Where from here?

It seems we have hit the rock bottom! The economy has drifted so far, and presumably so fast over the last one year, that it might take years to recover. Political polarisation is at its peak with mud-slinging on petty issues – something which can deservedly be called dirty politics. And society feels disowned and individual citizens discarded. The state institutions, instead of working in harmony towards the common good, are pitched against one another seemingly fighting their own turf wars. The enormity of challenges and complexity of problems continue to push the country to an unknown horrible destiny with no ‘leader’ worth the salt coming forward to look beyond his/her nose and salvage the sinking boat!

Every year begins with ambivalence and indifference! Ask any Pakistani living here or abroad and you would see most people attributing their socio-economic problems to political leadership. Since the independence, a culture of palace intrigues and power politics has evolved which keeps competent and honest people at bay and lets the elite class take turns. Pakistan at present stands at the crossroads; its nuclear capability, its huge population, its geographic position, and most importantly, its ideological foundation make it the centre of gravity for the whole world. But at the same time, political instability, religious intolerance and economic meltdown lead the country to a state of despair.

The question of whether Pakistan will survive and move forward as a strong and prosperous country has no answer in ‘no’ or ‘yes’. It all depends on what we sow today. We, as a nation, are growing up in an environment where family, schools and other state and social institutions have almost abdicated their responsibilities in connecting us equally well to the past and future. In other words, we do not have the right lens to make sense of the world we are living in.

When we see that corruption pays, when we hear that might is right, and when we observe that wealth is the measure of success, we will have no choice but to follow the spirit of time. The future of Pakistan depends on our actions today. If we want it to be a safe place to live in, our leaders – not the political leaders alone – at home, at school, and in the society at large would have to clarify the vision of Pakistan through their actions more than slogans and symbols. They will have to be the role models for the youth to emulate. Pakistan is rich in human and natural resources; the problem is a persistent leadership crisis.

The youth in Pakistan, like anywhere in the world, can move the mountains. They can do wonders if they are exposed to understand what lies ahead and be prepared for it. Unfortunately, what is happening today to the youth is making them the weapons of mass destruction. Extremist tendencies, shaped by a narrow worldview, have pushed Pakistan into fire. Also, blind following of liberalism is making the youth cut from its roots. Both extremism and liberalism make Pakistan what it was not destined to be.

Given the structured nature of opportunities and problems, people in general have accepted the existing order as predestined that can and should not be altered in any way. Those who talk of revolution – provided they really mean it – have to change this underlying narrative. It is here that media can play an effective role. But unfortunately the media – which is supposed to stand up for truth, speak truth to power, and protect the rights of marginalised classes in society – is bitterly divided playing either to the gallery or speaking of the powerful and for the powerful.

Each one of us has a role to play in defining and defending the future of Pakistan. Given the present circumstances, we pulsate between hope and fear, between optimism and pessimism, and between friends and foes. We are confused at best and indifferent at worst. The history gives us lessons but we don’t learn any and the result is that history repeats itself to our disadvantage. We need to rise to the occasion and try to understand the dynamics of a nation — its rise and fall, its strengths and weaknesses — in order to know where we are and where we ought to be!

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2023.

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