Where is Batman?

Governments have come and governments have gone; the alluring power has warmed the seats of civilians and generals alike. Heads of state have been blatantly accused of corruption, dishonesty and misappropriation of funds. Ahmadis have been denied relief and bullet-riddled bodies have overcrowded morgues in Karachi hospitals. It feels like there is a pregnant cloud of gloom and bad prophecies waiting to unleash more lightning bolts.

What we need is a Batman. Stop smirking, I’m serious. But before you think I’m crazy, let me clarify that I am speaking metaphorically.

Unlike most superheroes, Batman possesses no special powers, and his abilities are reflective of his intellect, wealth and innate sense of justice only. In this respect, a Caped Crusader is the man of the hour for Pakistan, because not only will people aspire to be like him since he is not a Godsend, his regular life (much like that of Bruce Wayne) will keep him in touch with reality and the plight of his people.


Wearing a mask is another prerequisite, because that will mean that before Muhajirs, Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochis and Pakhtuns can think of him as a bhai representing solely their respective interests, they will view him to be a Pakistani. He will be looked at as the saviour of Pakistan, a national knight, instead of a provincial one. So the mystery is definitely a bonus.

Having said that, I’ll admit that there may be a problem with the Bat-Signal; Batman is not telepathic, nor is he a person with multi-scopic vision. He relies on the police of Gotham city to activate a searchlight that he responds to, but doesn’t know about the crimes taking place in every shady corner of the city. In a utopian world, Pakistan’s law enforcers and Batman will form a coalition force that will make any criminal shudder in fear, and together rid the country of many evils. Maybe for the time being, the media can be the one that draws attention to crime scenes?