Environmental Issues of Pakistan

Chief Editor

Environmental issues in Pakistan have been disturbing the balance between economic development and environmental protection. As a great problem for the nature and nation of Pakistan and As Pakistan is a large importer of both exhaustible and renewable natural resources and a large consumer of fossil fuels, the Ministry of Environment of Government of Pakistan takes responsibility to conserve and protect the environment.

We should definitely like to see Pakistan without any environmental issue but currently there are lots of challenges. As in fact we are growing at the rate of more than 8 percent in GDP and creating lots of economic opportunities, this is also growing stress and implications on environment. The constant growth in population is another massive challenge. As we grow economically, we have to decide at this point in time that we ensure better quality of life. At the end of the day, when we have more money but our quality of life suffers and we can’t breathe and drink pure water; then it is not worth it.

A number of serious environmental problems are inherent in the country, which are of great ecological concern in terms of its sustainable economic future. These include soil erosion, pesticide misuse, deforestation, desertification, urban pollution, water logging & salinity, freshwater pollution and marine water pollution, just to name a few. The major constraint to overcoming these problems, in-fact perhaps the main contributor to their intensity is the population growth, which is very high in contrast to the natural limited resources that are available to the people. Also included in the constraints is the unsustainable use and management of these resources. Around 140 million people live in this country, making it the seventh most populous country in the world. The rate of population growth is one of the fastest and according to estimates it would double in just 25 years (UNDP 1997). What is obvious from this is, if the population continues to grow at this rate, it would take a severe toll in the environment. The reason being that the country is not endowed with the resources required sustaining a huge population. Although it is primarily an agricultural country, the landscape is predominantly arid. Water, already a scarce commodity in most parts of the country, is now facing further shortages. This is also due in part to inadequate distribution and the coercion of the water-tanker mafia. This shortage is hindering the country's potential to develop agriculture. There are limited indigenous sources of energy, fossil fuel reserves are low and there is no great potential in the biomass energy.

The combination of a large population and poor resource environment means that judicious means of energy use and minimum waste systems of production as well as lifestyles must be employed for sustainable development. The picture in Pakistan is however very different in fact totally opposite to this. Energy use is excessively inefficient; Pakistan's GDP per unit energy used is 4.0, which ranks it 69th out of 110 countries for which data is available .  (UNDP). This waste of energy is combined with the need to import fossil fuels and as a consequence there is a very low productive per capita use of energy.

Environmental issues

Current issues: Water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification.  Little attention was paid to pollution .Some are these Related concerns, such as sanitation and potable water, received earlier scrutiny. In 1987 only about 6 percent of rural residents and 51 percent of urban residents had access to sanitary facilities; a Greater success has been achieved in bringing potable water within reach of the people; nearly half the population enjoyed such access by 1990. However, researchers at the Pakistan Medical Research Council, recognizing that a large proportion of diseases in Pakistan are caused by the consumption of polluted water, have been questioning the "safe" classification in use in the 1990s. Even the 38 percent of the population that receives its water through pipelines runs the risk of consuming seriously contaminated water, although the problem varies by area. In Punjab, for example, as much as 90 percent of drinking water comes from groundwater, as compared with only 9 percent in Sindh.

The central government's Perspective Plan (1988–2003) and previous five-year plans do not mention sustainable development strategies. Further, there have been no overarching policies focused on sustainable development and conservation. The state has focused on achieving self-sufficiency in food production, meeting energy demands, and containing the high rate of population growth, not on curtailing pollution or other environmental hazards.

In 1992 Pakistan's National Conservation Strategy Report attempted to redress the previous inattention to the nation's mounting environmental problem. Drawing on the expertise of more than 3,000 people from a wide array of political affiliations, the government produced a document outlining the current state of environmental health, its sustainable goals, and viable program options for the future.

Environmental affects

Impacts on health

The poor cannot deal with the impacts of a degraded environment. Their habitats are environmentally vulnerable and they do not have access to many facilities. As a result they are prone to diseases because they reside in low-income houses usually in industrial areas and have little choice in the quality of their nutritional intake. This increases their vulnerability to diseases, which they do not have the capacity to treat. They have minimum access to health services and spend long hours in polluted work places (factories) or work as unskilled labour. In the rural areas also, the poor usually work as labour on somebody else's farm and the incessant use of pesticides and fertilizers increases their exposure to health risks.

