Karachi under Siege: 28th December 2009

There are no heroes in war, only victims.

There are no heroes in war, only victims. A look at some of the US soldiers that came back from the Iraq war and each of them definitely has their own story to tell. Their tragedy will only be life reminders of how ugly war really is. http://ritemail-amazing.blogspot.com/2009/12/american-soldiers-back-from-in-iraq.html

Can the Victims of Terror Speak? The silence of HRCP Statistics

The sheer silence on the victims and survivors of terrorists bomb attacks in Pakistan is evidenced by the lack of statistical and biographical information on the victims of terror. Even Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, (HRCP), the prime agency for the protection of human rights in Pakistan does not cover the violations of human rights including deaths and injuries of innocent civilians, caused by terrorists attacks. The bulk of statistics are gathered around the following  9 subjects. 

• Burnings, Corporate Punishment, Deatn Penalty, Domestic Violance, Kidnapping, Killings, Sectarian Violance, Sexual Harrassment, Suicide
• 
  
• The nearest one can get to human rights violations caused by terrorist attacks are the statistics on the victims of Sectarian Violence in Pakistan. 

The summary of HRCP statistics for the year 2009, from January to October is as follows:  


Killed: 321

Wounded: 748. 

Source: Sectarianism & Sectarian Violence 

AIRRA statistics on Terrorist Violence and Victims in Pakistan

Aryana Institute for Regional Research and Advocacy (AIRRA)

AIRRA is a non-profit organization which has been envisioned to remain independent,both ideologically and organizationally,and is meant to carry out scientific and rational studies for policy recommendations to countries in the region (South and Central Asia), international community and development organizations.The geographical focus for research will initially remain to be FATA, NWFP, Northern Baluchistan in Pakistan, and South and Eastern Afghanistan because of convenience and easy accessibility.

AIRRA shall focus thematically to understand and recommend for human security, social development, regional cooperation and an environment free of extremism and terrorism that would probably usher in an era of pluralism, equal economic and political opportunities, rule of law, and individual and collective empowerment for the people of South and Central Asia within their state institutional frameworks in consonance with nature.

List of Widows of Swat, Dec 2009

Aryana Institute of Regional Studies and Advocacy issued a list of widows in two villages of Swat. More of such lists are needed for all whole of Pakistan before any rehabilitation work can begin on sustainable basis. In addition, a number of other statistics and surveys maps the situation. 


Also see the following:

List of Bomb blasts in Pakistan, 2000-2009

Casualties report May 15 to May 21, 2009


Facts And Figures Of Losses And Damages Incurred Between Parts Of The Pashtun Belt Due To Religious Militancy From 1st May 09 To 31st May 09 

SUICIDE ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN 2002-2007 Suicide Attacks in Pakistan, 2008-9

Facts Sheet on SWAT Education & Other Vital Data

SAIR information: The eclipsed scale of Terrorist Violence in Pakistan

A think tank based in India, South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR) brings out regular assessments, data and news briefs on terrorism, insurgencies and sub-conventional warfare, counter-terrorism responses and policies, as well as on related economic, political, and social issues, in the South Asian region.

The following information on the reported deaths due to terrorist violence in Pakistan is drawn from SAIR website. A general reader's discretion is advised. We should build equally credible sources of information for public dissemination in order to verify the statistics provided below. 

 

Pakistan Data Sheet

Number and Deaths/Injuries in Bom blasts in Pakistan

Casualties of Terrorist Violence in Pakistan
Sectarian Violence in Pakistan (1989-2009) 
Major incidents of terrorist violence in Pakistan, 1988-2009
Bomb Blasts in Karachi, 1987-2004
Suicide Attacks in Islamabad
Suicide Attacks in Rawalpindi
Sectarian attacks in mosques in Pakistan (2002-2008)

Moon Market shopkeepers demand compensation

The UN had declared the victims of terrorists attacks as the most neglected victims in the world today. This is true for Pakistan, where despite more than decade old history of terrorist bomb attacks in the cities, there is little recognition of their significance as urban disasters. They are erased from public memory faster than natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. Moreover, forced displacements as a result of military warfare, such as in  NWFP, gained world wide attention as well as international aid. Whereas, the victims of urban disasters such as terrorist attacks are compensated largely on grounds of political expediency but not as matters of public policy. 


