Sunday, August 10, 2008
Ferhan Mazher Chief of ROD disscusses human rights issues with Punajb's Human Rights Minister Mr Kamran Micheal
Sargodha, Pakistan (ROD)August 10th:Provincial Minister Kamran Michael, MPA Khalil Tahir Sindhu and MPA Tahir Naveed Chaudhary showed their crucial attendance. There they took dinner and 100 other members of Christian minority were also in attendance. Khalil Tahir Sindhu heard the probing problems of the minorities. The Chairman of ‘Rays Of Development Organization’ (ROD), Ferhan Mazhar was also in attendance and he introduced 'ROD', the work they are doing and the dilemmas they are facing. Khalil Tahir Sindhu reassured him that the tribulations of ROD will be recovered very soon. Khalil Tahir Sindhu told that 1000 forms are distributed amongst Christian families of Sargodha for Food Stamp Scheme. He told that 30,000 Christian families will receive benefit from this Food Stamp Scheme in Punjab. Khalil Tahir Sindhu also declared that they are trying to start a housing scheme (3 Marlas per house) which is under process so that all the people of minorities should be provided with shelter.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Population persists to blast as a nuclear bomb.
Written by: Khadijah Shah (Rays of Development Organization (ROD))
This time surrounding the WPD was noticeable with the theme “Family Planning: It’s a Right; Let’s Make it Real,” with an aim to offer a probability to create awareness about reimbursement of family planning, including it’s a fundamental role in enhancing maternal health, gender equality and poverty diminution among the peoples across the world.
In 1968, the world leaders proclaimed that individuals had a basic human right to freely determine the number and timing of their children but the irony of fact was that 40 years later modern contraception still remained out of reach of hundreds of millions of women, men and young people in the world.
‘Pakistan, with a population of approximately 160 million people with expansion rate of 1.86 per cent annum, is the 6th most heavily populated country in the world after China, India, USA, Indonesia and Brazil’, said Ministry of Population and Welfare of Pakistan.
It was ranked 14th in the world’s most populated countries with a population countries with a population of 33 million in 1951 but it had surpassed Japan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Russia on account of rapid growth rate with 2.45 per cent. At present growth rate, of the population of
The government, while recognizing serious implications of high fertility decline, lower rates of population growth, reduce infant mortality, child and maternal mortality and to improve health status of the masses.
The World Population Day activities varied in scope and nature while ranging from rallies, performances and exhibitions, to sports competitions, seminars and cultural events but all the events have one thing common which is to affirm the right of people to plan their family size and thereby helping to make this a real fact.
Punjab Minister for Population Welfare Neelam Jabbar has said that rapidly growing population will have to be controlled in order to provide better health, education, sanitation, potable water and other facilities to people. She stated it on the occasion of WPD, in a seminar which was organized by the Population Welfare Department,
At present, mortality rate in the children under five in 94 per 1,000 and it will be reduced to 65 by 2,011 and 45 by 2015 (MDGs Target) while mortality rate in newborns is 54 per 1,000 which will be reduced to 40 by 2011 and 25 till 2015.
Dr Muhammad Nafees, the Director of the ‘Institute of Social and Culture Studies’, Punjab University, said that in order to improve the quality of life and provide better job opportunities to the population, we would have to control our population.
On the other hand,
The United Nations General Secretary, Ban-Ki Moon declared that forty years (40) ago the authorities had announced that every individual had the right to have the advantages of the basic necessities of life and do family planning. He added what has already been happened cannot be undone, but what is about to be done can be prevented, hurdled, diverted, delayed and even stopped indefinitely. This is where we, as a society, go extremely wrong. In an attempt to undo what we couldn’t prevent, we neglect and abandon what we can. The vicious cycle takes its course, speeding by the hour, and we let it. In the end, there seems to be very little hope, a lot of disappointment, unmet targets, failed attempts, weak policies, and the end of the tunnel seems pitch dark. However, there is hope, there always is.
Ammanat Rasul, Director General, Minister of Population Welfare, explains, “It’s a vicious cycle.” The family planning programme in the country was started in the 60’s. “Social, cultural and religious constraints, restricted the debate on population issues such as reproductive health education, knowledge regarding contraceptives and concept of the individual reproductive rights. Our staff was beaten, the family planning centres were set on fire and issues such as contraceptives were a taboo subject,” he adds.