Degradation of the urban environment

Urban growth is estimated to be 4.6% per annum. This is mainly a consequence of the high rate of rural-urban migration that contributes to the rapid decay of urban environment. Estimates indicate that 6 million (16%) people are unemployed and this is expected to increase by 500,000 annually. The increase in population, unemployment, and pressure on agricultural lands means migration to urban areas.

The migrants usually are poor and are forced to live in urban slums. Out of the total population 45% of the people in Sindh and 50% in Punjab live in one-room houses. They often are not linked to water supplies and sanitation. The reason is their lack of financial resources and the administration does not provide these because that might give them legal status. They also do not invest in their residences as they either do not have the money or are afraid of being evicted.

When the utility services are not available, unhealthy practices are adopted. Waste is dumped out in the open and becomes a source of water contamination.

HEALTH ISSUES

Water contamination causes serious problems and water supply standards set by WHO are rarely met (SDPI 1995). 50% of the population has access to piped water (Dr. Mehboob Ul Haq - 1997) and the rural water supply coverage in 1997-98 was 90% according to an appraisal done by the World Bank (Human Development Index, 2003). However this did not take into account the private sector's provision of potable water. The surveys by UNICEF/Ministry of Health, give different indications. In the 1995 survey by UNICEF (Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey), it was revealed that 17% of the rural households have piped water and 52% had family hand pumps (Social Development in Pakistan, 1999).

Water quality is deteriorating due to biological contamination from human waste, chemical pollutants from industries and agricultural inputs, salinity and siltation. Piped water also gets contaminated because pipes are laid very close to sewerage lines or open drains and chemicals like chlorine, which is mixed to kill bacteria, corrode the supply lines. 62% (UNDP) or 33% (Haq, 1997) of the people have access to sanitation and only 55% to health services. (Haq 1997, UNDP 1997). In the HDI it is reported that approximately 65% of Pakistan's population has access to essential medicine. 45% of infant deaths have been attributed to diarrhea and 60% to overall infectious waterborne diseases. 25-30% of the diseases are gastro-intestinal in nature (WHO).

Infant Deaths

Rate

During first four weeks of life

57%

First six months

two-thirds

Before first year

One in ten

Under five

137/1000

Message for the youth

This environmental movement is your movement and we can fight environment degradation through a movement because of the young people of Pakistan. If we want to make a better Pakistan for upcoming generation, youngsters, both male/female, should take part actively and learn about the environmental issues and try to tackle the problems. One of the best solutions to the environment is to change our bad habits of wastage of water, electricity and dispersal of garbage etc.

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Women Empowerment in Pakistan

Chief Editor

Quaid-e-Azam said in a speech in 1944, “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you; we are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners.”

The lives of Pakistani women have changed during the past 30 years and they are more empowered and emancipated then they were ever before. More and more women are entering the workforce today as their predecessors, who made the first time at the work place and also made life easier for other women, lent them the encouragement to do so. But still women are facing many problems and discrimination and also harassment in work force.

Women empowerment refers to the ability of women to transform economic and social development when empowered to fully participate in the decisions that affect their lives through leadership, training, coaching consulting and the provision of enabling tools for women to lead within their communities, religions and countries.

Women empowerment generally has three components. firstly, women's sense of self worth. secondly, their rights to have a power of control their own lives ,both within and outside home. lastly, their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a just social and economic order nationally, internationally and universally.

Empowerment has multiple, interrelated and interdependent dimensions: economic, social, personal and political dimensions. Economic empowerment means to empower women economically by giving her rights of properties. lands, financial responsibilities, adequate shares in jobs, business opportunities etc. In social dimensions, it means women's social status should be equal to that of man by avoiding all discriminations based on injustice and inequality. accordingly the women are required to have respectable status in society, importunity to raise voice, struggle etc. Politically, women should be empowered by reserving their seats in national as well as provincial assemblies and providing their independent right of one woman one vote. Personally, they should be given equal liberty and freedom in their personal affairs, such as ,in case of marriage, vocational pursuit etc .As a whole, women empowerment aims at providing women with their social, economic, political and personal rights.

