Democracy, equality, freedom on the highest sense of
integrity and on the basis of fairplay and justice for everyone.
(25th January 1948. Quaid-e-Azam’s Address to the Karachi
Bar association)
On 14th August 1947, an independent Muslim state, The
Islamic Republic of Pakistan, was carved out of the north-western region of the
Indian subcontinent. Pakistan holds the pride of being the first country in the
world founded on the basis of a religion, Islam. Under the leadership of
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah this country was supposed to embody his vision
of democracy, equality, justice and freedom of religion. About 14.5 million
people crossed the borders. 8,226,000 Muslims came to Pakistan from India while
7,249,000 Hindus and Sikhs crossed over to India from Pakistan. By a
conservative estimate, this violent migration claimed 250,000 lives. Now after
65 years, brutal migration and the sacrifice of countless loved ones, are we
there where our beloved Quaid-e-Azam wanted to see us? Answer is simple: No, not
even close.
The question is what went wrong during the 65 years of
the existence of Pakistan? Unfortunately there is no silver bullet for this
query. Few of the many issues are highlighted here:
Feudalism is the first major issue
which Pakistan is facing right now. It is deeper than the Arabian Sea. Between
the era of the 1950’s and 1960’s feudal families retained control over national
affairs through the bureaucracy and the armed forces. The feudal landlords have
created states within a state where they rule and influence the police and
judiciary. The majority of the politicians in Pakistan are themselves feudal
landlords. The feudal society was constructed for one reason: Local Control, at
the great expense of the common man.
Jihadism in Pakistan took the height of
the K2 Mountain between late 70’s and early 80’s. At that time General
Zia-ul-Haq was the Chief Martial Law Administrator. His extensive Islamisation
drive had left significant impacts on the society’s relationship towards
Jihadism. Mujahedeen were trained and encouraged for the fighting in Afghanistan
and Indian Kashmir. This was done under the strict supervision of the Pakistan
Army and the Pakistani Intelligence agencies. Again in the 90’s, Pakistan opened
another “factory” of Jihadists to take over the neighboring country of
Afghanistan. This time the new and improved product was called “Taliban” and
they were nothing but Dr. Frankenstein’s evil creations. Since the middle of
2000, these Talibans have turned their guns against Pakistan and have been
spreading their brutal philosophy of terrorism and jihadism. Killing of innocent
civilians or beheading of our brave soldiers is the new norm in
Pakistan.
Nepotism is also as wide as the Indus
River in Pakistan. Currently almost all major political parties in Pakistan
except MQM are classic examples of Nepotism. Top positions in the party are
assigned to family members, relatives or friends. Merit system is replaced with
personal likes and dislikes and key positions in the Government sector are
filled solely based on relationships with no heed to qualifications, whatsoever.
It’s not about what you know it’s about who you know.
The country continues to face challenging problems,
including feudalism, jihadism, nepotism, terrorism, poverty, illiteracy and
corruption. I wonder if Land reforms will eliminate feudalism, if modern
education will close the gates of jihadism, if justice and equality will promote
the merit system.
Somewhere between the conception of our independence and
1952, we lost our patriotic fire in the belly, greatness of leadership, open
arms and tolerance for all, and for sure the concept of one nation under God. We
are definitely not a great nation, but we can become one by taking small steps
at a time. Independence is not a right of inheritance, passed from one blood
stream to another, but rather has to be embraced and groomed by generations.
Only then will it evolve into what it should be.
“Isms” are forces which are destroying the nation. But
they can also be a blessing for young generations. They can choose between the
same old past or a new future. A future where the common man will enjoy freedom,
equality, and justice, where minorities will practice their beliefs without any
fear, where merit will be only currency. We will be questioned by coming
generations on what we built rather than what we destroyed.
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