Anyone remembers the Pakistan of ’60s and ’70s; any comparison with the lives we are living in the present day Pakistan? Blowing up of girls schools, targeting of polio workers, killing of religious and sectarian opponents, mobs wandering in streets ready to lynch anyone on blasphemy charges, even advocating or acquitting a blasphemy victim warrants death sentence, forcibly converting religion of females belonging to minority groups, places of worship and devotion — be these mosques, shrines, mandirs, churches are a favorite target, even health centers, school assemblies, funeral processions are no exception — these are all a hallmark of today’s Pakistan. Sadly all this is happening in the name of religion; obviously by doing so these extremists are not spreading religion but forcing people to run for their lives.
Why the Pakistan of ’60s and ’70s was not a fearful place — only because religious extremists and their supportive clergy were not that powerful to challenge the writ of the state, only because seminaries were not a closed place for outside world. A peaceful and progressive country was completely turnaround in ’80s when state went ahead to nurture religious extremists to achieve short-term goals. But as said if you dig a hole for others, you are sure to fall in it yourself — now there is no way to put this genie back in the bottle. After fighting so-called jihads in the neighbouring countries, these fanatics have turned their guns on their very creators. But main victim is the general public, being killed and maimed on daily basis in the cross fire between a confused state and extremists.
Looking for help to counter these gun totting gangs killing in the name of religion — yes, talk to Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to show the righteous path to fanatics. Oh, sorry, CII is busy deliberating on girls’ marriage age, first wife’s consent on second marriage — please come back after a decade, that is if you are alive by that time.
Please return us the liberal and progressive Pakistan of ’60s and ’70s.
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
I would love to see the Pakistan of 60's. It used to be so peaceful. As kindergarten school children we were able to walk to our without any fear. Parents did not need to worry. Public transport was abundant and of good quality. Law was respected by every one. No mail would ever enter ladies compartment of Omni bus nor on the train. Railcar was the fastest ground mode of travel and those really good trains.
I remember once, after a theft attempt in our neighbors home, FIR was cut just with a single phone call. Having seen the thief myself, Constable gave me a two way ride from home to Police Station on his bicycle, for identifying among the arrested criminals.Today, a police man will never drive a bicycle with someone behind him. Another neighbor had a theft, and police returned the goods upon recovery.
We usually carried only a 10 Paisa coin to buy snacks at school canteen. Same coin was sufficient to use telephone booth for local calls. And above all, news used to in Bengal and Urdu. Children songs used to mention East Pakistan. Alas, only memories are left.
i remember we were living in East Pakistan,my father was posted in a place where there was no electricity,taking water from hand pump,in that we were the only one non-Bengali..it was so peaceful,living like brothers..
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