Back to Square One

What do we mean by progress?  

"To Improve or develop over a period of time".

All of us yearn for this phenomenon in the competitive times that prevail today. We say, Pakistan is left behind in the world race. That is it. We merely state the obvious and do nothing about it. Now, what does that say about us as a nation? Are we so pessimistic that we give up all hope or are unwilling to see this land prosper or do we simply put the blame on governments?

Currently our economy is unstable, our business community is struggling, and people are losing jobs or simply not getting paid enough to make ends meet. A significant proportion of our people are earning less than Rupees 20,000 a month. People do not have a roof over their head and even three meals a day is a luxury. Do not be alarmed because that is how most of our populace are leading their lives in Interior Punjab, Sindh, Khyber PakhtunKhwa and Balochistan.

Poor nutrition and sanitation have led them into deteriorating health and the condition of public hospitals is right before our very own eyes.  Imagine the state of mind these unfortunate families might be having, can we blame them for being pessimistic about the future? Can we blame them for not progressing or do we blame the government for not providing them with their basic rights as citizens?

Without a shadow of doubt, the latter makes more sense. Amidst such circumstances, we find political parties fighting over who is selected and who is elected. The irony, however, is that we always let them exploit us. Till date, no democratic government in our history has been able to deliver on their promises. In fact, their wealth has multiplied whereas the poor continue to become poorer and poorer.

A year earlier, I recall interacting with a person who was putting up posters of a certain candidate during the 2018 General Elections. He showed me a 5000 Rupees currency note and said his leader had promised him a job after the election. A few months ago, I saw the same person sleeping in a mosque and the look he had on his face said it all. I felt for him, for the hope he once had when he ignored the scorching July heat while tirelessly pasting posters of a candidate running for election from his constituency. That is all it takes to deceive my people.

Shall we expect progress? No. Certainly not until the common person continues to be deceived.

"Countries such as Great Britain and the United States became rich because their citizens overthrew the elites who controlled power and created a society where political rights were much more broadly distributed, where the government was accountable and responsive to citizens, and where the great mass of people could take advantage of economic opportunities." (Why Nations Fail – by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson)

Pakistan is still a young nation, compared to western democracies that go back centuries. Our founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, achieved this country democratically and constitutionally. Destiny did not allow him to draw the socio – economic, religious and political map of a newly born state. During the first twenty one years of inception, Pakistan was governed by civil – military bureaucracy under oligarchic and authoritarian traditions. The military continue to play a role in the political affairs of Pakistan. Imposed leaders and inherited politics have brought damage to the overall system. The election campaigns of political parties may convey the message of ‘people first’ but the reality is far from it. Majority of the Pakistani people continue to live in areas with no access to proper education, health or food.

We must not expect progressive thought to be welcomed until the audience can comprehend it. The young generation of politics enthusiasts is our best opportunity to start sowing the seeds of a real democracy. 

Educate yourself and whoever you can, utilize the resources available to you, dig in to your history and read as many books as you can.  

Feel free to read "Why nations fail" by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. It is one of the finest books you will ever read.

Be Proud

If Jinnah and Iqbal were alive today, they would have been so proud of us. Iqbal would have kept on saying, “Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqder se pehle, Khuda bande se khud pooche bata teri raza kya hai”.   

Pakistan, isn't ideal, but so wasn't the independence. Our constitution has many flaws, but so did the Muslim Leagues mission statement in 1906. Independence gave us a piece of land to call ours and every day we fight against all odds to keep it that way. 69 years and running, they would have been proud of us.

It's an interesting story of ours. To be the fastest developing country till the late '60's, producing excellence in music and sports, the first Islamic country to have nuclear power, to be the brains and muscle behind leading companies such as Emirates airlines. This would have made them extremely proud.

We have two noble prize winners in Dr. Abdus Salam and Malala Yousafzai. That's something to be proud off. Though, I fear Jinnah and Iqbal wouldn't have been too proud of the way some countrymen treated both the individuals. We have a two-time Academy (Oscar) Award winner in Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. Truly Incredible!

Our drama industry is remarkable and our film industry is on the rise. We have a flawed education system, yet we continue to produce brains unlike any. We have no sports structure, though every now and then, we manage to pull an incredible win, like the recent win against India's Yadwinder Singh by Pakistani's mixed martial arts fighter Uloomi Karim. They would have been proud of this.

