Being a citizen and resident of Germany, it is not easy to access news about Pakistan. But a few weeks back, the news of Pakistani Rangers shooting a young Pakistani boy to death was highlighted by the Western media.
It was shocking for me to hear about this inhuman act exercised by your forces on the innocent youth of your society. Though I know that today Pakistan is faced with multiple problems like terrorism, extremism, low literacy rate, poor health facilities and energy crises etc, still I do not expect this kind of cruelty from a country that has a history of culture and civilisation since times when Europe was stuck in the depths of middle-age.
I have lived in Pakistan for two years, so I am quite aware of the situation on ground but generally in Germany, it is believed that terrorism is spreading from Pakistan and Afghanistan solely. This thought is developing hatred among Germans for Pakistan, and they think of her as a failed state. I do not agree with them. Germany lost two World Wars. Her economy was destroyed and the whole infrastructure of the country was damaged by heavy bombardment. But, with the collective efforts of the government and the people, Germany was back on her feet in relatively short span of time. So why is Pakistan not able to explore its potential?
In my opinion, the Pakistan’s most valuable potential is the Pakistani youth. By tracing different media, I have found out that the majority of young males and females of Pakistan possess great potential, and are keen to hold peaceful, tolerant and harmonic dialogues with the establishments on positive reforms (as for example the group ‘VNG: Voice of New Generation’).
They are willing to collaborate with the authorities for the betterment of Pakistan. Now it is golden chance for the government to integrate Pakistani youth in the political and secular decisions of all concerns. This change of course may bring positive developments in Pakistan thereby disapproving the statement, ‘Pakistan is a failed state.’
HILDE JACOBS
Germany
