our nationalistic sensibilities and truly co-operate with other political parties, in order to do the best for the health of our country’s citizens.

In the end I would like to rephrase the phrase I started my article with,

People should hope for: everything should change with positivity.

 

By; ovais asad khan