Poverty

Over the last decade or so, poverty in Pakistan has increased manifold. More than half of its population, which till 1989-90 was living at least a moderate life, if not prosperous, is now living in extremely poor condition,  hardly able to have access even to basic necessities of life. And large chunk of the remaining half is on the brink of poverty. They could fall into poverty any time as their strength to stand against financial and economic pressure is fast depleting.

This wide spread poverty is attributed to the economic decline and the financial prescribed structural adjustments and economic revival program have thrown the nation into the poverty quagmire. Then, ever increasing prices of daily commodities, high inflation rate and devaluation of the currency are making it harder and harder for a poor common man to keep his body and soul together. Inflating bills of electricity, gas and telephone are worrying the people further. Again, socioeconomic inequalities let the benefits instead of trickling down to the poor trickling up to the rich.

"The pleasures of the rich are bought with the tears of the poor."
                                                                       (Thomas Fuller)

Though certain poverty alleviation schemes are afoot, they are to a great extent, cosmetic in nature. The Food support program is estimated to benefit 1.26 million people providing Rs.1984 in a year(Total amount marked is Rs. 2.5 billion)to each person. It tantamount to "A giant will starve on what surfeits a drawl." This does not make any difference, besides the culture of corruption, heavy taxes, unemployment, underemployment, wrong governmental policies, slow socioeconomic progress, debt-servicing, low investment, high imports and low exports, etc, have contributed much in increasing poverty level in the country.

Poverty has strained the social fabric of the society. Standard of living of the people is falling down rapidly. Being unable to the lift the heavy burden of life on their financially weak shoulders, more and more people are committing suicide. Poverty is also taking the heavy toll of their health and morality. More and more poverty-stricken people indulging in crimes and social evils. Beggary and prostitution are on the rise. The serve is the case with corruption, bribery, thefts and dacoities. Besides, poverty has deprived the people of mental peace as well as of comforts of life.

Kalabagh Dam

Kalabagh dam located area
 

Having remained in the cold storage for so many years. Kalabagh Dam is once again in the limelight. It has become crystal clear to all and sundry that the construction of this mega project is inevitable not only for the progress and prosperity but also for the future water requirements of Pakistan. As this project has always met severe criticism, no government could initiate its construction although all the feasible reports and surveys okay ed this project. The present government with its vow to construct Kalabagh and Bhasha dams all costs, has seemingly opened a new Pandora's box. Let us wait and see which way the wind
blows.

The proposed site for Kalabagh is 15 miles above Kalabagh city on the Indus river, with the reservoir in the NWFP and the dam in the Punjab. It would be 11,000 feet long and 260 feet above river bed. Its storage capacity would be 6.1 million acre feet. The total land consumed would be 35000 acres. Punjab sharing 27500 and NWFP 7500 acres respectively.

The need for mega dams like Kalabagh and Bhasha has increased all the more as per future water requirements of Pakistan. First, out of the 140 MAF water flowing annually in the river Indus, only 107 MAF is consumed for irrigation while the rest (33 MAF) goes to drain. By harnessing this water, we can not only generate abundant electricity but also meet our water demands during dry season. Second, the present reservoirs like Terbela, Mangla and war sake are constantly losing their capacity, strength and age due to desalting and unusual wear and tear. Hence, we need new mega dams. Third the small dams are cost effective, short-lived and flood-prone while mega dams like Kalabagh are low cost-effective, long lasting and flood proof.

 Diamer Bhasha dam

Cable Network

As a source if communication, Cable system is comparatively a new entrant in Pakistan. But in a very short time, it has left behind all traditional systems of communication like newspaper, radio and television. Now more and more people are using cable system. Basically, cable system works like a mini T.V station. It receives program  from different satellites and redistributes them among its subscribers through a cable. The subscriber, thus, has an access to a large number of T.V program telecast from the four corners of the world.

Cable system has taken the whole of Pakistan by storm. There are many cable service station in every city of the country. More and more people are installing this system. However, mixed reaction is shown about its use. Religious minded people call it a means of obscenity and immorality. They want to put an end to it at the earliest. On the other hand, people with modern bent of mind welcome and admire it as a source of vast information and entertainment.

There are many advantages of cable system. First, it is , no doubt, a source of vast information and entertainment. Secondly, it helps in getting impartial and correct news in a country where media are often under the thumb of the government. Thirdly, it introduces a person to the ways of living, religions, traditions, politics, economy, etc. of different parts of the world. This can bring about a number of positive changes in his mode of living and thinking. Fourthly, it is paving the way for global village and universal brotherhood by bringing the nations and countries closer to one another. Fifth,barring absence program, entertaining and informative program have their own charm and benefit for a person. Above all, it is promoting and expanding travel, trade, commerce and industry throughout the world.

USES AND ABUSES OF INTERNET

In the fast growing world of communication, internet is comparatively a new entrant but it has brought about a great revolution in the field if communication. In a very short span of time, it has linked together the whole world. In simple terms, internet means the connection of a large number of computers with one another. Now, through internet, almost all the computers of the world are interconnected with one another. Seen in this context, internet has transformed the world into a global village in real terms.

Internet is replete with countless advantages. It has made poosible man's access to countless websites, informative programmes, scientific discoveries, global, political, social, economic and cultural developments, world events and happenings, great libraries, treasures of knowledage, vast informationand entertainment and much more. Then, internet is proving a low-cost source of chatting, communication and scholars; a doctor can learn about advancement in medicines and surgery; an adventure can explore the remote corners of the world, a job-seeker can observe job-advertisements and an ambitious person can find his lifepartner also.

unfortunately, the wrong and corrupt use of internet has also made it a great curse and nuisance. Many people use internet for vulgar chatting, nude films and immoral programmes, there is a mushroom growth of Net-Cafes and computer-centers where in spacially designed private cabines alongwith young boys and girls, alderly people and small children too are seen busy in doing vulgar chatting and watching immoral programmes. This thing not only destroys their moral character but also wastes most of their precious time. Moreover, it is playing havoc with all our religion, social, moraland cultural values. Then, internet is used to spread disinformation rumors sensational news, poisonous propaganda and computer virus. All this causes
a large-scale harm. As internet has confined the to four-walls, healthful activities like sports, games, social gathering, cultural activities, sharing of feelings, etc are vanishing away rapidly.