The War against Terror has taken many lives, but Zarb-e-Azb is producing results, in less time than imagined. Our economy, while victim of corruption, is improving day by day. Democracy has enjoyed a stable platform since the past 8 years and political awareness is on the rise. Jinnah would have been proud of this.

We have days to criticize, but today, let us focus on our goods. Let us create an environment of positivity. Let us encourage the 8 year olds and the 12 year olds to go out and run with "sabz hilali parcham". Let us tell the 16 year olds about the struggle our forefathers did for this land. Let us tell the 18 year olds that they are the future of Pakistan and hard work today, will lead for a better tomorrow. Let the above 50 convey stories of the wars and of the early days of Pakistan. It is time to re-install the patriotic feel that is ever slowly dying.

Spend a few minutes and you'd find a hundred names that make you proud of this country. Haroon Tariq, Tariq Jamil, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Jahangir Khan, Shabbir Sharif, Rashid Minhas, Karnal Sher Khan, Abid Parveen, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Amjad Sabri, Amir Khan, Imran Khan, Shahzad Roy, Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan, Pervaiz Hoodboy, Jansher Khan, Syed Babir Ali, Mrs Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri, Nabeel Shaukat Ali, Sara Raza Khan, Mahira Khan, Waheed Murad and many many more. Jinnah and Iqbal would have been proud of them, they would have been proud of us.

This 14th of August, be proud. 

Baby steps do count

27th March 2016. Another black day is added to our history.

This month has seen many terrible, inhumane acts. A few days ago, the people of Brussels were caught in the fire of terror. Yesterday, Pakistan lost its children, when terror visited a park in Lahore. Every human being condemns these horrific acts.

The event of Brussels, bought the attention of the whole world and rightfully so, but did Lahore manage to get the same attention from the rest of world? The Huffington post did tweet with the hashtag #PrayforPakistan and the Omni Dallas Hotel in US displayed the Pakistani national flag on its facade. CNN also gave a few minutes of coverage to the terrible act, but that was it. I do not intend to build on hatred or present a conspiracy theory, but just to tell the world, if we continue to discriminate between those who die here in Asia and Middle East, with the people who die in Europe or America, we, and I say this with great dismay, will never win this war.

To defeat this monster, we need to change ourselves. The change needs not to start on the higher scale, but slight changes in how we spend our daily lives, how we talk, how we think about the other individuals that are with us, how we treat the elders and the young ones, how good we are to people who do not share the same religion we do, or do not speak the same language, or belong to a different city, town or village. If we, as a neighborhood, society and as a nation, could reform ourselves a touch and learn to trust and compromise in our daily lives, we can achieve greatness. 

Our enemy has no ideology, but a strategy. The strategy is to use our weaknesses as a society against us. Why do young men and women go to the mountains and fight against their own soil? Intolerance and illiteracy. Educating this country is a long term plan, but removing intolerance is something, individuals together can accomplish.

We need to break many walls that have been built inside our cities and towns to divide this nation. It won't be easy and it won't be quick, but we have to. How? Small baby steps would do. As a state, we have made some. Holi was declared a public holiday, which is a very big achievement. However, many more need to follow. If we could start talking, if the people of Pakistan could start discussing issues, with an open mind, with the objective to achieve a rational conclusion, after listening carefully to the other persons point of view, this nation could achieve great heights.Conversations make relationships. For us to break the walls between our people, talking has to flourish.I understand that any talk on nationalism, sectarianism, provincialism, on ethnicity, race, culture, likes and dislikes, one's profession, is bound to invoke a rush of blood, but we need to develop control over that. We need eradicate the fear of not discussing issues that are directly related to us and this will only be possible if we build our lives on truth and compromise. The day we, as individuals, start being fair to others, the day we treat them the same as we treat our families, Pakistan will prosper.


Pakistan Zindabad.

To you, my 132 friends

16th of decemeber 2014 was the day my mother did not ask about how my day at school was or how bad was my paper. She just stayed quite. I didn't understand why till my eyes saw the television screen. My heart felt this pain I can't describe and my eyes turned red. I'm not exaggerating. Everyone felt the same that day.

16/12/14 is not a usual day of the past. It was the day when we buried 132 bright and happy souls.

It's been a year since that day but everyone still sheds a tear when we hear about you all. We try to control our emotions knowing that you all are in a good place now. Happy, safe and well.

16/12 is your day, so I thought I should do something and this letter or blog or whatever is for you and about your sacrifice.