Just complaining about an extensively increasing population is as fanatical as depending upon natural disasters to so away with a portion of it. According to CIA’s World Fact book,
The numbers here call for serious undisrupted attention, for if population issues in Pakistan are to be addressed, maternal deaths combated and young people are to be given a good, healthy start on their lives, their right to reproductive health and family planning information and services might be promoted, and changes in policies and regulations should be encouraged.
Regarding young people’s sexuality, the biggest barriers are cultural taboos. Although most people become sexually active during the period of adolescence, they often have no access to the education and family planning services they need. Most people in
In
“Population is an issue of national significance and is not just limited to a single ministry. It is an issue that cuts across all departments and therefore we are involving the Ministries of Education, Health, Women Development and other social sectors. It has to be a combined effort. Unless the media, civil society, private sector, religious and political leaders all join hands, it is difficult to achieve success. It’s an entire nation’s issue and not just limited to the Ministry of Population.” he asserted.
In
On this important day ‘Rays of Development Organization’ (ROD) conducted a study circle of both male and female students, ex-students, laymen and laywomen. Addressing the study circle Mr. Ferhan Mazher Chairman of ROD said that ‘Lets all stop talking and start doing’ he maintained that ‘each one of us is responsible for the population more than our limited national resources’. Mazher further added that it’s a day of decision making and our decision should be that we would plan our family, our resources and most important of all future of our
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Sunday, March 9, 2008
Pakistan human rights body observes International Women Day
Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)
Spouse of the newly elected APMA’s member of the Punjab Assembly Mrs Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, Farukh Tanvir, Member of District Assembly of Sargodha Ms Rubina, Rosy Dewan (ROD), Sheraz Khurram Khan (Assist News Service, USA), Ms Mary and Chairman of ROD Mr Ferhan Mazher addressed the women, who had flocked to mark the IWD.
Mr Furrukh Tanvir of APMA asserted that women in
Mrs Tahir Naveed Chaudhary called for treatment of women on the basis of equality and ensured that APMA representatives will ensure necessary legislation in this regard.
Talking to ROD Fact Finding Team, she said that women hailing from the minorities should be given reserved seats and government should allocate 10% seats for the minority women from 33% quota of the women reserved seats.
Speaking on the occasion Sheraz Khurram Khan, the Special Correspondent for Assist News Service USA said that women are an integral part of our society and women belonging to the minorities’ communities suffer to a greater extent because of their faith.
He referred to some incidents in the past where the culprits had singled out minority women for rape. Condemning domestic violence he urged minority women to stand up for their rights.
Chairman of ‘Rays of Development Organization’ (ROD), Ferhan Mazher said that ROD is striving altruistically for the feminism, provision and protection of equal rights of women. He went on saying that ROD wishes to eradicate all sorts of gender based violence and envisions a society where women enjoy equal rights, freedom and justice.
The event culminated in a peaceful manner, all the participants stood up, joined their hands to show solidarity and prayed for the equal rights, freedom and prosperity of the women.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Civil Society of Sargodha Pay tribute to martyred Benazir Bhutto.
Lit a’ Candle’ to Salute Benazir Bhutto and strengthen the democracy in Pakistan says Rubina Feroze Bhatti
Saturday, January 12, 2008
APMA call for National Prayer Day for the soul of deceased Benazir Bhutto
APMA condemns Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.
Calls for National Prayer Day for Benazir Bhutto’s soul on Sunday Jan 6th
Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)
Sargodha, Pakistan, Jan 12th, (ROD): In a press release issued by the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (AMPA), Chief Shahbaz Bhatti has condemned the assassination of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson, Benazir Bhutto in a terrorist attack at Liaqat Baagh,
Shahbaz Bhatti has said that the attack on the Benazir Bhutto was the attack on democracy. He reprimanded the government for its failure in providing the infallible security to the important person like Benazir Bhutto.
Talking to the news men Shahbaz Bhatti said that PPP has announced 40 days mourning. Therefore all the minorities would observe
Rays of Development, Organization (ROD) & APMA observed
ROD Chief Ferhan Mazher, APMA Zonal Chief of Sargodha Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, Farukh Tanvir Chughtai, Mr Rubina (APMA), Samuel Nazir Sindhu (APMA) and Kaamall Shameer Gujjar addressed the congregation and expressed sympathy and condoled with the bereaved Bhutto family.
APMA pledged to continue such prayer services until the end 40 days mourning.