India-Pakistan cricket problem and the worrisome crisis in Kurram

The Express Tribune (December 20) expressed displeasure at the ICC’s decision, saying, “The fact that the ICC has bowed its knees to the hybrid model because of good fortune and influence is unfortunate and a disgrace to the dedication.” However, it lauds its on-ground PCB, which “showed not only ingenuity and courage when it refused to give up on the tournament starting on February 19 on its soil, it also registers to other sports teams that this is politics. India at the end of the day.”

The Dawn (December 20) laments that cricket itself has been unable to bridge the gap between the two nations: “It is the passion for the game that unites the two nations and it should have remained so, keeping sport and politics separate. Unfortunately, cricket has been in the grip of diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. has fallen

Kurram crisis

Last month, 43 people were killed in a deadly attack on a convoy of about 200 vehicles carrying Shia passengers near Parachinar in Kurram district. Since then, clashes between tribal groups have escalated, killing 130 people. Parachinar has been closed after the area is on the banks of the river and the only route to Peshawar in the district is blocked. As a result, citizens are facing food and medicine shortages while hospitals are rapidly running out of oxygen and other essential supplies.

Instead of political point-scoring, as the PTI seems to have wanted to do when it decided to boycott the meeting over the Kurram crisis, Dawn (December 19) demands that the state “act decisively” … (it) must accept that such hardship should be allowed to continue. undermines its basic duty to protect the interests of citizens. The people of Kurram deserve better than to be prisoners of geography and tribal conflict in their own land.”

Similarly, News International (December 18) says, “The situation calls for action, not excuses. The KP government must immediately restore medical supplies, disarm militant groups and secure key roads to ensure aid reaches those in need.” Citing the politicization of the crisis, the editorial said, “They (citizens) must rise above party lines, end communal violence. And the victims need leadership willing to provide immediate relief.

National emergency

As Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries to have eradicated polio, according to the WHO, Pakistan launched a week-long vaccination campaign targeting more than 44.7 million children under the age of five in 143 districts. The recent rise in cases has been alarming and the country’s inability to completely eradicate it by the media has been blamed on misinformation and, in some cases, militant attacks that hinder progress and prevent medical personnel from going to such areas.

The Nation (December 16) demands that the WHO pursue self-reliance after the government terminates the contract of external polio vaccination officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa areas that regularly see violence: “In the midst of this despair, the time has come for the state to take responsibility. scenario, the efforts of regional health workers deserve recognition. These people work in challenging environments, often at great personal risk, to reach out to the most vulnerable.

The Daily Times (December 19) also reiterated the need to ensure the safety of medical workers, saying, “In light of the growing polio crisis, a simple declaration of a nationwide emergency will not suffice. The national response framework should intensify vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, emphasizing increased safety measures to protect health workers, and widespread public awareness to dispel myths and misconceptions about polio vaccination.

adya.goyal@expressindia.com