The response of victims of Moon Market tragedy underscores the need for evolving effective mechanisms for managing the process of compensation and rehabilitation work, to be carried out on long term basis. Financial compensations will not last long, more sustainable ways of offering help in medical, psychological, educational and employment  related matters should be developed.   


Daily Times
* Traders’ union president says losses estimated at Rs 30 million so far
* Stall owner says ‘nearly impossible’ for him to restart business on his own

By Rana Tanveer

LAHORE: Around 150 shops, including roadside stalls, were destroyed in the twin blasts at Moon Market causing a loss of around Rs 35 million to more than 160 shopkeepers, Moon Market Traders Union President Abdul Jabbar said on Wednesday.

Secretary General of the traders’ union, Arif Siddiqui, said they had registered 109 stallholders and 52 shopkeepers so far while around 25 shopkeepers have not been registered as yet. He said the losses could increase once all the shopkeepers had been registered.

Meanwhile, the blasts have burdened several small-scale shopkeepers with heavy loans after their shops were destroyed completely and they are now relying on the government to compensate their loss.

Some stall owners expressed helplessness while talking to Daily Times, saying they had recently started their business by taking loans from relatives. They said their goods, makeshift stalls and carts had been completely destroyed in the blast.

A toy stall owner said his business had burnt into ashes along with Rs 1 million that he had collected from a monthly committee from several traders of the area and was supposed to give it to one of them on the next day of the blast.

He said he did not know how he would be able to return the amount as he did not even own his house and his business had also been destroyed. To a question, he said the government could compensate his loss but no one would believe he had lost Rs 1 million in cash.

Impossible: Kamran Ahmed, a small-scale shopkeeper selling sweaters, said he had started his business only two months ago, adding that the day the blasts happened was his first day at work after Eid holidays. He said he had no source of income besides selling sweaters on a cart, adding it was nearly impossible to restart the business. Ahmed said he had already borrowed money from his brother-in-law to start the business, adding that there was no hope except the government’s help for earning for his family.

Home | Lahore

Govt to reconstruct Moon Market, compensate victims

The steps of the Punjab Government are laudable and must be strengthened by financial contributions from  private sector as well as civil society. Now, the real task for a citizen group is to be able to monitor the process of compensations from public announcements to the actual disbursement to increase the transparency of the process. 


Daily Times, Thursday, December 10, 2009, LAHORE: The Punjab government announced Rs 300,000 in compensation for the families of victims of the Moon Market blasts, a private TV channel reported on Wednesday. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told reporters that the government would bear thue costs of their medical treatment. He also announced the government’s decision to reconstruct the market and announced a comprehensive survey to assess the damage incurred. daily times monitor

The Need for Emergence Response to Bomb blasts in Pakistan

The bomb blasts in Pakistan have become all too frequent to have a shock value any more. Now, not the news of the blasts but the body count of killed and injured is what makes terrorist disaster a news on the national broadcast. Although we are all scared of being a victim to a bomb blast, there is a general social apathy and public indifference towards mitigating the traged. Despite more than 1,500 people killed and even more injured in the bomb blasts this year, still there are no signs of national concern raised for the victims of bomb blasts either by the vibrant civil society or the democratic government of PPP. The human costs of the war on terror have not be taken into account and the institutional arrangements  for disaster preparedness and mitigation hardly exists.

Read what the victims of Lahore Moon Market bombings have to say! The intention of the post is not to whip the concerned state departments such as police, hospitals, morgues but to highlight the need for a Task Force that can coordinate the activities of the line departments and act as a resource center for the families of terror victims and survivors.

