Don’t be surprised (V)

KARACHI: I am 43 years old and have always lived in Pakistan. Does that give me the right wholly and solely to criticise Pakistan? Do we not spend hours criticising how western countries have destroyed us, how immoral they are and how they have no values?

And then along comes George Fulton, this gora, who tells us “here is a mirror, please have a look and identify your faults” and all hell breaks loose! We say how dare this ‘gora’, who has only been here for odd number of years judge us. We think we are this pure nation with not a blemish on our face – well, we need to wake up and see the mirror. And that is all that George Fulton did – he showed us the mirror to our faces.

We need to listen and take note of criticism if we are to learn from our mistakes. From articles like this one, I have learnt that it will be my life’s mission to ensure that every child in Pakistan is taught human rights as a separate subject. And for all of you out there disrespecting George, they can read Fasi Zaka’s piece – it’s on the same lines and since it's written by a pure blood Pakistani people’s sensibilities will be less hurt.

Hadia Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2010.