9 reasons we should be proud of being Pakistani
Despite Pakistan being portrayed in a negative light in the media, we do have things to be proud of
PHOTO: MEMEABAAD
With Pakistan being portrayed in a negative light in the media across the world, it may not come as a surprise that some of us may not feel particularly proud to introduce ourselves as Pakistanis to a new group of people. Despite being at the forefront of the media for all things negative, here are a list of reasons why we should be proud of being Pakistani:
1. The whole world seems to think that we are an undesirable tourist destination, sending out travel advisories almost on a monthly basis but we will move mountains to extend our hospitality to visiting foreign guests. And let's not forget the mountains and valleys in the northern areas.
2. We have the innate ability to absorb massive amounts of collective self criticism- Pakistanis just love to (and) criticise everything about their own country and society: from politicians and sportsmen to their military and just about every celebrity under the sun - and still end the day with a smile on our faces.
3. We find humour in absolutely any situation - you will find this in how we deal with the hapless travails of our national cricket team to the utter lack of even a semblance of governance by successive elected governments.
4. If there was a ranking of countries based on the level of mastery of 'jugaar' (its closest English equivalent would be 'improvisation'), we would come out on top. Our plumbers, mechanics, electricians and the like have unconventional and simple solutions to the most complex of situations.
5. We were ruled for almost two hundred years by goras who plundered our natural resources and riches and took our cultural history and artefacts to their museums without compensation - but we bear them no ill will and welcome them with open arms when they visit our country.
6. We are open-hearted than most other nations. Go to a grocery store in your mohalla and if you are a few rupees short, more often than not the shopkeeper will have no issue with it. Try doing this at Tesco's or ASDA.
7. We are way hotter than arch-rivals India - just go ask Rega Jha
8. As a society and nation we are a bit like the Energizer Bunny -- we just go on, and on, and on... regardless of what happens to things around us.
9. And then there's of course the mountains and our unparalleled natural beauty - we have 5 of the world's top highest mountains above 8000 metres, hundreds of miles of unspoilt beaches on the coast and one of the world's largest deserts.
1. The whole world seems to think that we are an undesirable tourist destination, sending out travel advisories almost on a monthly basis but we will move mountains to extend our hospitality to visiting foreign guests. And let's not forget the mountains and valleys in the northern areas.
2. We have the innate ability to absorb massive amounts of collective self criticism- Pakistanis just love to (and) criticise everything about their own country and society: from politicians and sportsmen to their military and just about every celebrity under the sun - and still end the day with a smile on our faces.
3. We find humour in absolutely any situation - you will find this in how we deal with the hapless travails of our national cricket team to the utter lack of even a semblance of governance by successive elected governments.
4. If there was a ranking of countries based on the level of mastery of 'jugaar' (its closest English equivalent would be 'improvisation'), we would come out on top. Our plumbers, mechanics, electricians and the like have unconventional and simple solutions to the most complex of situations.
5. We were ruled for almost two hundred years by goras who plundered our natural resources and riches and took our cultural history and artefacts to their museums without compensation - but we bear them no ill will and welcome them with open arms when they visit our country.
6. We are open-hearted than most other nations. Go to a grocery store in your mohalla and if you are a few rupees short, more often than not the shopkeeper will have no issue with it. Try doing this at Tesco's or ASDA.
7. We are way hotter than arch-rivals India - just go ask Rega Jha
8. As a society and nation we are a bit like the Energizer Bunny -- we just go on, and on, and on... regardless of what happens to things around us.
9. And then there's of course the mountains and our unparalleled natural beauty - we have 5 of the world's top highest mountains above 8000 metres, hundreds of miles of unspoilt beaches on the coast and one of the world's largest deserts.