At the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy, people talk about morality, creativity and spontaneity. But 2011 saw most Pakistanis move down the hierarchy of needs, with most now at the last two stages: safety and physiology.
Public libraries, cinemas and malls come later. Most Islamabadis and Pindiites want the basics covered first. We asked people around the twin cities what they wanted from 2012.
Following is a snapshot of what they had to say.
Basic needs
There is a sizeable chunk of people who want the basic necessities of life, without having to spend an undue amount of effort:
Master Tariq (a tailor): Even though I am grateful to God, I am still worried. Electricity cuts made me suffer and I even had to let one of my karigars (workers) go. I simply wish for less electricity cuts and prosperity for everyone.
Zohare Haider (Wi-Tribe): Electricity, gas, fuel, affordable vegetables.
Samar Minallah (women right activist): I want to see peace in the twin cities along with no gas, water or electricity load shedding.
Dr Javed Hayyat (Holy Family Hospital): Affordable public transport. I also want to see greener and cleaner twin cities, with no load shedding of gas, electricity and water.
Naseeruddin (a fruit vendor): Do you know the prices of fruit! I’m barely making ends meet. No one wants to buy fruit. All I want is to survive. Allah reham karay (God have mercy)!
The desire for freedom
Others said they want peace and freedom from 2012:
Amjad Jamal (World Food Programme): I want to see all the security barriers on Islamabad avenues removed so that I can roam around freely in my city, especially on the Constitution Avenue.
Wes Malik (CityFM89): The security check posts removed from the roads; an underground subway system in Islamabad.
Dr Samia Baber (director of Health Awareness Society): I want all the politicians to be kicked out from Islamabad so that there is no VIP culture and security issues.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed: I want to see peace, tranquillity and lots of development.
Minority rights
Bushra (a maid): As a Christian this year was very hard for us; I wish that next year God brings us together and there is happiness and peace.
Muhammad Atif Sheikh (President of STEP): I want to see ramps [for people with disabilities] all over the twin cities.
Aqsa Khan (Executive Director WORD): A justice department for the effective implementation of laws passed in 2011, especially for women; comprehensive legislation for domestic violence, acid crimes and women workers in the informal economy; effective representation of women in decision making, economic and political leadership.
Preservation of Islamabad
Some people fear change will kill the very essence of Islamabad. So they wished for things to not change much:
Sahar Abbas Baloch (student): I want Islamabadis to take a stand against excessive construction in the coming year, and protect the flora and fauna of this beautiful city.
Harris Khalique (writer, poet): I want to see an efficient public transport system functioning in twin cities rather than the widening of roads for private vehicles at the expense of trees and greenbelts.
Rafeel Wasif (works in an NGO): People want new cinemas, new roads, shopping malls, but they don’t know what these things will do to this city. From 2012, I want the promise that Islamabad will remain what it is. I still love the small green belts that creep up every five minutes. I love the silence and solace of the place, which are disappearing fast.
Eisar Haider (research associate at an NGO): Hasty expansion, receding greenbelts and traffic holdups are just some of the scars that mar the grace and beauty of Islamabad. I want 2012 to be a year of peace, of art and culture, of promises kept and hopes sprung.
Simple wishes
Raja Farooq (taxi driver): I want my business to flourish. This year has been good for me, I bought two taxis and in the coming year I want to open a shop.
Bilal (electrician): I wish that by the end of next year, my workshop exceeds my expectations and we shift into a bigger working place.
Rezz Ali Shah (Rezz Events): Ten H belts, shoes, jeans and jackets and 100 fashion launches and shows. I love working!
Nadeem Mirza (unemployed): I have been looking for a job for the past three years. In 2012, I want a proper job.
*Compiled by Bilal Iqbal. Sehrish Ali, Sehrish Wasif, Usama Zafar, Vaqas Asghar and Azam Khan contributed reporting
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2012.
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& I want PTI in Government..