Pakistan-Liberia’s Haunting Parallel

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: Another devastating incident mirroring the tragic Ahmedpur Sharqia oil tanker explosion in Pakistan, Liberia, one of the world’s poorest countries, faced a similar heart-wrenching catastrophe in Monrovia.

The gruesome similarities between these two distant nations shed light on a broader issue: the intentional suppression of impoverished populations, pushing them to desperate measures for survival.

In the early morning hours, an oil tanker in Liberia veered off the road, crashing into a roadside ditch. Like a haunting déjà vu, reminiscent of the 2017 Ahmedpur Sharqia incident in Pakistan, people rushed to the scene to collect spilled gasoline, paying an unimaginable price. The unofficial count reports a staggering 40 lives lost, echoing the painful echoes of Pakistan’s tragedy that claimed 219 lives.

These incidents underscore a troubling pattern of oil tanker accidents claiming lives, often due to human error. However, what stands out is the desperation of the masses, particularly in Asia and Africa, where people risk their lives for free fuel—a stark commentary on the systemic failures that lead to such tragedies.

Related:https://thepenpk.com/walking-terror-on-the-horizon/

The root cause of these incidents points towards a failure of the state to fulfill its promises to its citizens. Despite the inherent dangers, people continue to risk their lives, raising questions for social scientists and pointing to a deeper crisis in governance.

Liberia, with its rich natural resources including rubber, timber, iron ore, diamonds, gold, lead, and more, grapples with the dark legacy of foreign interference and corruption among state officials. Pakistan, too, stands as a resource-rich nation with coal, gas, gemstones, and other reserves, yet its citizens face abject poverty, lacking access to necessities like food, health, and education.

The heartbreaking scenes from both countries reveal a common thread: the exploitation of natural resources by a money elite that has clawed its way into power, draining the life out of these struggling nations. Over 50% of the population in both Liberia and Pakistan lives below the poverty line, while essentials like food, health, and education remain distant dreams for many.

In a poignant video capturing the Liberian tragedy, it becomes clear that the people at the scene are not looters but individuals reclaiming their natural resources – an act of desperation and defiance against a system that has long deprived them of their rightful share. The profound loss of life in these incidents serves as a stark reminder that the struggle for survival persists where governance has failed and the quest for justice remains elusive.