Pakistan is united now. Well, some say it still isn't but between you and me, we know how twisted their intentions are for this country. Where was I? Oh, yes as I was saying, thanks to you, each and every Pakistani has gotten together against the enemy. I'm sorry you couldn't see the united Pakistan but believe me it's better and will get better everyday. I hope this gives you comfort.

I hope you know that your parents are proud of you and so is Pakistan. Everyone knows about 16/12/14. It's a day, that has had an impact on every single person in this country and that has helped us have an upper hand in this war against evil. Who would have thought 132 brave children would defeat the enemy? It took your bravery, our broken hearts and education to damage the insane,  the inhumane and cowardly enemy and it'll take just a little more of will power to free this land from the human animals.

Aps Peshawer is doing amazing. Did you know, you have your own cricket team. How cool is that! "Peshawer Zaalmey". We also named 132 schools in Islamabad in your memories. I'm telling you, you got us united and we so never forget our greats.

I have seen your pictures and I imagine you smiling in heaven. We're trying to do well here. Keep watch on us from up there, okay?

We love you.
-On behalf of Pakistani ky awaam.

I wish I was...

Hum Tou  Mit Jain Gay Aae  Arz-E-Watan,

Laikin Tum koo Zinda Rehna Hai Qayamat Ki Sahar Honay Tak

I wish I was there in the midst of the war of '65. I wish I was the person who gave his cycle to Air Marshal (R) Amjad Hussain, whose plane had been damaged by debris of the enemies plane.

I wish I was a part of the civilians that marched down to face the enemies army. I wish I was part of the army who told its civilian countrymen to stay back as they were capable of protecting the country, even though they faced a force that was three times stronger then them.

‘Jab tak na jalen Deep shaheedon k Lahoo se 

Kehtay hen k Jannat me charaghaan nahi hoti…

I do not think I can match the level of courage and bravery, our soldiers had, when they fought the mighty Indian tanks and gave their lives for our homeland, but I wish I could have been there.
I wish I was there standing side by side with my country men after the 17 long days. Shoulder to shoulder, thinking about how to move forward. I wish I could have sensed the feeling of "all for one, one for all".

I wish I could have said a few words about the martyrs. I wish I could shake hands with the Ghazi's (War hero's). How I wish I could have roamed the streets of Pakistan with the saabs hilali paarcham and screamed on top of my voice, "Pakistan tujh pr jaan qurbaan". 

I was not there but I can feel. My eyes turn red and my lungs squeeze up. My mouth says nothing, my eyes shed tears, while my ears hear the war stories. And then again my heart says-"I wish I was there".

The jawaan and the awaam of 1965 is the reason why I am proud of being called a Pakistani. How can I not be proud when every single person was ready to sacrifice their precious lives for their and our homeland? I can't cry on something I and the whole nation is proud of. I can not cry when I hear that a solider who was shot in his leg, felt ashamed, because he did not know how to face his mother after she had sent him to war with the message, "beta, goli seeney mea kahini hai, fakhir k saath" (Son,get shot in the chest for this nation, with pride.) Later, it turns out that, that bullet was found in his chest and he embraced Shahadat. Subhan Allah!

This is in your remembrance. Thank you, Jawano!

Sada Watan Ki Haar Ik Sarhad Par Goonjti Hai,

Utho Ke Tum Ko Watan Ki Miti Pukarti Hai 

Independence

The day is here. The flags are out. People are excited, yet it doesn't seem right. The country is in a state of war against outside-forces, yet we feel insecure from the activities of the Political Parties. People are being gunned down by different groups, yet no one has been called accountable. Is this the Pakistan Jinnah wanted? Is this the Pakistan we are to give to the upcoming generations?
I won't go stating the wrongs in Pakistan on 14th August, even though we are facing the worst of times. This day is the day every Pakistani should feel accountable to its mother-land. Yes, due to different group of people, Pakistani's have suffered in their own home especially the poor and the mediocre standard of people and they might feel a touch bit of anger at Pakistan for causing the misery but people make up nations, nation doesn't make people.
The world is not a better place. It is not only Pakistan. Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Palestine all are in a suffering state. Even the big guns like the USA, UK, Germany and all are from time to time facing troubles. Muslims are killing muslims in the world even in Pakistan. Death in numbers has become a daily routine. But this is not only in Pakistan, yet it looks as if this continues Pakistan will be in a deeper pit it has ever been in. Why? Why do other nations come out of the bad times and get even better? Why are we always on the relieving end of trouble and are then even blamed as well? The answer is simple. We are not united. The people have no discipline, neither do the organisations in the country have any. And we lack Faith.
"Unity, Faith and Discipline". Someone very dear to this land said this some 67 years ago and time has proven this time and time again though we are just so arrogant that we keep on and on ignoring it and then blame the ideology of Pakistan in the first place. Shabash Pakistanio!
67 years, have brought goods as well to Pakistan. But it is about time we actually start caring for this land and stop with the conflict of personal interest. Indeed Pakistan will have a bright day which will turn into months then years and then decades but that won't come free. "Taleem" should be our focus and the we should implement of the words of our founder, irrespective why he always wore a suit.