Legal aspect

Let's take a look at various laws or bill passed regarding women in Pakistan.

The Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act (2010)

The objective of this Act is to create a safe working environment for women, which is free of harassment, abuse and intimidation with a view to fulfilling their right to work with dignity. Harassment is one of the biggest hurdles faced by the working women preventing others who want to work to bring themselves and their families out of poverty. This Act will pave the way for women to participate more fully in the development of the country. This Act builds on the principles of equal opportunity to women and their right to earn a livelihood without any fear of discrimination as stipulated in the Constitution. This Act complies with the government's commitment to high international labour standards and empowerment of women. It also adheres to the Human Rights Declaration, the United Nations Convention for Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and ILO's Convention 100 and 111 on workers' rights. It adheres to the principles of Islam and all other religions which assure women's dignity.

This Act requires all public and private organizations to adopt an internal code of conduct and a complain/appeals mechanism aimed at establishing a safe working environment for all working women.

Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (2008)

The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill was passed unanimously by the National Assembly on August 4, 2009, but the bill lapsed after the Senate failed to pass it within the three months period required under the Constitution.

Legislators from both opposition and government parties told Human Rights Watch (HRW) that even though President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani supported the bill, it was delayed by unofficial opposition from some ministers.

The Domestic Violence bill seeks to prevent violence against women and children with a network of protection committees and protection officers and prompt trials of suspected abusers.

The measure makes sexual harassment or intimidation punishable by three years in prison, a 500,000 rupee fine, or both. The bill includes protection in public places such as markets, public transport, streets or parks, and more private places, such as workplaces, private gatherings, and homes.

Hudood Ordinance (1979)

The Hudood Ordinance was enacted in 1979 as part of General Muhammad Ziaul Haq's Islamisation and replaced or revised in 2006 by the Women's Protection Bill. The Hudood Law was intended to implement Sharia law, by enforcing punishments mentioned in the Holy Quran and Sunnah for zina, qazf, offence against property, and drinking. As for zina, a woman alleging rape is required to provide four adult male eyewitnesses. The ordinance has been criticised as leading to hundreds of incidents where a woman subjected to rape, or even gang rape, was eventually accused of zina and imprisoned becoming a victim of extremely unjust propaganda.

In 2006, then President Pervez Musharraf again proposed reforms in the ordinance. On November 15, 2006, the Women's Protection Bill was passed by the NA, allowing rape to be prosecutable under civil law. The bill was ratified by the Senate on November 23, 2006, and became law after President Musharraf signed it on December 1, 2006.

Religious aspect

In Islam the importance of women and their success as human beings, is measured with completely different criteria: their fear of Allah and obedience to Him, and fulfillment of the duties He has entrusted them with, particularly that of bearing, rearing and teaching children.

Nevertheless, Islam is a practical religion, and responds to human needs and life situations. Many women need, or wish, to work for various reasons. For example, they may possess a needed skill, such as a teacher or a doctor. While Islam does not prohibit women working outside her home, it does stipulate that the following restrictions be followed to protect the dignity and honour of women and the purity and stability of the Islamic society, the conduct of women, after all, is the backbone of any society:

Political aspect

The political representation of women in Pakistan is higher than India, Sri Lanka and Iran. Pakistan is listed as 45th in the Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) list of women in national parliaments and stood ahead of several developed democracies, including Canada, the UK and the US. The only positive development thus far has remained the relatively large representation of women in the National Assembly, the Senate and provincial assemblies in comparison to other countries. Of the 342 seats in the NA, women now comprise 22.2 per cent of those seats. In the Senate, women make up 17 per cent of the parliamentary seats. This indeed is significant departure from the past considering that women are often discouraged from entering politics. Pakistan is also one of the 30 countries which have a woman as Speaker of the National Assembly.

The political growth of a country requires both male and female participation in the government affairs. Women representation in the government ensures that work is done for the overall good of the woman folk. However, the woman participation in the state structure calls for responsibility on the part of women and requires them with intellect taking up the posts instead of women who have been selected by their male counterparts.

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Technology making us more dependent on its usage

We are technology slave. 

