AIHRC’s ethnic organogram

I found this rather unusual and hopeless table in the human rights commission’s website which I think is in response to widespread criticisms on Sima Samar’s alleged (president of the commission) Hazara cronyism.

The table is unhelpful though as it confirms that Hazara’s weight is far heavier than all other ethnic groups.

If Pashtun are 45% of the population they should have 290 of the 646 posts; Tajiks (30%) should have 193; and Hazaras (12%) should only have 77 – certainly not 170!

The table is also ambiguous as it does not specify the ethnic balance in terms of senior and junior posts. So, is it fair to count a Tajik door-keeper equal to a Hazara boss?

The table is also dodgy as the Sadaat, Qezelbash and Bayat ethnic groups it mentions could in the meantime be Hazaras.

Lazy journalists in Helmand

The appalling assassination of the BBC’s reporter Samad Rohani in 2008 would prove me wrong to suggest journalists in Helmand province are idle and unprofessional.

Almost three years of work with a number of Laskargah-based reporters have left me with little hope that we are well informed about events and realities in Afghanistan’s hotbed of conflict, opium and controversies – Helmand.

I am not naively expecting world-class reporting from Helmand – low capacity is our common notorious pretext – but I often see grave misinformation, stereotypes, phony facts and similar patchworks flowing into national and international media outlets from there.

I pay handsomely to quality reports from across Helmand to freelancers but guess what – I hardly find buyable products.

“You emphasize too much on accuracy, balance and sources….you’re too demanding,” complained number reporters I recently asked them why were they not able to earn my dollars.

The Lashkargah media family seems to me more of a lap-dog and some members may be filling pockets with donors/NATO projects money. Some lads put NATO’s risky hat of “cultural adviser” which is unhealthy for their career too.

Use your phone and establish direct lines of communication/contacts and cross check facts/figures/analyses from your reporters in Helmand, I strongly advice.