I feel pride in being a Pakistani today. We have achieved much, though we have not done enough to say that "our founders died for something worth great". Happy Independence Day.

There still is Hope

While one part of the country is involve in the fight with Taliban and the other is involved with fight against it's own people, one might easily make a conclusion that this stage could doubtlessly lead to the collapse of this poorly built country.

I'm sorry if I offended someone when I said "poorly built", believe me I pay no blame to the forefathers of the nation of Pakistan, rather I respect and owe my life to them as they have blessed me with a land that I and others, in years to come would proudly call our homeland and even in times of utter-collapse we and many do call this land, proudly our homeland.

That's an emotional attachment we, the people of this country have to this wonderful area, surprisingly we Pakistani's our the leading people of any country to have such a strong emotional attachment to our own country with the people of Japan and USA coming behind us. Something to be happy about so yes feel proud Pakistani's that you truly bleed Green.

But lets be fair, the emotional attachment to a country is of no use unless that aspect is turned into something productive for the country, right? Unfortunately that's something what we lack. But, then again there is the but and normally "but's" are used for something negative, something wrong, something that makes a person says "oh no, no but's please", though the but here is something of a good thing for this country. It's the giving proof that even when the majority of the people of this land don't do much for their homeland there are people that will till their very last believe in this country and work for it's betterment. Unfortunately those people aren't actually in a position of doing much, though their passion is admirable. Those people are refereed to by their economical and financial standards by the community and are tagged in as the "poor" or in good word terms the "less fortunate".

It's something to think about, how corrupt and bad our society has become and cruel it is to the poor people, rather when talked about Pakistan, the most people who would give in their lives and everything for this land would come from the poor side, whilst the "fortunate" would not bother to give a dime in. I'm not to take anything away from the rich, yes there are good rich people but if this homeland of ours had much more good rich people we wouldn't have so many poor people and definitely we, Pakistan, would have been in a better position than we are now in.

Why so screwed up?

8 people killed. Over 60 Injured. This happened in the streets of Lahore, not from a bomb blast or target killing but from firing and nutshell between the police and the civilians. The country at one point is at war between the "Taliban", while at another point the country itself is near "civil war".
Now lets be honest here, every country screws up and then they get up and move forward. Like Japan got screwed after the atomic bomb blast, or how china got screwed up between the revolutionary march by Mao ze Dong. Even neighbouring countries after a certain time of screwing each other up, leave that and move forward as how Germany and France did so and believe me these two countries did hell to each other till the second World War.
Point is when every nation makes mistakes and pays the price but then moves forward, why can't we? We as a nation after Independence in 1947 have screwed up alot as well, but when will this end? When will the people of this land stand together and say enough is enough. No more dead bodies, no more corruption, no more poverty, no more black-marketing, no more crimes, no more pushing the poor down, no more of any bullshit in this country, enough is enough!

Pakistan has been a victim of many problems since a long long time and much blame has been put at different governments that have come and gone and much has also been said by the faults of the People of Pakistan and how arrogant and wrong they have become and are exceeding in that. It's time to stop now. Everyone should now wake up, I guess we still are not late and we still can save this country and move forward as every nation in the past and in the future will do on this planet.

Allama Iqbal had a dream that the muslim majority areas join together to form a Muslim state which came into being by the efforts of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other muslim leaders.That dream is Pakistan, our homeland.
Martin Lurther King had a dream which he stated in his speech, that he had a dream that one day things would change, negros would be given rights and not treated as dogs or less than the whites and that dream came true by the efforts of the whole community together.
Now every Pakistani has a dream for a better homeland and by the firm belief in Allah and full belief in the strength of this nation, that dream will come true, but the question lies how many lives do we still have to give in to learn? How much more of screwing up is neccesary for us to finally learn?