Chief Editor

 Application of knowledge to the practical aims of human life, or to changing and manipulating the human environment. Technology includes the use of materials, tools, techniques, and sources of power to make life easier or more pleasant and work more productive. Whereas science is concerned with how and why things happen, technology focuses on making things happen. Technology began to influence human Endeavour as soon as people began using tools. It accelerated with the Industrial Revolution and the substitution of machines for animal and human labour. Accelerated technological development has also had costs, in terms of air and water pollution and other undesirable environmental effects. We are living in a society which is called "technologically civilized" society. Every small work we do is technology dependent. Today every other person is recognized with the device or gadget, he carries; which is technically advanced. Ultimately, we can say that,"living without technology is like living without air" in this technical world of today. Therefore, we are much dependent on technology. Technology is in everything and everywhere. It's in your house, your school, in stores, and even at the park. It's in your shower, in your sprinklers, in your ceiling fans and of course in your iPods, T.V.'s, computers and laptops and smart phones. We use some form of technology in almost everything we do, yet we've never noticed. You cook on a stove, right? Warm up something in the microwave? You have both a cold and a hot water tap. You drive or ride in a car, don't you? Technology is all around us. Technology has replaced things like books and magazines. It's also replaced CDs, tapes, and records. Heck, it's even replaced tape and glue! Now, everything is done digitally. Even shopping! Technology made our lives simple but much dependent on it. We can sit in a corner and get connected to the world. Thus making the world a "global community." Communicate with a person in remote area within fraction of seconds; make a trip of the world within no time, all these are possible with the advanced technology, making us more dependent on its usage. Throughout history, technological innovations have helped humankind improve their standards of living, beginning with the simple invention of bone tools of prehistoric times, continuing on to and beyond modern air conditioners, automobiles, and super computers. Nowadays, when the rapidness of development and research is so impressive, it is easy to think about the advantages of modern technology. In today's world, where just about everything is more convenient and accessible due to advances in technology across almost all sectors, it may seem as though it's a misnomer to even mention any disadvantages of technological advances. However, despite how far technology has taken humans and no matter how convenient it may make things, there are some disadvantages accompanying this level of access. Positive effects of technology: Technology advances show people a more efficient way to do things, and these processes get results. For example, education has been greatly advanced by the technological advances of computers. Students are able to learn on a global scale without ever leaving their classrooms. Agricultural processes that once required dozens upon dozens of human workers can now be automated, thanks to advances in technology, which means cost-efficiency for farmers. Medical discoveries occur at a much more rapid rate, thanks to machines and computers that aid in the research process and allow for more intense educational research into medical matters. Modern technology has solved many problems that people face and play an important role in the development of many countries. Modern technologies create many kinds of products - computers, cloning technology, and video games etc.. Technology today has made life better and quicker In our modern society, people can't see themselves without computers, cell phones, voice mail...etc... As we look at technologies, questions are risen. The Technological progress make our society more convenient and safe. Making impossible things possible are similar features of the change which previous people have experienced by social change, like shifting from a hunting society to an agricultural society and establishing a commercial society due to the invention of new tools. To consider these advantages and change of society, modern technology, which we use today, might be not only a new tool but also the tool, which makes a dramatic change in history. However, the contribution of modern technology to society should not be eliminated and should be distributed evenly. Negative effects of technology The more advanced society becomes technologically, the more people begin to depend on computers and other forms of technology for everyday existence. This means that when a machine breaks or a computer crashes, humans become almost disabled until the problem is resolved. This kind of dependency on technology puts people at a distinct disadvantage, because they become less self-reliant. We are becoming too dependent on technology. People losing their jobs, the difference in people’s writing and socially awkwardness from others. People lose jobs because there is a machine that does the same as an employee, Socially awkwardness is from twitter and Facebook. People barely use the telephone anymore to speak to their friends and family. We are becoming more and more isolated as well as dependent on technology to take care of our inconveniences. When in reality, people don't see that what is convenient, may be or become too convenient. Today , we don't find even a single young kid without using the available technology to him/her. Technology made us dependent on it and we can't expect or imagine a life without using the word "technology" in it .Hence, technology plays a major role in our lives. Well I believe that Technology is like a coin which has both positive and negative sides. We are the deciders and we have to choose how to use it. The usage of technology for over exploitation of resources should be always avoided. If we use it for positive things, it will have positive effect of our lives and vice versa. Nobody would oppose the development of technologies in any sector but the developments should be in a positive way and they should not have any negative impact on present or future generations.