President Zardari to seek personal interest in assistance package for victims of terrorism

BISP directed to devise assistance package for terror victims


Pakistan Times Special Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to devise a comprehensive assistance package for the victims of terrorism.

He also advised that the assistance of professional bodies running charities may also be sought to make BISP more effective and also to attract funds for the Program from various international donors.

The President said this while chairing a meeting in which presentations on Benazir Income Support Program and NADRA were given to him in the Presidency on Friday.

The presentations were attended among others by Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Minister for Interior Rehman A. Malik, Finance Minister Shoukat Tarin, Minister for Health Mir Ejaz Jhakrani, Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretary-General Salman Farooqui and spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar.

She said that through Emergency Relief Package, an amount of Rs. 28 million has been paid to 3965 families of FATA and Bajaur whereas Rs. 26 million paid to the 3729 earthquake affected families of Balochistan.

It may also be recalled that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a contribution of $ 85 million to BISP during her visit to Pakistan.

Babar said that the world community recognizes and appreciates the utility and usefulness of the Program and the way it is being managed in a transparent manner above any party affiliations or any influence whatsoever.

Traders of Moon Market Commemorate the Victims

Shall we stop at commemorations or make short term and long term strategies for improving the safety standards of public places in Lahore. 


Candles lit to commemorate Moon Market Victims, LAHORE: The traders at Liberty Chowke in Lahore lit candles in commemoration of the victims who lost their lives amid Lahore twin blasts occurred in famous Moon Market, Geo news reported on Wednesday.

According to sources, the participants, on the occasion, vowed to face the menace of terrorism with iron hands.

The candlelight commemoration gathering was organized by MM Alam Road Traders Association (MMARTA), which was attended by residents and traders hailing from Liberty Market and Hafeez Center who lighted candles to pay homage to deceased victims of Moon Market twin blasts.

Attendees also raised slogans against extremism meanwhile, member Punjab Assembly Dr. Saeed Elahi said the Moon Market tragedy has led to the unity of nation and will ultimately stamped out terrorism form the country once for all.

He said the government of Punjab has devised foolproof strategy to eradicate extremism but however, it is not an easy job to deal with terrorists.

Network of Associations of Victims of Terrorism, European Union.

The following introduction and web links to the EU Network of Association of Victims of Terrorism, can help us to formulate a set of goals and objectives for a similar networks in Pakistan and South Asia.

NAVT INTRODUCTION Description and objectives

Aims and content of NAVT The main aim of NAVT is to stimulate trans-national co-operation between associations of victims of terrorism and enhance the representation of victims' interests at European Union level. This should be done through the setting up and running of a stable, focussed and effective network of European associations of victims of terrorism or other non governmental organisations with a special focus on supporting victims of terrorism The general aim of NAVT are: –Create a network of associations of victims of terrorism or other organisations with a special focus on supporting victims of terrorism; –Contribute to increase the representation of victims of terrorism in the European Unionas well as the solidarity of European citizens with them; –Assess current aid and protection offered to victims of terrorism in the European Union; –Gather best practices and identify gaps in the aid and protection offered to victims of terrorism; –Propose activities to extend best practices and address these gaps; –Support the Union's goal of providing aid and protection to victims of terrorism

Coping with a terrorist attacks: What victims and survivors could do?

How to take care of and help yourself after a disaster.
Copyright 2007 © Network of Associations of Victims of Terrorism.

The emotional effect caused by the recent terrorist attacks can affect all kinds of people: the injured, families of those who died, friends, rescue and healthcare personnel, witnesses of the event, volunteers, journalists, and in general many people who feel affected by the tragedy, even despite having been far from the place. Those who have witnessed the event or have lost loved ones are most exposed to more intense reactions and the people who found about and saw the consequences of the explosions on the television may also feel very irritated. Common reactions after traumatic events such as this terrorist attack include feeling afraid, sad, horrified, powerless, angry, overwhelmed, confused, absent, emotionally numb or disoriented.

