Past few weeks, I happened to attend the anniversary celebrations (Yaum-e-Tasees) of Insaf Students’ Federation (ISF), the student political wing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at their Central Secretariat, Islamabad. I was invited by my friend who is currently amongst the office bearers of ISF. Speaking on the occasion, the Founder Head of ISF, Islamabad Chapter said that the thing which differentiates ISF from the student wings of other political parties was the culture of discipline. He added that they had introduced discipline amongst the ranks of youth. His statement was widely hailed amidst the cheers and slogans of young blood present at the occasion.
Afterwards when the cake was cut to mark the celebrations, the same person asked the participants to come forward and eat the cake themselves. This announcement ushered in a doomsday scenario. Typical of our people who forget everything when it comes to eating; our youth attacked the cake and fought their way to get a bit of it. In all this period, nowhere the culture of discipline could be observed. Discipline literally vanished from the scene.
This is the awful state of our youth which is currently very eager to bring change in Pakistan. But they themselves remain unchanged at large. What does our young generation think? By rallying around Imran Khan and supporting his party, will they be able to stir a very change they often talk about and want to see in their country. Never at all! This is the height of folly. Anyone, who wants to bring change, must remember that change comes from our inner being. If we do not change ourselves, our attitudes and our mindsets then we cannot bring any sort of change.
Leaving other things aside; we are a nation that seriously lacks civic sense. From our elite to the lower class, we almost lose sense when we find some food in front of ourselves. Once, I was invited to a book launching ceremony at a local five star hotel where our elegantly attired elite was present as guests. There I saw and met many of our retired bureaucrats and serving government officials which reflects the calibre of participants. When the ceremony concluded and tea was served, our well dressed and usually well-mannered elite rushed towards tea as if this was their last tea. Instead of lining up and giving everyone a chance to come forward, they ate and took tea in the most inappropriate manner as was generally unexpected of them.
These situations were not new to me and perhaps to anyone of us. I always come across such horrifying scenarios be it a wedding, a religious ceremony, a seminar or a conference. Every one of us sees these things but no one ever thinks to help reduce these shameful acts which have almost become our common national identity. Today, at almost every table, people are discussing the prospect of bringing change in Pakistan. But no one seems eager to change themselves. With our own being full of obnoxious factors; are we eligible to do so? Is this how we can change things?
BADAR-UL-ISLAM
Islamabad