Dry Spell and Drought

Pakistan has been a hub of problems and dilemmas ever since its coming into being, yet the present dry spell, continuous lack of rains, drought and hunger along with the ensuing spread of diseases and deaths of human beings and animals has created an unprecedented situation of large-scale rot, devastation and destruction of life and property. In Balochistan, 15 out of 26 districts are already drought-stricken and 7 more are coming into its grip. After playing havoc in Southern Sindh, now Thatha and Karachi are feeling its effects. In the Punjab, Cholistan is faced with dry spell and famine. 2.1 million people and 80 percent of the area in Balochistan; 1.5 million people in Sindh; and 0.7 to 1 million people in Punjab are in the grip of drought. According to the official announcement, 170 people have succumbed to death; non-official estimates, however, run to the double of this figure. Balochistan provides for 47 percent of livestock needs of Pakistan, but its 40 percent has perished and another 40 percent is under dire need to keep the link of body and spirit. Thousands of animals have died in Sindh as well. People are migrating in large numbers in search of water, food, and shelter.

The extent of devastation this year and its taking a big part of the country in its grip is on the one hand a divine warning and a mild form of divine wrath; on the other hand it is a challenge and trial for the collective conscience of the nation and provides us an opportunity to ponder. It is neither an ordinary happening nor can it be called a product of casual factors. If a devastation of this level and clear warning fails to wake us form slumber then, God forbid, future is gloomy. And if we wake up to the reality, look towards God with sincerity and sense of remorse, give up the way of His disobedience and become His loyals and follow and uphold His Deen and Shari’ah, give up seeking external support, remissness, self-aggrandizement, opportunism, and denying each others’ dues and instead take the road to self-reliance, hard-work and sacrifice, cooperation, protection of each others’ rights and loyalty to the nation and the country, then this dark night can end soon and give way to a new dawn:

If the people of the towns had believed and feared God, We should indeed have opened out to them (all kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book for their misdeeds. Did the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of Our wrath by night while they were asleep? Or else did they feel secure against its coming in broad daylight while they played about (carefree)? (Al-A’raf 7:96-98)

The most important aspect at this hour of trial and moment of destruction for the people of Pakistan is to ponder over the situation in ethical and spiritual perspective and to draw lesson from what they have made of themselves. Those who are indifferent to Allah and deny Him keep an eye on material factors, while those endowed with Faith accord priority to moral and ethical aspects without being neglectful of the material and mundane factors. They turn to Allah, recalling their sins and errors they are full of remorse and seek His forgiveness. They carry out self-accountability not only with respect to the apparent but keeping in view the real causes of rot and decay and in the light of the ethical law of the universe. Turning to Allah and obeying Him, they try to re-construct their life in this world.

While material causes are functioning in this world, ethical laws are shaping the situations even more forcefully. The utmost requirement of the circumstances we are faced with is that we assess our ethical and spiritual position and understand the comprehensive and well-coordinated moral laws of the self and worlds, material factors of destruction and construction, and the formidables of the issues of life and death. In the light of this understanding, we should strive to rectify the situation so that we come out of the whirlpool and turn the catastrophe into a vehicle for reconstruction and soaring flight:

Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere – who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To God we belong, and to Him is our return" – they are those on whom descend blessings from God, and mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance. (Al-Baqarah 2: 155-57)

The faithfuls and their leadership should know that without taking into consideration the moral aspects the provision and coming into action of mere material factors cannot correct the situation. By returning to Allah, repenting and seeking His forgiveness, elimination of cruelty, immorality, denial of others’ rights, vulgarity and injustice is as essential as is the provision of material and financial resources, each other’s service with good taste and facility, and right planning. The most truthful (pbuh) has said:

When adultery and usury (riba) become rampant in a country or people then it is as if the people have invited the wrath of Allah unto themselves.

The Prophet said: Shun transgression for it is the cause of darkness on the Day of Judgment, and shun Shuh (greed, frugality, and selfishness) for it destroyed those before you and prodded them into indulging in blood-shed and giving sanction to what was forbidden.

