What would you want to change about Pakistan? Celebs weigh in

From better education to the legal system, stars reveal what they want to change about the country this Pakistan Day

KARACHI/LAHORE:

From immaculate parades to breathtaking air shows, Pakistan Day celebrations have always been a uniquely extravagant affair. More than 80 years have passed and yet, the day of the historic Pakistan Resolution hasn’t lost its charm and charisma.

But more than just wearing green, Pakistan Day serves as an important reflection point for the citizens. From what was envisioned under Jinnah’s guidance to where we stand today, a little bit of soul-searching harms no sane collective. On a similar note, The Express Tribune reached out to local celebrities to ask what is the one thing they’d like to change about their homeland.

"The education system," Ahsan Khan replied. "I wish each and every child could get the same standard education that the privileged ones get. I feel this should be the first thing that everyone should work on." Musician Ali Hamza added, "Our mindset about music and the performing arts needs to change. It will be a collective effort. And it will happen with infrastructure development for the ‘music scene’ so that it can become a ‘regular industry’ in Pakistan."

Veteran actor Simi Raheal feels that our holistic approach to learning in general needs to change. "All power of the future generation comes from holistic learning; not theoretical learning. It’s high time we saw the difference,” she explained.

"I would like to see a prosperous and progressive Pakistan; one that coexists with our religious and traditional heritages. Above all, I’m hoping for the elimination of poverty and violence," commented director Sakina Samo. "Get beggars off the street through social work, housing schemes and unemployment benefits. Free and decent healthcare and schooling will be the key to a happy and healthy future for us all, including senior citizens who need quality care backed by social security."

Samo went on to congratulate all the frontline workers who have done an excellent job in fighting the spread of Covid-19. “Compared to collapsing Western frontline services, Pakistan has endured this crisis with immense grace and patience," she stated.

For actor Ghulam Mohiuddin, it is the implementation of law and order that continues to haunt him. “We have everything enshrined in the constitution; all we need is the swift and smooth implementation of the law so that all citizens can roam freely without any security threat or fear on their minds.”

Veteran singer Shoukat Ali feels that while we should bat for more systematic changes in our society, we should not forget the message and philosophy of Allama Iqbal. "His Pakistan was just and free, only if we could get a semblance of that back in our society,” he said. “I also appreciate the Naya Pakistan vision of Imran Khan. But as a whole, we must find a long-term solution to poverty.”

Actor Gohar Rasheed, on the other hand, had advice not just for Pakistanis but people across the sub-continent: get over their obsession with fair complexions. “We desperately need to move beyond this,” he stated.

Anoushay Abbasi shared, "I wish we had better opportunities for performers and performing arts, we have such amazing talent in Pakistan - but we lack platforms and opportunities that can and should be available!"

Junaid Khan commented, "If we are able to see a government in this lifetime which is honest, competent and corruption free. We need to be more organised as a nation."

"I definitely want to do something about basic education," Aijaz Aslam remarked. "We seriously need to give basic education to every citizen of our country. Every child deserves to have primary education. I feel it's the most important thing we must do."

"On this 23rd of March, I pledge to try my level best in coming days to get kids off the streets where they are at high risk of abuse. May all our children always stay safe and taken care of," vows Faysal Quraishi. 

Sara Loren shared, "If it were up to me, I would make education compulsory for every girl in Pakistan because it’s the most vital and valuable resource we have and hence no one should be deprived of it. Educating a woman is educating a nation."

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