Karachi Airport

As suggested in the caption of this blog, the scope of this blog is not restricted to the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui but seeks to cover all implications of respecting the law for a safer world. The following post from my friend and activist Naeem Sadiq moved me very much and I am sharing it here along with the picture he has sent in his email.

"This picture shows a worker polishing the floor of Karachi airport arrival lounge entrance, at midnight on 11 March 2010. The chemicals used in the polishing compound are highly corrosive to skin and destroy the sole of your feet in a matter of few hours. The worker is performing this job with absolutely no foot protection. I have often asked such workers to show me the bottom of their feet, only to find that a few days of work leaves them completely sole-less and with deep open wounds. It is disgusting that the largest and the most modern international airport of Pakistan shows such complete lack of concern for the health and safety of the poor contract workers. This is not just inhuman but also criminal. Should not the soul-less Civil Aviation Authority be held responsible for this criminal behaviour?"

Prevent an Honour Killing

A couple who married of their own choice in Balochistan are fearing for their lives especially on Thursday morning when they have to appear in the court. The news was released by TeethMaestro Blog with request to citizens for taking action, bringing it to the attention of media and approaching the authorities on behalf of that couple.

The following email, posted in a Pakistan activism mailing list by one of its members following up on the appeal, might be of interest to many. While we rightly criticize the law-enforcing authorities for their lapses, lets also give them due credit when they deserve it. Here is the text of the email:

OMG:

I am home this am and decided to make these phone calls to help this couple. It is unbelievable. First number is indeed IG office number in which they asked me that what couple needed protection.

They gave me home number for IG, whose person gave me direct cell number for DIG. DIG picked the phone on second bell. Listened to what I had to say, did not ignore my complaint. Was not aware of this couple. He suspects that couple is trying to get protection at a lower level and being tribal system and all, police themselves might be scared at certain level. DIG wants couple's phone number and contact number to protect them.

He also allowed me to share his phone number to people who might be able to text him info about the couple.

Have I died and gone to heaven or really a DIG in Pakistan gives his personal phone number to people to call him and contact him? Is Balochistan better than Punjab after all?

DIG sounded like a very enlightened, educated, responsible and really a great man and responded to my inquiry of taking phone calls from regular citizens with "I am paid for that". If this is a dream, do not wake me up!

You can read more about the case on TeethMaestro Blog and join the campaign. Let's hope that tomorrow's Pakistan will be a place to dream about.