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Women Rights In Pakistan

(Zaheer Ud Din Qureshi, Muzaffarabad)

 

               

Women In Pakistan Have Always Been Subject To Stringent Behavioral Controls Due To Religio-Cultural Reasons. Especially Since Islamization Campaign By Zia Regime (1977-88) ‘Women Regulation’ Has Been A Central Conflict Point Between Conservatives And Liberals. Usually Governments In Pakistan Have Been Reluctant To Take Any Clear Ideological Position On Women Right Issues. Policy Makers Would At Best Try Not To Take Any Decision By What Bacharach And Baratz (1963) Call “The Mobilization Of Bias”. The Most Important Reason For This Non-Decision Has Been The Perceived Influence Of Religion And Religious Parties Over Masses. However Present Government Of Pakistan Has Adopted A Very Progressive Stance On Women Right Issues. A Comprehensive National Policy For Development And Empowerment Of Women Is Announced By The President Of Pakistan In September, 2002. A National Action Plan For Achieving The Proclaimed Objectives Of The Policy Is Also Adopted. Some Important Decisions Taken In This Particular Policy Area As Reservation Of 17 Percent Of Seats In Parliament And 33 Percent Of Seats In Local Bodies For Women, Reservation Of 05 Percent Quota In All Government Jobs And 10 Percent Quota In Central Superior Services, Ratification Of Convention On Elimination Of Discrimination Against Women, Passing Law Against Honor Killing In 2005, Establishment Of District Resource Centers For Women Etc Are Of Far Reaching Consequence. Present Essay Will Look Into Reasons For These Radical Changes. The Following Section Will Recognize Contributions By Different Policy Actors In Evolution Of Women Rights In Pakistan. The Next Section Will Look Into Rationale For Changing Behavior Of Important Policy Actors. In The End I Will Try To Relate This Policy Adoption Process To Some Of The Prevalent Theories. The Essay Contends That The Convergence Of Political And Ideological Needs Of The Rulers Have Made This Policy Choice The Ultimate Choice.

 

Contributions By Different Political Actors

Specific Reform Initiatives Do Not Emerge In A Void, Nor Are They Decided Upon In Isolation From The Pre-Existing Perceptions, Experiences And Values Of Policy Elites. Infact, The Broader Context Within Which Particular Reforms Are Considered Provides Insight Into The Choices That Are Made And Processes Through Which Change Is Pursued (Grindle Et Al 1991). Similarly The Present Policy Reforms Have Emerged Through A Long Process And By Complex Interaction Between Different Political Actors. To Better Understand This Process And Parts Played By Different Actors And Factors It Is Pertinent To Understand The Institutional Structure And Relative Importance Of Organizations In Policy Community.

 

 

The Constitution Of Pakistan Describes Pakistan As A ‘Democratic Republic ’ In Which Authority Of State Rests On Three Pillars; The Executive, The Legislature And The Judiciary. Policy Formulation Traditionally Is Prerogative Of Executive. Other Two Pillars Only Have An Indirect Role In Policy Formulation. Pakistan’s Special Political System As It Stands Today Gives Added Influence To Executive In Decision Making. Pakistan At Present Has Its Own Kind Of ‘Dual System ’ In Which Both The President And The Prime Minister Are Elected By Elected Assemblies And Assemblies Also Have Power To Impeach Them. But The President-Cum-Army Chief Also Has The Power To Dissolve The Cabinet And The Parliament.

