Rewriting a narrative

Pakistan is in need of nurturing a strong narrative as it redefines its priorities based on realism. National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf, while acknowledging that Pakistan for long has been portrayed in a bad light, called for rewriting the new national narrative on the premise of the country’s strategic, economic and cultural tangibles. He insists that the narrative should be proactive, unapologetic and pragmatic. Rightly so, that is the way to go for Pakistan in the new milieu.

Pakistan’s biggest enigma has been its inability to put forth its strengths and merits across the horizon. Though it never lacked capacity, it was a victim of sheer campaigns. The NSA chief made a reference to the eastern neighbour, saying that all it did was carry out character assassination campaign against Pakistan, rather than doing its own image building. Islamabad, in reciprocity, got stuck in a vicious circle of antagonism to save its skin. This modus operandi has to change and it can only be done by galvanising the best and modern communication tools, and kick-starting a renaissance of sorts.

Crafting a new narrative is sine qua non in this new age. This image building, however, should not be retaliatory in essence, rather one that purports the nation’s character, human strengths, rich history, diversity patterns and last but not least a vision of togetherness. There should not be any playing to the gallery. What is desired is the resurging of our national interests coupled with a narrative that should not be appeasing to anyone. Germans, Cubans, Chinese and even Japanese did that after a disenchanted history of their own. Why can’t we?

The crux lies in taking a stand and, as Moeed Yusuf pointed out, it has to be pragmatic and unapologetic. It could be a multipronged charter, too. This synopsis will ultimately usher in a new lease in research, scientific advancement, human development as well as self-confidence as a nation in diversity. Only then can Pakistan rise and be recognised. As a nation of 220 million navigates a new era of geo-economics and a world that is witnessing multiple power zones, its narrative has to be scholarly, vetted in historic pride, and cohesive.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2021.

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