Daily Times

We witness news of killings on a daily basis. Most of the killed ones happen to be the working class people. They come out of homes to provide for their loved ones a square meal. But fate decides against their will and their souls are taken by militants and unknowns. Not a day goes by without the tickers of death on news channels.

Amidst all this, many who are killed by influential people never get space on national media. Their blood is considered thinner and less valuable than the rest of ours. So their death goes unnoticed.

However, the families of those on whose income the whole family survives intensely suffer. They get a setback of great proportion. As they are deprived of their breadwinner. Their dreams are shattered and their hopes are dashed. Resultantly, a life of penury welcomes them with both hands wide and open. And this menace doesn’t let them go even when a new generation takes the matter in their hands. And the cycle goes on.

On top of this, the families without breadwinners remain as a pariah in the society. They are looked down upon by kith and kin, and society as a whole. Their sighs and sobs are considered insignificant by their fellow human beings. As the latter adjudge them as outcasts who depend on others help to survive.

Many who are killed by influential people never get space on national media

That being said Oscar Lewis, a renowned anthropologist, gave a concept of ‘Culture of Poverty’ in which he argues that Poverty’ among deprived sections sustains for generations as the value system of poor families don’t let them capitalize on any opportunity. This concept is very relevant to the subject of this article. As when breadwinners are killed then it gives birth to a milieu of despair which in turn causes lasting indigence.

Now to apprehend the main argument one can take the examples of the three children left behind after the Sahiwal killings. The second apt example could be of Arman Luni’s family which was solely dependent on his earnings. These families would attract unending destitution if not taken care of by the people at the helm of affairs.

Last but not least, the rule of law should be ensured so that all citizens lives can be protected. The more people’s lives would be safe the more breadwinners would be able to be around their families. This would rescue thousands of families from being poor for generations. And energies and competence of orphans would less likely be exploited for wrongdoings by the professional criminals.

The writer can be contacted at asifmahsud44@yahoo.com

Published in Daily Times, March 19^th 2019.