 

Contribution By Executive :

Policy Formulation In Pakistan Is Dominated By Executive Institutions. Most Of The Time Policy Proposals Are Initiated By Government Departments. In Order To Co-Opt Other Stake- Holder It Is Common To Formulate Committees Consisting Of All Stakeholders. Inputs By These Committees Are Fine Tuned In Departments And Ministries And Then Presented To The Cabinet. Military Bureaucracy Represents The Liberal British Traditions. Military Governments With Only Exception Of Zia Regime (1977-88) Have Always Co-Opted Secular And Liberal Elements In The Society. First Military Ruler General Ayub (1958-1969) Introduced Family Laws In 1961 Which “Enhanced Space- If Not Actual Rights-With In The Family” (Shaheed 1998). This Law Enabled Women To Inherit Agricultural Property. Second Marriage Was Made Contingent Upon Agreement By First Wife, Divorce Was Made Difficult And Compulsory Registration Of Marriages Was Introduced. Second Military Ruler Yahiya Khan’s (1969-71) Short Period Of Rule Was Marred By Political Struggles Of Worst Kind. However His Electoral Reforms Gave Equal Rights To Women. General Musharaf (Present Ruler) Also Has Co-Opted The Liberal Forces. He Is A Proclaimed Liberal And Great Proponent Of Women Rights.

 

 

Fourth Military Ruler Zia –Ul- Haq (1977-88) Is Known For His Conservative Leanings. His Era Is Regarded As Retrogressive For Women Rights. Hudood Laws Passed During His Period Still Are Cause Of Concern For Women Right Activists In Pakistan. However This Era Also Saw Some Significant Steps Towards Realization Of Women Rights. A New Women’s Division Was Established In 1979 At The Cabinet Secretariat Level. Most Importantly His Rule Saw An Unprecedented Inclusion Of Females In Work Force. This Is Particularly Important For Its After Affects On Changing The Status Of Women In The Family And Society.

Cabinet And Civil Bureaucracy Also Have Important Role In Decision Making. They Do Play A Role In Initiation And Evolution Of Policy Proposals. Political And Bureaucratic Elites Of Pakistan Also Like Military Elite Are Secular And Liberal. Especially In Context Of Our Particular Policy Area Role Of Civil Bureaucracy Is Important. As Pointed Out By Rouse (1986) The Early Rise Of Feminist Movements Was Made Possible By The Fact That Wives Of Many Of Prominent Civil Servants Actively Joined These Movements.

Among Other Institutions Of Executive The Role Of The Ministry Of Women Development And Its Subsidiary Organizations As Commission On Status Of Women Is Mentionable For Their Policy Inputs. Especially The Commission’s Reports Are Important For Demanding Increased Quota For Women In Government Jobs .

Policy Inputs By National Reconstruction Bureau Are Also Important. Legal Framework Order (2002) And Local Government Ordinance (2001) Which Enhanced Women Representation In Elected Institutions Were Proposed By This Institution.

 

Contribution By Legislature :

Legislature Is The Supreme Policy Institution In Any Democratic System. Legislature Is Supreme In Pakistan Too. An Important Reason For Subsidiary Role By The Legislature Is Lack Of Experience In Managing Government Affairs And Low Level Of Education As Compared To Civil-Military Bureaucracy.

In Particular Context Of Under Discussion Policy The Legislature Has Obliged The Executive In Providing The Necessary Support For Its Constitutional Proposals. Especially Mentionable Is The Seventeenth Amendment Bill Passed By The Parliament On 31 December, 2003 Which Legitimized All The Steps Taken By The Executive.

 

Contribution By Judiciary :

Judiciary As The Ultimate Interpreter Of Law Has An Indirect But Important Role In Policy Formulation. Judiciary In Pakistan Has The Powers Of Judicial Review. With Reference To Our Special Policy Area The Higher Courts Of Pakistan Have Always Upheld Liberal Egalitarian Views. For Example The Higher Courts In Pakistan Have Been Instrumental In Establishing The Right Of Adult Muslim Women To Choose A Spouse At Their Free Will. Some Important Cases In This Regard Are Abdul Waheed V Asma Jahangir Mehmood (1997), Humaira Mehmood V State(1999) Etc. On The Recent Issue Of ‘Honor Killing’ Courts Of Pakistan Have Taken A Very Egalitarian View Of Islam. One Important Case In This Regard Is Muhammad Siddique V State (2001) .

