Different lenses: Reflection on Independence Day

ISLAMABAD:

As Pakistan celebrates its 69th Independence Day, certain questions demand answers before the country could make any significant strides – what have we achieved and where have we failed as a nation? What the future holds for us?

Looking back, failures outnumber achievements. Pakistan, for instance, ranks 147 among 187 countries in UN’s Human Development Index.

More than 60% of the population does not have access to clean drinking water and more than 25 million children are out of schools; 40% of the population lives below poverty line with 9 million of them being homeless.

However, the urge to keep moving forward even in the face of adversity shows the resilience of the people. Despite many challenges, we have also progressed in many areas. Pakistan has two Nobel laureates and has won a number of world cups and medals in sports.

The Express Tribune spoke to a number of noted personalities from different walks of life to reflect on the country’s state of affairs. They pointed out challenges the country is faced with and gave suggestions for improvement.

Pervez Hoodbhoy, physicist, intellectual and writer 



“To me August 14th 1947 was a watershed of history. I suspect that had Jinnah and Nehru known the extent of tragedy that would follow, they surely would have acted differently and been more accommodative.

The jury is still out on that, 70 years later. The vote will be positive if Pakistan can provide a dignified life to its citizens, ensure justice and rule of law, and freedom of thought and belief.”

Kishwer Naheed writer and poet



“Recently in the conference in Moscow Prime Minister Nawaz said that by 2018 all Pakistani children will go to School. That seems unlikely as there are still 6.2 million children that do not go to school. Our govt needs to spend on building schools as the existing schools still lack proper infrastructure.”

Jamal Shah, painter, actor, writer and director



“This day intensifies the urge in me to spread awareness against exploitative decision making of corrupt elite, which ruthlessly abuses merit and prevents people from informed decision making.

I am sure, active and alert participation of youth, as true agents of change, will trigger a process of cleansing the country of fanaticism in every field. They will eventually replace the self styled decision makers with sincere, aware, dynamic, capable, brave and visionary leadership that will lead Pakistan towards its true destination. I dream of a free, prosperous and peaceful place, where life can breathe freely in harmony with nature.”

Fasi Zaka, TV host, satirist, political columnist



“August 14 only hits me when I am on the road driving. It reminds me of how strongly people feel for the country no matter how bad things get, and that’s an asset. But street celebrations are a microcosm of Pakistan; lots of exuberance, love, but with little civic mindedness or responsibility.

I’d like August 14 not to be a day of respite from the doom and gloom of state problems, but a day to celebrate again where we are collectively doing better.”

Muniba Mazari, artist and TV show host



“Let’s promise to ourselves that we will become the change that we want to see for our future generations. Let’s tell the world that Pakistan belongs to the brave hearts who have the courage to face challenges head on. Being an artist and the wheelchair-bound TV host I feel so happy that our media and art are flourishing.

Samar Minallah, human rights activist



“It’s a day, when one is reminded as to what it really means to live in a free country, of your own. However, one can’t help thinking whether we Pakistanis have genuinely been able to value this country.

Thousands of innocent children and their families, displaced from their homes from the tribal areas, are living as refugees in their own country; It’s time to reflect on our part. It doesn’t have to be anything heroic but little steps, genuine initiatives to build Pakistan as a happier, prosperous and safer county for our next generations. It has to start with ‘Me’.”

Soofia Mahmood, photographer



“Pakistan has been home to me and given me many blessings. However the day I can walk on the streets without being harassed and am able to express all my thoughts through my art or words without any religious judgment is the day I will say Happy Independence Day!.”

Uzair Jaswal, singer, music composer and actor



“Being a Pakistani is the most prominent part of my identity. As an artist, I believe that I represent my nation in more ways than one. Whether it’s by performing across the country, or around the globe, I never lose sight of where I come from. August 14 is the most exhilarating reminder of that.”

Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, Associate Professor of Political Economy 



The sad thing is that one has to think twice about answering a question like this because anything other than a gung-ho affirmation of state nationalism will immediately be decried as unpatriotic at best, and seditious at worst. For 68 years our rulers and those who peddle the ‘official’ version of history have harped on about the immutability of the Muslim ‘nation’ and the never-ending existential threat that ‘we’ face from the ‘foreign hand’.

But what about the injustices that take place within the land of the pure everyday? What about class exploitation, patriarchy and bigotry? These are questions that people in healthy, vibrant and democratic societies are encouraged to ask. One can only hope that on a 14th August somewhere down the line more people will own up to who we are – then we might actually be able to expect change in the lives of the majority of Pakistanis who are still waiting for things to get better, 68 years and counting.

Asim Akhtar, art critic



It’s a day of remembrance — of not remembering what we have achieved but of remembering what we have not. Since we count the pitfalls and shortcomings among our achievements, we can also afford to celebrate them. It takes 14 August to remind us that we love Pakistan by unfurling banners and waving flags, although conversely we leave no stone unturned to litter, sabotage and abuse the country that we claim to love so much.

We love our country but we don’t love the people who inhabit it. More than half the country’s population lives on the fringes in independent Pakistan, and ‘the future’ sells haberdashery and flower garlands at the signals.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2015.