It’s too big a mess
I am a human being. I have a mind, I have a heart, I am aware and educated, but I live in Pakistan and I am a Pakistani. With the mention of Pakistan I fall in another category of another type of humans. In Pakistan humans are not supposed to feel, understand and react. If they began to do so their frustration would lead them to see a psychiatrist. In Pakistan happy go lucky are the illiterate or the very rich. Both these categories have much in common. They are not bothered about what is happening in the country. The very rich live many a hundred kilometers away from the Pakland, and the poor aspire for just food and shelter. Worse is the combination of illiteracy and poverty. This specie is perpetually adding to the unproductive population, which will either become criminals, Gullu Butts or suicidal bombers. For sure the illiterate and poor become the vote bank of the affluent zamindaar and wadera of their village. Hence the great democracy!
Unfortunate are also the thinking and feeling types of humans. These do not belong to the poor/ignorant/illiterate class, neither do they belong to the blessed/rich/elite class. This type will see and experience Pakistan through the lenses of reality, which is hard and bitter. This is the salaried middle class. Born, brought up and raised to value education and to make a life through education. They were never poor and never very rich. They live comfortably and work hard for a better future. This class of a society makes the backbone of a country. These educated and aware human beings constitute the civil society of any country.
Thus civil society of Pakistan comprises sensitive and patriotic people who know exactly what’s happening, who watch closely the games of power of characterless louts on the rampage. Media unveils the games and deals of power that know no level of sanity and the very small number that constitutes the civil society writhe with frustration and anger
Thus civil society of Pakistan comprises sensitive and patriotic people who know exactly what’s happening, who watch closely the games of power of characterless louts on the rampage. Media unveils the games and deals of power that know no level of sanity and the very small number that constitutes the civil society writhe with frustration and anger.
Look at the open bias. After eight years, when there is going to be a parade of the armed forces in Islamabad on March 23, almost 40 madrasaas are being closed for ten days. What does this mean? That even the establishment and the army understand that these madrassas are a living danger and a safe home to terrorists. The VVIPS will be out in the open for March 23. it is for the security of the armed forces and the higher ups attending the parade that no risk can be taken.
So this means that all the ordinary people of Islamabad, all school going children, all doctors, all lawyers, teachers and every living soul of the capital and this country are not important. When it comes to saving the very near, dear precious ones of the high and mighty, they can shut down anything. Point to ponder! When they want they can do it but only for those whose lives matter to them.
In many countries when members of the civil society get together to voice their opinion and put forth their demand they can bring around revolutions if they are big in number. This, unfortunately, is not the case here in Pakistan, where this type is just a handful.
In many countries when members of the civil society get together to voice their opinion and put forth their demand they can bring around revolutions if they are big in number. This, unfortunately, is not the case here in Pakistan, where this type is just a handful
Unfortunately, the members of civil society of Pakistan have no base, no permanent membership, no leadership and their demands or protest hold no strength. It is only in civilised nations that civil society has value and a voice. In a mob mentality country such as Pakistan, a peaceful gathering dies its own slow death and withers from whence it came from.
In recent times the fearless leadership of Jibran Nasir has risen as a great hope. Jibran receives perpetual life threats and putting his precious life in danger he stands against many wrongs, especially terrorism. His movement did succeed in having an FIR registered against the red mosque cleric. FIRs hold no value in this country. There is one against Shabaz Sharif too. What change has that bought along? Many people with FIRs against them enjoy a free and full life in this country and can even travel abroad. So much for the hue and cry from the civil society.
Maybe members of civil society need to begin work on community levels. Maybe effort needs to be made on grass root level. With personal effort and responsibility, people need to be reached out to and mobolised. Maybe small and easy to achieve projects need to be initiated. Chanting slogans and ranting about issues and delivering speeches has failed to bring about results.
It’s too big a mess. Too dangerous a route yet when started with minor missions in mind may be one day the big message will get across to the deaf and dumb leadership.