Pakistan needs to come to terms with reality
Mamta Benarjee, the chief minister of West Bengal has been seeking to change the name of her province to a word beginning higher in alphabetical order such as Bengal or Bangla. The reason – speakers are called in the (Lok Sabha} national assembly debates in the alphabetical order. She feels deprived of productive speaking time as West Bengal (beginning with W) is called when the session is about to conclude and the listeners have lost interest.
Likewise, my four years old grandson grew increasingly impatient and agitated waiting for Pakistan during the spectacular opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, as other nations with names beginning with the letter ‘A’ commenced marching at a snail’s pace. It seemed like eternity when finally the Pakistan flag did appear leading our contingent greeted by his enthusiasm and slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. (Little did his yet small mind realise that his pride did not match the shame that a nation of 200 million was represented by a few men and women, none of which had qualified for the event!)
Similarly, the Hindu majority shrewdly retained the name ‘India’ for its share of the subcontinent at the time of partition securing them several more significant advantages other than being in higher alphabetical order. India was a name already on the world map and renowned globally for the legends of its massive wealth of gold and diamonds accumulated in its grand temples and palaces and for its mystic culture. Pakistan, on the other hand, faced the burden of introducing itself to the world as a new country won in the name of religion lying in the shadow of its giant neighbor always seeking to dismember it.
Such are coincidences in life that may sometimes breed frustration. However, these are of little consideration to men and nations of consequence that believe in their own strengths, destiny and sense of purpose.
India proceeded to systematically build and expand on its inherited light, heavy and cottage industrial base and the nationalism that its people had cultivated during the long struggle for independence from the British. Its ‘banya’ population had an uncanny trading acumen and an unmatched mindset of frugal lifestyle content with bare necessities. With the renewed ownership of nationhood, they now set out to reinvest their funds in increasingly vast ventures. The political class embarked on consistent policies that have now forged a niche for the new India as a regional power.
They aggressively marketed ethnic products accentuated by a pride in introducing the Hindu traditions and culture of song and dance, meditation, Yoga and its century’s old traditions that captivated the West for its novelty. The government ensured a conducive environment for profit making and protected local manufacturing base by placing severe restrictions on the import of consumer goods. The British public’s familiarity of India as the jewel in the crown of its vast empire (where the sun never set) afforded Indian business and public relations a head-start to flourish on which they successfully capitalised.
The land area allocated to Pakistan thrived on its agrarian economy supported by the five rivers and an excellent network of canal irrigation system. Its strongly built rugged men were the pride of the Indian army. However, industry was non-existent and the trade was overwhelmingly in the hands of the Hindus and Sikh population that migrated to India following the partition. It is no surprise that our country was destined to be controlled by the land owners and the military. Neither of them possessed any political acumen nor had they made any significant contribution in the formation of the state of Pakistan. Their extravagant personal well being overrode the national interest – that has remained undefined to this day.
Since the treasury was empty, our economy became dependent on heavy loans. The flow of easy money was manipulated by the bureaucracy leading to increasingly financial irregularities and favoritism in its dispersion. Religious organisations soon crept into our political structure (opponents of an independent Pakistan). This sector did little to enhance the cause of nation building or to infuse ideology and morality in the minds of the public based on Islamic teachings, undermining any efforts of human progress, dividing the social structure with ignorance and sectarian infighting.
Successive political governments were dismissed by the army chiefs on a single charge of financial corruption. Yet each that followed also faced the same accusations. (The present government included). In addition, political immaturity, personal greed, unwise international alliances and patronage of militant groups for short term gains over the years have rendered our country domestically unstable and bankrupt.
India has transformed itself into a regional economic and military power and a diplomatic bully during the last seven decades. Meanwhile, we have mounted our national debt due to reckless spending and declining productivity in all sectors except human population. Our timid and ambiguous foreign relations have failed to win any friends or business partners overseas. Those still communicating with us patronise with an eye towards our geographical location.
Recent events of Indian hostility have demonstrated the mindset of the Indian nation and its media. Pakistan has stayed as a thorn in India’s eye due mainly to our support for the Kashmiri’s right of self determination. The Indians become hysterical and set aside mutual differences and personal preferences when war drums are beaten against Pakistan. They unite and stand firmly behind an unpopular, illiterate and extremist Prime Minister who is ostensibly staging frivolous Kashmir border violations that are crafted for domestic political gains in coming state elections. Even the Indian film industry towed the national line by renouncing the hiring of Pakistani artists.
At home, we witness our political parties engaged in fierce infighting, millions of real issues other than corruption, confronting the public needing to be resolved, are relegated to back burner. Our media has gleefully acted as a catalyst to field one against the other in petty squabbles without any thought of national cohesion. Even the tragic massacre at the Quetta police training institute has failed to evolve any compassion in their hearts and minds.
The nation is waiting for good sense to prevail and an across the board effort to lift the sinking national values. We need to review our seven decades old history and rise to the Indian challenge by promoting self sufficiency, solidarity, objectivity and nationalism amongst us that we keep sabotaging. We need to expose our incompetence and disloyalty to our nation and present ourselves to ruthless accountability. Our leaders must stop hiding behind excuses (like CM Benarjee) and start delivering.
