Nation of world beaters
Pakistan is not a failed state but its powerful and educated elite are failing it.
The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
If there is anything that binds us together as Pakistanis, it is the myths that we have built around us. This is in addition to the conspiracies we believe in. Nothing can be in black and white. And we cannot be in the wrong, no matter what.
Let us start with how we perceive ourselves. It is a comment that is heard many times: “Pakistan mai koi talent ki kammi nahi hai.” We seem to make ourselves out to be such geniuses, only waiting to be discovered or given an opportunity. In this we assume that no other nation is as talented and given half a chance, we are world-beaters. And here we are not just talking cricket.
Nothing could be further from the truth. While nations around us have invested in social development – education, health and other sectors, we haven’t. We are by and large an illiterate nation. Poorly trained, barely educated. The state has abdicated its responsibility. To make matters worse, we have put into place syllabi that only confuse our youth.
In many ways, the educated are worse off than those who have not received formal education. Cheating is common in most public exams. This has evolved into our psyche. We live in a world of short-cuts because we see that those who push their way through or use unfair means usually end up getting what they want. And no one questions them.
We are ill mannered and boorish. On the roads, the more powerful you are, the worse you drive. We break lines as a matter of routine. We are quarrelsome and superstitious. Also, our moral values are on the decline. Honesty is not a virtue that we are known by. We lie even to ourselves. Look at our TV shows. We gift babies and meet djinns.
We ape other cultures but have neglected our own. We reject wisdom that has been handed down to us by our forefathers in favour of alien ideologies. Many idolize America. Others, Saudi Arabia. And some turn to Iran.
We consider ourselves to be champions of Islam. Jumping into every fight, whether it suits us or not. It is not without reason that Egyptian president Nasser once remarked sardonically that perhaps Islam started in August 1947. Look at our relations with our neighbours. Leave aside India. Iran, Afghanistan and even Bangladesh accuse us of misdeeds.
We have let extremists take over our madrassas and expect them to interpret religion. Similarly our national interest is determined by a handful whose vision is so limited that they believe the best way to suppress the anger of the Baloch is to kill them. The same decision-makers support talks with the TTP and look the other way when minority communities are targeted. Is there no one left with any common sense at the top?
Over the years, we have developed very thick skins. There is no sense of shame or national conscience. We are yet to apologize for our actions of the past. There is no debate over what our government did and how we should make amends.
The question of course that one needs to ask is where do we go from here. Perhaps we need to look inwards and have a frank discussion with ourselves. Let us start by understanding that the world is not after us. Many of the things we are accused or suspected of doing have some basis or foundation.
We also need to have some answers. For example, who is in charge of running the country? Why then are different organs of the state conspiring against one another. What is being done to check them? Also, why can’t the government impose a fair and equitable tax system and make sure that we spend money on our country’s development.
People talk about Pakistan as a failed state. Pakistan is not a failed state but its people are failing it. And these are not the poor, illiterate masses but the powerful and educated elite that are to blame. We try to pull each other down at any given moment. There is no sense of pride in who we are or what we do. And more important, we live in a bubble we have created ourselves. One day that bubble will burst. Then what?
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2014.
Let us start with how we perceive ourselves. It is a comment that is heard many times: “Pakistan mai koi talent ki kammi nahi hai.” We seem to make ourselves out to be such geniuses, only waiting to be discovered or given an opportunity. In this we assume that no other nation is as talented and given half a chance, we are world-beaters. And here we are not just talking cricket.
Nothing could be further from the truth. While nations around us have invested in social development – education, health and other sectors, we haven’t. We are by and large an illiterate nation. Poorly trained, barely educated. The state has abdicated its responsibility. To make matters worse, we have put into place syllabi that only confuse our youth.
In many ways, the educated are worse off than those who have not received formal education. Cheating is common in most public exams. This has evolved into our psyche. We live in a world of short-cuts because we see that those who push their way through or use unfair means usually end up getting what they want. And no one questions them.
We are ill mannered and boorish. On the roads, the more powerful you are, the worse you drive. We break lines as a matter of routine. We are quarrelsome and superstitious. Also, our moral values are on the decline. Honesty is not a virtue that we are known by. We lie even to ourselves. Look at our TV shows. We gift babies and meet djinns.
We ape other cultures but have neglected our own. We reject wisdom that has been handed down to us by our forefathers in favour of alien ideologies. Many idolize America. Others, Saudi Arabia. And some turn to Iran.
We consider ourselves to be champions of Islam. Jumping into every fight, whether it suits us or not. It is not without reason that Egyptian president Nasser once remarked sardonically that perhaps Islam started in August 1947. Look at our relations with our neighbours. Leave aside India. Iran, Afghanistan and even Bangladesh accuse us of misdeeds.
We have let extremists take over our madrassas and expect them to interpret religion. Similarly our national interest is determined by a handful whose vision is so limited that they believe the best way to suppress the anger of the Baloch is to kill them. The same decision-makers support talks with the TTP and look the other way when minority communities are targeted. Is there no one left with any common sense at the top?
Over the years, we have developed very thick skins. There is no sense of shame or national conscience. We are yet to apologize for our actions of the past. There is no debate over what our government did and how we should make amends.
The question of course that one needs to ask is where do we go from here. Perhaps we need to look inwards and have a frank discussion with ourselves. Let us start by understanding that the world is not after us. Many of the things we are accused or suspected of doing have some basis or foundation.
We also need to have some answers. For example, who is in charge of running the country? Why then are different organs of the state conspiring against one another. What is being done to check them? Also, why can’t the government impose a fair and equitable tax system and make sure that we spend money on our country’s development.
People talk about Pakistan as a failed state. Pakistan is not a failed state but its people are failing it. And these are not the poor, illiterate masses but the powerful and educated elite that are to blame. We try to pull each other down at any given moment. There is no sense of pride in who we are or what we do. And more important, we live in a bubble we have created ourselves. One day that bubble will burst. Then what?
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2014.