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Change for the better
Anum
Fayyaz Raja
Nations only survive through
instinctive introspection by looking at the annuls of history
and learning their lessons. Those who disregard past and only
tend to live in the present, usually have no share of luck in
future.
Those
who do not learn and choose to betray the true origin of their
history, cultural moorings, moral values and honour, simply fade
away into the past. A panoramic view of the security spectre of
Pakistan makes startling revelations that are perceivable, yet
not necessarily visible. From the shift and drift in US
intentions to the move against Pakistan, from the questions
between the courts and the executive regarding the NRO to the
corruption tales, from the energy crisis, economic and social
problems to the real threat of militants, from the increase in
the hardships and destitution of common people to the
exploitation of institutions, from judiciary to the rule of law,
from corruption to accountability, from Kerry Lugar Bill and
other economic assistance to the Memogate, Pakistan is facing a
spectrum of crises, which are live, intense and overly
complicated carrying a cobweb of uncertainty.
Many a dark shadow is looming on
the national horizon with numerous questions warranting priority
sort out. We are facing a nationwide energy crisis which seems
to be getting out of government's hands. The society is plagued
by unabated violence right across the country. There is a
strange coldness and ignorance towards Baluchistan, which is the
largest province of Pakistan in terms of territory and resources, but is being neglected since
decades and is under perpetual darkness. This situation may be
beyond emancipation because it poses real threat to the very
foundation and integrity of the country. The same fate once
befell East Pakistan, not
so long ago. We hardly talk of that episode in our history now,
but this is what reality is. So, negligence towards Baluchistan
is only a repetition of the blunder we seem to have perfected.
Both Baluchistan and the integrity of Pakistan are wailing for a
messiah.
Everyone talks of free and fair
fresh elections before the schedule. Different television
anchors present their own presumed stories, but it is very
complex to detach facts from fiction. All these things never
bring ease and comfort to the common man. There is a general
harmony around the premise that there is no remedy to the
innumerable problems if the prevailing political system with all
its players and the ills remains there. So, we need to see that
what can be the possible struggle ingredients to put in, to help
our country get rid of all the ills and malpractices which are
becoming national irritants with every passing day.
Pakistan was created on the
basis of the assurance given to Muslims of the subcontinent who
were in minority that with a homeland of their own, they would
be free to go to the places of their worship and the non-Muslims
were also allowed to do so. But now, we ourselves are denying
the strength and the spirit of the goal to achieve Pakistan. We
have fallen prey to a different mindset which is the basic
reason of the deterioration and the weakening of the spirit of
our goal. By distorting and denying the history and the basis of
their existence, nations cannot meet success, rather their very
survivability comes into question. Successful nations can
neither come into existence nor sustain themselves unless they
appreciate, acknowledge, respect and learn from their history,
at least of their own.
It is a very difficult
environment in which the goals being pursued contradict the
spirit of our history. In such a critical situation, the
leaderships that has been elected to power and heads the
political dispensation lacks the vision, morals, ethics,
principles, honesty, candour, reputation, sincerity and valour.
These willful people pursue their personal interests and focus
on their own self which later becomes the primary component of
all the policies being made and pursued. The national objectives
become far less important and are considered deferential to the
personal interests. They manipulate all the instruments at hand
to enable themselves to cling to power, even if they have to
exploit the freedom, justice and fair play. Such leadership puts
the foundation of biased and unequal exploitative mindset which
is far away from the emancipation and liberation. With this, the
society becomes confined in terms of mind and spirit.
Pakistan has year after year,
suffered the penalty as a result of different dysfunctional
democracies and tyrannical dictatorships. Each one of them has
added in its own way, the flavour to the enslavement of the
minds and spirits of the nation and each one of them has
contributed to the abandonment of the ideals and higher
standards of life. The country and the national interests have
become subservient to the interests of a few. With this process,
the nation is left with skeleton, and is void of the courage and
the spirit of its history.
It would be too pessimistic to
say that there is no solution to the current problems we are
facing in Pakistan. Same way, it would be too idealistic to say
that there is no problem in the current political system and
that the current democracy is the solution to every problem. If
we see realistically, there are numerous problems and ills in
the current system and players and there are solutions to those
problems as well if our nation is determined and resolved to
solve them and bring a CHANGE. To begin with, we need to realise
and comprehend as a nation, that "there is always an opportunity
wrapped in each crisis".
There appeared some silver
linings in the dark clouds as well, though less, but were a ray
of a hope for a positive change in the country. Much of the
state's affairs have come to place through the legislation in
the 18th Amendment which is a significant step. Some of the
major laws have been put into place especially regarding women,
which is of critical importance. Having the right laws in place
is of crucial importance and one of the important steps in
bringing about a solid change and lessen the degree of
uncertainty over what would happen in future.
Whatever level we have achieved,
much more needs to be done to bring about a positive, solid, and
long-lasting change. To bring an enduring and long-term change,
it must be ensured that this change is embedded in our true
values and holds a great significance and relevance with the
history of Pakistan. To change and change for the better are two
different things. It should not only come for the sake of
change, but also for the sake of addressing the primary needs of
common man in compliance with the true spirit and courage of the
historical basis of Muslims of Pakistan, so to promote our
fundamental principles and continue promoting the development
and advancement of its citizens.
The moral values and interests
of a nation are of critical importance as is clear from the
example of Bangladesh. It proved that not only religion, but
also the culture, moral values and interests can bind a nation
together and keep them integrated, or otherwise. So, to respect
the foundation of its survival and learn from the experiences of
history is important for the survival of a nation.
The change of faces alone cannot
bring about the desired change. It will only come by recognising
the importance of history and values and then by putting a team
with an accountable and transparent mechanism which would work
on the prescribed guidelines according to the needs and
requirements of the common people.
We direly need to create a
vision for our country. The needs of the nation, nation state
and its constituent human capital should be the top priority of
this vision. A regional identity also needs to be established by
Pakistan, which would allow her to be trusted, coordinated and
cooperated with. We all need to work towards this goal in an
integrated manner and achieve at least some level of success in
bringing about a positive change in our country.
The Pakistan of the future
should be a progressive, peaceful and peace-loving,
internationally trusted and respected, internally stable and
just, regional contributor, prosperous welfare state and leader
and of the homogenous Muslim world.
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