- Citizens express their love for Pakistan, suggest steps to improve current situation and laud Pakistan Army for rooting out terrorism
On the 68th Independence Day of the country, Pakistan Today conducted a public survey to give a chance to the citizen to express their love for Pakistan and what they plan to do for their country.
Pakistan has passed through various turbulences and difficulties since its inception but the nation has been content and dealt with every problem with patience and perseverance.
It is often said that the voice of people must be regarded as voice of God and while talking to Pakistan Today, majority of citizens belonging to different age groups, said that current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif is the “true savior” of this nation.
65-year-old Abdul Hafeez, a businessman from Anarkali, said that there is no other country like Pakistan but politicians have ruined the country.
“I really don’t cast my vote because neither do I trust the politicians nor the electoral system,” he said.
Hafeez, while talking to this scribe, said that only Allah and General Raheel can save Pakistan from further deterioration.
He also criticised the recently imposed withholding tax (WHT) by Nawaz Sharif-led government and said that the WHT is adversely affecting the interests of the business community.
Talking to Pakistan Today, 55-year-old Muhib Gull Khan, a corn vendor by profession, got emotional and said that he is always ready to sacrifice his life for Pakistan.
Gull, originally a resident of Mohmand Agency and has been living in Lahore for last 35 years, was of the view that his ancestor’s land is abundant with natural resources and the country can benefit from them if they are used effectively.
According to Gull, agriculture land in his village had been ruined due to non-availability of water and suggested that the water of River Kabul can be used to facilitate the poor population living there.
Lauding Pakistan Army, he said that militancy has been reduced in his agency drastically due to unmatchable efforts by the Pakistan Army.
Abdul Basit, 27, a doctor by profession, was of the view that everyone in Pakistan wants to see the country to flourish like America, China and Russia but no one is ready to perform his duties sincerely as citizens.
He said that Pakistani citizens and leader alike lack honesty which is the reason of the downfall.
Basit thinks that Ayesha Mumtaz, Director Operations of Punjab Food Authority (PFA), has become a public hero nowadays because she has performed her duties honestly and every individual can reach to her stature by performing his duties with sincerity.
He further said, “The ongoing liaison between General Raheel and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is a very effective model to run the country. It is the sincerity of General Raheel that he has become the de-facto leader of the entire country,” Dr Basit concluded.
Rana Abdul Rehman, a graduate in history and law and a practicing lawyer in Lahore High Court (LHC), told Pakistan Today that if this country continues to run in same state, then he’ll prefer to shift to some other country.
Rehman, who is in late 20’s, however gave credit to the incumbent government in mitigating terrorism.
Shahadat Ali, a government school teacher, was of the view that the nation has completely forgotten the message of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to work hard for the country.
Every citizen of this country, he said, is responsible for the current situation of the country.
Admiring General Raheel, he said that the COAS has made up his mind to bring the country out of perennial quagmire and wished him luck in his mission.
Farwa Shafqat, an Mphil in Urdu literature, said that she will stay in her motherland come what may. She complained that the generation of today does not have as much regard for national songs as people once had fervor for national songs in the past.