He (pbuh) forewarned that "there are five such evils as your committing them or letting them make inroads among you would bear dire consequences. I seek Allah’s protection lest these evils take roots in you":

1. Adultery: If it starts taking place openly it would give rise to diseases that would have been unknown before;
2. Fraud in measure: When a nation indulges in this evil, Allah throws it in the grip of drought and dry spell, and it is subjected to the oppression of wicked rulers;
3. Non-payment of Zakat: Rain from heavens stops coming down on those who commit this evil. There would be no rain but because of animals and birds;
4. Disloyalty to Allah and His Prophet, and breaking the covenant: This evil leads to the domination of the enemy who snatches away much of the belongings;
5. And when Muslims do not run the affairs of the government according to the Book of Allah then Muslim society gets infested with division and people indulge in internecine conflicts.

The circumstance we as a nation are faced with need, first of all, that we assess our inner-self and turn to God while repenting and seeking His forgiveness so that the doors of His mercy are opened for us and we come out of the morass we are in because of the repeated transgressions of the nation and its deranged and inept leadership.

The problem the country and a big portion of its population are facing has not come about all of a sudden. Those who could discern were trying to draw the attention of the nation and its leaderships that came in succession to the fact that they were moving towards a catastrophe. But, alas, short-sighted leaderships did not care about the country and its people. They did not set priorities for national life and social development. This resulted in such a situation that a country that was meeting more than half of the needs of food in the subcontinent fifty years ago is now compelled to import edibles from other countries. The extent of hunger and wastage of life is so great that it is feared about Pakistan that it is on the way to become another Somalia or Ethiopia.

How and why the situation declined to this level! Its major causes are:

1. Wrong economic strategy, where facts and realities in the country were overlooked and development policies based on foreign aid and formed according to the dictates of the financial institutions of the world. Agriculture, that feeds 70 percent of population and provides for 80 percent of raw material for industry and the biggest source of earning foreign exchange, was neglected not unknowingly but deliberately.
2. Instead of taking the course of self-reliance, the approach was to be dependent of foreign countries and tow the line of the world order. This affected all the important sectors of economy: neither the agriculture could make progress, nor did a stable and strong system of industry take roots. While on the one hand financial deficit opened the floodgates of inflation, our products lost much value in international market due to repeated devaluation on the other.
3. Not only that many aspects of the supply of water were neglected, but also it was given into the throws of political interests and regional considerations so badly that whole of the country is now bearing its brunt. The future can be quite gloomy if the matters are not settled in the best interests of the country and upholding justice and with dexterity even now. The present crisis is but a tip of the iceberg and a divine scourge so that the nation discerns the coming storm, put together its act in making the ship and mending the roofs.

The water crisis is three-fold: First pertains to the quantum of water i.e. as to how a plan for the supply of water to meet the needs is made. The second is about distribution, supply and use (water management). The third concerns about the right agriculture technology and method of cultivation, so that highest produce is achieve through optimal use. Till now, our policy has been crude, impractical, obsolete and unrealistic with respect to all the three aspects. Added to it is the curse of corruption.

4. The issue of agricultural reforms is one of the major issues of the agriculture. Despite the two so-called reforms, 600 families hold 50-55 percent of the under-cultivation area and are enjoying sway in both agriculture and politics. It is impossible to change the lot of agriculture without basic agricultural reforms and judicious system of distribution of lands. Moreover, this has been responsible for unbalanced distribution of wealth and ever increasing proportion of poverty in agriculture. The present dry spell and drought have affected most those were already the victims of poverty. That is why the base of agriculture cannot be made strong and just without the distribution of wealth and provision of employment opportunities. Nor can exploitation, poverty and dependence be eliminated from the society as a whole.
5. Latest researches have shown, and Nobel Laureate Amarata Sen’s research findings are quite revealing, that there is a deep relationship between drought and foreign occupation and between drought and dictatorship/undemocratic system of government. Poverty does not reach the level of drought and massive wastage of life in a system that is based on consultation, freedom of expression, accountability and answerability, rule of law and provision of justice. The situation declines where there is no scope for reform, where there is concentration of powers and lack of answerability.

Natural circumstances and abundance or lack of rains is certainly important but these five factors have been instrumental in taking the rot to this extent.

