NEWS ALERT!

I am frustrated and saddened by the recent news in Karachi. I need to reflect and vent.

Saturday's torrential rains have claimed more than 30 lives and the death toll is still climbing. This has been the worse rainstorm for 36 or so years now. As mentioned in my earlier blog, these deaths have not only occurred on the roads and in villages but also due to fallen power lines. Karachi has a population of millions living in all different parts of the city. So you can imagine that many of these people are not accounted for, neither are they registered in Pakistan's National Registry system. I can very well bet that there are also deaths not accounted for due to the monsoon.

To make matters worse, last night riots had broken out in Karachi as people were protesting against the K.E.S.C (Karachi Electric Supply Company). The power had not returned to most parts of Karachi for more than 24 hrs, creating frustrated and angry people. Cars and tires were burned. Violence had broken out. My poor friend was stuck in the middle of these protests and as result, he was beaten with sticks. He is fine though, thank God! Obviously frustration against the government has been building for years and the best way that these people know how to release this frustration is through violence. However, by burning down their own city they are only harming themselves. Also, we are all in the same boat-everyone is in the same situation. Instead of hurting each other, why can't we just work with each other? I mean what is the point of hurting innocent people, like my friend here. But I can definitely feel their anger and sympathize with them. Wouldn't you be angry too if you haven't had power, gas and water for more than 24 hours while your government is enjoying their generators?!! Wouldn't you be angry too if water was leaking through your roof, or worse yet your roof had collapsed leaving you homeless while your government was relaxing in their palaces?!! I am not making excuses for anyone but merely trying to understand and appreciate the situation. It is like looking at an onion-from the outside you only see one layer but only when you cut the onion in half do you notice a multitude of issues, perspectives and insights encompassing one situation or event.

What other means do these people have to go against their government than to result to violence when their own government officials suppress freedom of speech and crushes anyone that dare raise their voice or try to act on behalf of their countrymen and women. No wonder civil society is not strong in this part of the world. Sad to say but many people have just given up. And those that haven't given up and actually voice their thoughts....well lets just say that is the last you may ever be heard....Oh and lets not forget the one Karachi city mayor who is hated by every government official but loved by the people of Karachi as he is the only one who cares for the people and does not 'eat their money' like the rest. Why else do you think Karachi and Pakistan as a whole has been experiencing 'brain drain' at an unprecedented level? People's potentials, knowledge and expertise are not being respected nor utilized to its maximum. And so people leave their country for better opportunities elsewhere. Come on Pakistan (the government and its people), open your eyes! You have so much potential and so much to give to the world! Do not give up on yourselves...do not give up on your country!