 

Contribution By Interest Groups :

Role Of Interest Groups Is Not As Institutionalized In Developing Countries As In Developed Democracies. But Groups Certainly Exist And Influence Policy Outcomes. In Our Particular Policy Area Role Of Women “Lobby-Cum Pressure Groups ” Is Very Important. Women Played A Very Active Role In Pakistan Movement. After Creation Of Pakistan, However, Women Organization Such As All Pakistan Women Association (APWA) Restricted Themselves To Charitable And Welfare Activities. Women Activism Truly Rose To Prominence During Zia's Period Mainly As Reaction To His Islamization Campaign. Women Action Forum Was Established In September, 1981 To Protest Against Hudood Laws. The Forum Actively Opposed The Law As Discriminatory Against Women. Over The Years These Women Groups Have Assumed The Character Of Women Right ‘Issue Movements’ . Due To Their Consistent Efforts These Women Groups Are Able To Put Women Agenda On Political Spectrum. By Now No Political Party Manifesto Is Complete Without Mention Of Women Rights. Another Important Contribution Of These Groups Is The Issuance Of Public Discourse On The Issues Which Hitherto Were Taboos.

During Musharaf Regime All These Groups Have Become Insiders. Hence Their Role In Present Policy Changes Is Very Important. This Is Unique Opportunity For The Groups To Advance Their Agenda. Prominent Women Activists As Shaheen Sardar Ali, Zubeda Jalal, Attya Anyatullah Etc Joined The Government As Ministers And Advisors. Shaheen Was Also The Founder Chairperson Of National Commission On Status Of Women.

 

Contribution By Human Rights Groups :

Women Right Has Been An Area Of Continuous Concern For Human Right Groups Like Human Rights Commission Of Pakistan. Infact Human Right Groups And Women Issue Movement Have Been Partners In Their Struggle Against Socio-Cultural Tyrannies. Recently Both Have Come Visibly Close To Promote The Democratic And Human Rights Of Citizens Of Pakistan. Their Close Relationship Is Manifested By The Fact One Prominent Women Right Activist; Asma Jahangir Is Now Heading Human Rights Commission Of Pakistan.

 

Contribution By Political Parties :

Political Parties In Pakistan Can Be Broadly Divided In To Two Categories: Main Stream Parties As Pakistan Peoples Party And Pakistan Muslin League Etc And Religious Parties.

 

 

Among The Main Stream Parties Pakistan Peoples Party Is Known For Its Liberal Approach Especially Towards Women Right Issues. The Constitution Of 1973 Passed During First Government Of The Party Guarantees Equal Civil And Political Rights To Women. Fundamental Rights (Articles 8-28) Given By This Constitution Guarantee The Equality Of All Citizens Before The Law And Forbid Discrimination On Basis Of Sex. Whenever This Party Comes To Power Women Right Activists Become Insiders As Happened During Benazir Bhutto’s Governments (1988-90 & 1993-1996). Women Activists Joined The Government. Policy Of Opposition Changed To Dialogue And Engagement. Women Activists Were Now Members Of Advisory Comities And Working Groups, And They Wrote Policy Papers And Reports. Advocacy Continued In This New Form. Feminist Made International Alliances, Through UN Conferences And Global Networks (Mumtaz 2005). Important Steps Taken During Benazir’s Governments Include Establishment Of A Women Bank, Women Welfare Programs In Health And Education And Many Symbolic Steps Like Release Of Women Prisoners Etc. Presently Party Is Out Of Power But Individual Legislators Of The Party Are Active In Initiating And Supporting Pro-Women Legislations.

 

 

Pakistan Muslim League Is Divided Into Many Factions. The Faction Known As Quid-E-Azam League Is Presently In Power Supporting General Musharaf. It Can Claim Credit For Present Reforms. In Practice It Is Prepared To Do Whatever Suits The Interests Of Real Politick.

 

 

Religious Political Parties Represent The Right Position On Women Right Issue. There Are Different Shades Of Opinion On The Issue Among These Parties Too. It Is Important To Note That All These Parties Have Their Women Wings And Profess To Work For Women Rights. However Their Concepts Of Rights Of Women May Not Always Be In Line With Liberal View. These Parties Presently Are In Power In One Of The Provinces (NWFP) Of Pakistan. They Have Established A Separate Female University In The Province. As A General Rule These Parties Have Reservation On Encouraging Mixing Of Sexes And Exposure Of Women. The Perceived Strength Of These Parties Has Always Been A Determining Factor In Women Right Issues. Especially Under Zia These Parties Became Insiders And Were Instrumental In Passing Such Laws As Hudood Ordinance, Vehemently Opposed By Women Groups. In The Context Of Present Policy Changes These Parties Have Minimal Role. Infact Their Opposition May Have Negatively Contributed To These Policy Choices.

