My list of what’s wrong with our country

What I’m trying to accomplish here is point out areas you can get involved in.

I don’t know what to write about.  I’m sitting here, twiddling my fingers as my deadline creeps ever closer.  The problem?  In a world full of grey I’m only seeing black and white.  I’ve got nothing to argue about.  Let me give you an idea of where my head’s at, starting with Pakistan.

Flood victims ­­­— They need help.  Help them with money and things.

Rampant food inflation in a poverty stricken country — A hideous travesty that should — floods aside —be the focus of the government’s efforts to serve the people.

Taxes — Instead of constantly strangling the unfortunate few, the government should find a whole lot more people to strangle.

Rich MNAs (and presidents) —They should be doling out money like it’s going out of style (see above  Flood victims).

Statues commemorating (twice dismissed for corruption people!) leaders  — They should not be built.  Isn’t Islam against statues anyway?

Power generation — The public should be shown, clearly, concisely and honestly, why there is such a crippling power shortfall in the country.  Then they should be told, realistically, what the government is doing to overcome the situation, and when (REALISTICALLY!!!) the people can expect some relief.

Indian television channels —Let the people decide what they want to watch.  My aunt was born in 1929, an Indian, and she really digs her Indian dramas.  When they’re banned she gets really bummed out.  Seriously.  She’s 81.  You’re making her sad.

Cricket — Take these young kids, educate them, teach them about ethics, discipline and sportsmanship, and let’s farm some world-class talent.

Tennis — Aisamul Haq Qureshi is one classy Pakistani!

India — Let’s make some friends.  We’re never going to solve Kashmir, let’s agree to make it independent, stop the bloodshed, and move on with our lives.  If you don’t think that’s fair, just look at the scars of colonialism still slashed across Africa.  Life isn’t fair.  Besides, how else are we going to start diffusing power away from the military?

The military — Diffuse their power (and funding) away towards responsible civilian leadership.

Responsible civilian leadership — Develop it.  Use our votes and our voices to demand our rights.

So that’s pretty much my take on things, and it didn’t even take me 500 words.  I figure that I’ve saved the country quite a few sittings of the National Assembly, so they can just take their per sitting average cost and donate that for the relief of flood victims.  I’m sure the gesture will be appreciated.  No, no, don’t thank me.  I’m just a citizen, trying to help.

Now please, before you  crank up your computers to send me angry emails, please take a moment to realise that I am exaggerating a bit to make my point.  I know you don’t crank up your computers.  What I’m trying to accomplish here, with what is basically a list of some of the things that are terribly wrong with Pakistan, is to point out areas you can get involved in.  I’ve given you my suggestions, now why don’t you give me yours?  Now that’s something worth cranking up the old computer for.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2010.