Those affected may suffer from nightmares or depressive thoughts or “photographic” images which suddenly come to mind. Younger people may react by becoming irritated or seeming absent. All of these are normal responses to stressful events. With the help of family, friends and colleagues, and in general with the solidarity of society as a whole, most people gradually improve with time.

What can be done to deal with this situation?

o Spend more time with other people. Facing up to times of stress is easier when people help each other.

o If you think it is helpful, speak to other people about how you feel. You must be willing to listen to others who need to talk about how they feel.

o Recover your daily routine. Old habits can be very comforting.

o Take time to grieve and cry if necessary. To feel better after a time you have to let your feelings out, instead of repressing or hiding them.

o Ask your family, friends, spiritual advisers or any social resource for support and help.

o Participate in or join support groups.

o Set yourself small goals in order to overcome big problems. Do things one at a time, instead of trying to do everything at once.

o Do not neglect eating, and take time to walk, stretch, do exercise, and relax even if it is only for a few minutes a day.

o Make sure you get enough sleep and rest. In times of great stress more sleep than usual is required.

o Do something that makes you feel good, such as bathing with hotwater, going for a walk, sitting in the sun or stroking a pet.

o If you are trying to do too much, try to do less, leaving for later or just missing out some things that are not absolutely necessary.

o Find something positive and altruistic to do such as give blood or donate money to help the victims of the disaster, collaborate with professionals and volunteers who are dealing with the consequences of the terrorist attack.

o Escape from the tension of the event: don’t watch so much news, switch off the television and find distraction in doing something you like.

How to act with children.

o Let them know you understand how they feel.

o Tell them that they are really safe.

o Maintain the normal routine. o Do not let them see many shocking images of the attack.

When to seek more help.

Some people may need additional help in order to overcome the psychological consequences of a traumatic event. The people directly affected by the tragedy, children and adolescents, people who have experienced other traumas and people with emotional problems are very pre-disposed to needing professional help. A person may need additional help if one month after the event, or even before that if the person is suffering a great deal or feels very incapacitated, the person:

o Still fees very shocked or afraid, almost all the time.

o Acts very differently compared to how he or she acted before the trauma.

o Cannot work, study, take care of the children or the house.
o Has worse personal relationships.

o Takes drugs or drinks a lot.

o Feels very nervous or has a lot of nightmares.

o Cannot stop thinking about the terrorist attack.

o Is unable to enjoy life in any way.

Pakistan Prime Minister’s special fund for victims of terrorism established

Associated Press of Pakistan, May 2009 

ISLAMABAD, May 11 (APP): The Government has  decided to establish a Fund titled “Prime Minister’s Special Fund for Victims of Terrorism” for providing relief in the wake of current conflict in Dir, Swat, Bajaur and Waziristan Agency of NWFP and FATA. According to a statement issued by the Finance Division here Monday, the fund would be used to mobilize resources and render helping hand in the relief efforts to the affected people. All proceeds on account and payment into the aforesaid Fund will be received at all branches of State Bank of Pakistan, All Treasuries and Branches of National Bank of Pakistan and all other Scheduled Banks. The Fund may receive donations from both domestic, international donors and contributions from abroad which will be received at all the branches of above referred banks where such branches are existing. In other foreign countries contributions will be received at Pakistan Missions and remitted to the State Bank of Pakistan which would prescribe necessary procedure for their accounting. All proceeds received in the name of the fund will be credited to the public account of the federal government under major object G 12, special relief deposit fund minor object G 121, relief funds detailed object (New) G.12135 Prime Minister’s Special Fund for Victims of Terrorism. Accounts of the fund will be maintained by Accountant General of Pakistan, Revenues, Islamabad and will be administered by the Cabinet Division through F.A. Organization.