 

After Discussing The Role Of Different Political Institutions In Policy Area Of Women Rights, It Is Pertinent To Look Into Rationale For Their Political Behavior. There Are A Number Of Both National And International Factors Which Have Contributed To Present Policy Choice. In Countries Like Pakistan International Factors Sometimes Become More Important Than The Domestic Factors. International Factors Have Influenced Under Discussion Policy Developments In Pakistan In Many Ways. Some Steps Like Ratification Of CEDAW Are Result Of These Commitments (Mullally 2005). Moreover Women Rights Are An Area Of Concern For International Donors. To Co-Opt Donors Is Always An Important Concern For Policy Makers In Developing Countries.

 

 

At Least Two Important Domestic Factors Also Have Contributed To The Policy Choice. Firstly Secular And Liberal Elements In Country Are Seeing This Government As Chance To Promote Their Agenda. Secondly It Serves The Purpose Of Dividing The Political Opposition To This Government. One Major Political Party, Pakistan Peoples Party Is Known For Its Liberal Approach. Public Choice Theory Best Explains Present Developments In Pakistan. Two Basic Assumptions Of Theory Are Self Interest And Rationality. The Liberal Stance Provides The Maximum Utility Hence It Is Rational For Government To Choose Such A Policy. The Political Behavior Of Other Institutions Of Executive, The Cabinet And Civilian Bureaucracy Can Be Explained On The Same Line Of Reasoning. Kingdon (1984) Is Right In Emphasizing The Complex Nature Of Policy Choices. Role Of Ideologies Of Political Actor And Their Interest Is Equally Important. Pervaiz Mushraf Himself And His Army Are Known For Their Liberal Approach . These Far Reaching Policy Changes Also Represent Musharf’s Reforming Zeal. He Claims To Become Ata Turk Of Pakistan . Ata Turk Was Key Figure In Promoting Westernization Of Turkey. Right After His Seizure Of Power Musharaf Set Up A National Reconstruction Bureau To Overhaul Country’s System.

 

 

Women Rights Movements In Pakistan Generally Have Followed A ‘Two Steps Forward, One Step Back’ Path (Mumtaz Et Al 1987). As Such Incrementalism May Be The Best Policy To Describe Evolution Of Women Rights In Pakistan. But Incrementalism Is Not Good At Describing Radical Changes As Are Introduced By The Present Regime. However Before Looking Any Further Into The Subject It Is Important To Note That Most Of The Theories About The Policy Processes Are Developed In The Context Of Modern Democratic Societies Of The West. These Theories See Policy Formulation Mainly As A National Phenomenon Whereas For Developing Countries Like Pakistan International Factors Are More Important. Globalization Has Left Developing Countries With Very Limited Policy Options. Policy Transfers Both By ‘Lesson Drawing ’ And ‘Lesson Teaching ’ Are On Increase. Policy Communities Have Assumed An International Character. If Davis Et Al‘S (1993) ‘Garbage Can’ Or Kingdon’s ‘Short List Of Ideas’ Can Be Expanded To Include Ideas And Policies Present At International Forums Then Most Of Policy Proposals Adopted In Pakistan Were Already Present In This International Garbage Can. Moreover Almost All Of The Theories About Policy Processes Are Concerned With Evolution Of Ideas Into Policy Proposals. In Our Case The Interplay Of Factors Which Have Lead To Adoption Of These Policies Is More Important Than The Process Of Emergence Of Ideas. In This Sense Neville’s Framework Best Explains The Process Of Adoption Of Under Discussion Policies. According To Neville (2002) Four Key Factors, Institutional Arrangement, Interests Of Key Players, Ideology Of Key Players And Social And Economic Forces, Guide The Process Of Policy Adoption. Our Discussion Above Makes It Clear That In Present Day Institutional Arrangement In Pakistan Liberal Approach On Women Rights Best Suits To Interests Of The Country, Hence It Is Adopted.

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