The circumstances in which Pakistan came into being and had to be contented with the independence offered under the deal between Britain and the Congress, after the failure of the Cabinet Mission Plan, left little scope for preparation that was necessary for transfer of power and stability. Redcliffe Award, the scheme for the division of the Punjab in which the headworks of three rivers were to go to Indian control and that the origin of the rivers too was to be controlled by them were reasons enough to cause alarm bells. This was what actually happened. In April 1948, India created great problem over the issue of water. In 1960, a solution of the problem in the form of Sindh Basin agreement was reached that was greatly in favor of India which acquired complete control over three rivers. Pakistan accrued a loss of 23 million-acre foot water that even 13 million-acre foot water of Mangla and Tarbela could not compensate. Pakistan had to establish new canals to coordinate its entire irrigation system with the three rivers that had come under its control. Mangla and Tarbela dams became pillars of the new system in 1967 and 1976 respectively, but the steps that should have been taken afterwards were spoiled because of political squabbling and no consensus was built about both provision and distribution of water. The three rivers under Pakistan’s control provide 140 million-acre foot of water of which 106 million-acre foot is being used for agriculture while 34 acre foot goes waste falling into the ocean. Two thirds, or even more, of this could be used for agriculture or for the production of electricity. But no practicable plan has been prepared thus far. 48 million acre foot of under-ground water is being used for irrigation. At least 7 million acre foot more could be extracted from this source. About 40 percent of water used in irrigation goes waste, it is not used for real irrigation purposes. Because of ever increasing level of silt in Mangla and Tarbela dams, their capacity has been reduced by 24 percent; if not remedied this can plunge the country into a serious crisis by the year 2013. Flaws in the canals system and meddling by the influentials have greatly inflicted the distribution of water. Then are the issues of salinity and water logging, and seepage because of non-cemented canals. The entire canals system is being run under a law of the 1873 that needs to be shaped anew according to the changed situation. This too exposes slackness. The accumulated result of all this is that one’s share has fallen to 1,200 cubic meter from 5,000 cubic meter at the time of the Partition; and it is feared that by the year 2025 it would recede to mere 800 cubic meter. If an effective strategy for the provision, distribution and use of water is not finalized then it is for certain that we are moving fast towards a big calamity, God forbid.

In this context the issue of Kala Bagh Dam has assumed a central position in the ensuing debate. But it has been given such a political twist that the more it is tried to reach a solution the more controversial it becomes. Any further uncertainty in this regard is fatal. If there is no possibility for consensus on it, then there is no option but to come up immediately with an alternative strategy. For this, professional experts and political leadership would have to sit together and decide collectively; and should consider the strategy of small dams like China. This is also because dependence on foreign loans, experts and companies is inevitable in the case of big dams, while for smaller dams, which can be 30 to 40 according to an estimate, engineers of the country and machinery of the national industry can be sufficient. This can provide employment to thousands, give a boost to national industry, prove an effective step forward to self-reliance, and help avoid the tentacle of foreign powers. What is needed is visionary insight and the ability to decide after setting the priorities according to the interests of the country and to struggle for its realization.

Without rectifying the ills we have highlighted above, there is no possibility for progress of the economy in general and of the agriculture sector in particular. But the prevailing circumstances call for two kinds of measures:

The foremost need is of a comprehensive plan for relief and rehabilitation that should mobilize the country’s resources on war footing to save millions of human beings and cattle from death, hunger and poverty and make them sustain on their own. This is an Islamic and human responsibility of the whole nation, and it is the duty of the government and the wealthy to come to the aid of their tragedy-stricken brethren, even if they have to forego what is rightfully their own. The economic system Islam champions is based on justice and welfare. It wants to establish a system of collective sustenance so that there is no destitute or needy, either permanent or temporary. It has no room for restricting the circulation of wealth among the rich; instead the wealth should circulate the whole society as has been clearly enunciated in the Qur’an: …in order that it may not merely make a circuit between the wealthy among you. (Al-Hashr 59:7). Moreover, in the hour of trial it is the duty of everyone to help one’s poor brother and the needy whether a Muslim or a non-Muslim, even if it demands sacrifice. Qur’an has taught the rule to avoid extravagance and wasteful spending, and to help one another. The best are those who help others even when themselves in adversity, and give priority to others over themselves: But give preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). (Al-Hashr 59:7).

