Patriotism versus pragmatism

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Pakistan na hee bana hota tu acha hota'. This phrase, uttered by my elders, often echoes in my ears, burns me to a crisp, yet concurrently, it renders me nonplussed.

The logic behind this notion is that, the endeavour of our founding leadership has been destroyed at the hands of the self-seeking bureaucracy and opportunistic politicians; what now remains is a landscape marred by terrorism, destitution, injustice, maladministration - a tunnel where many see no ray of hope!

Is this perception true? Has the unprecedented gift of independence been squandered beyond redemption? How can I, being a conscious citizen, justify my patriotism in the face of such bleak realities?

My stance might lack the logical and pragmatic wait. People call me an idealist, lacking the experience of life's hardships. My parents often remind me that my perspective is blinded by privilege - that I have yet to taste the bitter realities of the world. Yet history has shown us that change has always been driven by dreamers. Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, even our own Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, were dreamers who refused to bow to adversity. Had they submitted to pragmatism, their nations would never have witnessed light of justice and freedom.

A common contention I hear that Pakistan's downtrodden masses have been ostracised to such an extent that aiding them is a futile exercise. I am presented with the argument that dreaming of favourable circumstances in this land is equivalent to living in a fool's paradise. This logic suggests that Pakistan is no longer a place where one can hope for a bright future. I oppose this notion with all my heart. If we give up on this country, where does that leave those who have no means to escape? If those with privilege, choose to abandon them instead of striving for change, their suffering will only perpetuate. Immigration might bring individual success, but at what moral cost? Can we truly seek peace while leaving our own people behind in despair?

Belonging to the legal profession, I frequently witness struggles of the marginalised. People run from pillar to post seeking justice, only to be met with an indifferent system. This raises a profound question: if the handful of dedicated lawyers and activists would abandon their posts, who will remain to keep the dimming ray alive for such destitutes?

Criticising from the comfort of air-conditioned drawing-rooms is easy. Real patriotism lies in making an effort, however small, to bring about change. I admit that our individual actions may not make immediate or sweeping difference, yet, I am convinced that the seed of effort we sow today, will bear fruit for the generations to come.

Beyond the question of living in or leaving Pakistan, I often reflect upon a deeper dilemma: can we truly find contentment in serving developed nations that do not need us, when our own homeland longing for reformation? Is the security and comfort of our own lives more sacred than the cause of uplifting our own countrymen?

For me, dying while serving my own people is a far more honourable fate than passing away in comfort, having turned my back on my motherland. After all, the eternal delight lies in the service of the soil that nurtures us. Let us not surrender to despair but rise with determination.

The Holy Qur'an reminds us that change begins within: "Verily, Allah does not change the condition of people until they change what is within themselves." (Al-Ra'd, 13:11).

Iqbal's wisdom further inspires: "Afrad kay haathon mein hai aqwam ki taqdeer, har fard hai millat kay muqaddar ka sitara."

Pakistan stands at a crossroads of intense constitutional and political turmoil amidst an economic meltdown, yet history has shown that nations rise from adversity through resilience and collective effort. True patriotism does not lie in blind optimism or passive criticism; it lies in unwavering commitment to progress despite the odds. Our motherland is in dire need of individuals who embody this spirit. Pragmatism may lead to smooth path of escape or abandonment - but meaningful change is only possible through believing in the power of shared efforts.

Let us be the architects of hope, engineers of a stronger nation, and torchbearers of a legacy worth leaving behind.