Hazrat Umar (RA) has narrated that when the Prophet was asked as to what was the best act? He (pbuh) told that to please a Muslim was a very rewarding deed: give him food if he is hungry; clothe him if he stands in need of them; and if his some need hinges on, meet it. (Targhib-o-Tarhib, ref., Tabarani). Furthermore, the Prophet said: The one who preaches a good deed would get the same reward as that of the doer, and Allah likes that the needy (whoever he may be, a Muslim or a non-Muslim) is helped. (Targhib-o-Tarhib).

Hazrat Sahal bin Saad Saa’idi narrates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said the relationship of a Muslim with others faithfuls is akin to that of the head with the rest of the body. He feels every ordeal of them just like the head feels the pain of every part of the body. (Masnad Ahmad).

It is a known saying of Hazrat Umar that he feared he would be held answerable even if a goat (or dog) died of hunger on the banks on Euphrates. When there was a drought-like situation in the Arabian peninsula during his rule, Caliph Umar worked round the clock to fulfil the needs of the needy. He stopped eating meat and took plain food, till the difficult time was over and prosperity returned to the people.

In the prevailing circumstances, it is the duty of all – the government, the wealthy, common citizens and their organizations – to spare no effort in meeting the needs of the drought-hit areas. Extravagance and wasteful spending are sins in even ordinary circumstances, in the obtaining these are simply unforgivable. This is a national emergency; all resources should be utilized for the help of tragedy-hit areas and people with utmost honesty and dexterity. It is unfortunate that even at this trying time radio and TV are harping the tune of merriment, carelessness and waywardness. There is no let up in the luxury of the wealthy people. The extravagant are indulged in the waste of money and the landlords, owners of vast tracts and rich in the interior of the country are indulged in their petty delights showing total indifference to the plight of those who are needy and facing hunger. How many among the well-off have gone to the affected areas? And how many political and social organizations have visited the sites to be helpful to the needy? The army has set a good example, but with some exceptions the overall performance of the government machinery and so-called NGOs and political parties has been lackluster and poor. If the relief amount the government has provided is spent honestly in both the provinces, then several short- and long-term measures could be adopted. It is feared that a big chunk of this amount would go waste as has been in the past. The government should arrange for making the looter such an example that no one can dare commit a wrongdoing. Ensuring this would move people to come forward confidently and donate wholeheartedly, adding greatly to the relief fund.

Praise be to God, Jama’at-e-Islami has once again taken lead in serving as much as it could. It is not only for now, even ever before – in Thar or in Khuzdar – smelling the dry spell it workers served the destitute and provided whatever they could, and this is what they always should. The need is of mobilizing the whole nation for meeting this emergency situation and that or media and means of mass communication give up flippancy and instead play their role in a campaign for serving and saving both humans and cattle and enabling them to stand on their own. As an immediate step for help, provision of edibles, tents, water, medicine, milk for children and other items of basic needs should be arranged in an orderly manner.

This relief work should be on national level and war-footing basis, and nation’s attention should be diverted from all other interests to facing this challenge. Everyone should play due role and help the needful brothers and sisters relying only on own resources instead of looking for foreign aid.

Another need is to give attention to the main issues that have been mentioned earlier. Immediate help and temporary arrangement are essential just as the effort to stop bleeding of a patient. But the patient cannot recover merely from this act; diagnosis of the ailment and treatment are necessary. This can be done only when the five aspects referred above are accorded full attention and a new strategy and clear road-map are prepared by which the nation can stand on its own feet. This needs the inclusion of the development of agriculture and a system for the provision, distribution and use of water. Reforms in the economic and political systems are essential, as well, in order to remove the causes of rot, which are at the roots of the wastage of national wealth for the luxury of a small class instead of being used for the welfare and benefit of the people of the country and, thus, has become a means for worsening the situation of anarchy, cruelty and exploitation.

Along with these steps, and more than these, direly needed is purity of hearts, contact with Allah, seeking His forgiveness for sins and errors, and reconstruction of individual and collective life according to the teachings of His Deen and the example of His Prophet so that the rights of Allah and His slaves are ensured and the nation can absolve itself of its duty of "witness unto mankind" and enjoining what is good. So that the land of God and His Creation get the blessings that descend when Deen is established and embraces whole life, so that man can be successful nor only here but in the hereafter as well.

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Translation and adaptation of the editorial of Tarjuman Ul Quran June, 2000 written by Prof. Khurshid Ahmed.