Pakistan, the land we all call our home.
Let me preface this note by saying that I have keenly observed many events in my country, hence, this is me intimating my thoughts and views via an
Open Letter to Pakistan and its Residents.
To Whom It May Concern
Ever since the beginning of Pakistan, many significant political, economic and social events have taken place. Allow me to say this, for the umpteenth time that Pakistan is in a woefully sorry state – and I’m being very diplomatic here. This pseudo rainbow nation fallacy has to stop if we are to really deal with all the malaise in this country, which we keep on ignoring.
We all are living in a fool’s paradise with rose tinted glasses that only exacerbates the situation to irretrievable levels. So where does the main problem lie? The crux of the problem lies with the perception. It is the way people perceive other people that leaves a lot to be desired. Before, I go on, I would like to make this very clear: I know there are social evils all around the world. Societies are being doomed. Democracy is prevailing. People are fighting. And a nation is trying to trump a donkey.
But hear me out here, IT IS ABOUT TIME WE STOPPED GIVING A SHIT TO THE WORLD AND FOCUSED ON WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR BACKYARD!
Let’s begin.
Pakistan was supposed to be the land of the pure. But now, there are so many social ills that it’s incredible to see how they are completely ignored or buried under the blind law of justice. The depravity that some individuals in our society have to go through is gob smacking. There are fully grown beasts in shape of Men who molest and rape their biological daughters and there are women who neglect their children. There are parents who force their children into prostitution and then there are parents who enforce their wished on their children.
Then we have the popularity gaining issue of homosexuality. I know this is a very thorny and contentious issue, but I will tackle it head on. I hate to sound cynical but I do not believe one bit that people are born gay. Before I go any further please do not misunderstand me, I am not a homophobic nor am I against homosexuality – which is your choice. But I diametrically refute the notion that gay people are born that way. Homosexuality is not inherent or hereditary – it is a sexual preference; plain and simple. There is not a shred of empirical or scientific evidence to support the notion that one is born gay, and that is because of one simple reason: No one is born gay! It is a choice that people make in their lives. I am fine with that. However, you are not supposed to force people to become gay. Head over to some of the religious institutions here and you will see different levels of homosexuality being practiced.
Then we have the ever prevailing issue of Honor Killing. The name itself boils my blood. Killing in the name of honor of the disgruntled family. Which family are you talking about? Nuclear families that no longer respect the values of the society and the culture they are a part of? Or the families that believe in extremism and keep their children and themselves locked in, ignoring everything going around them? Admit it, we now have disjointed families that no longer respect relationship values. And who the hell are we to conclude that only women bring dishonor to families? A recent case where a British Women was killed for honor made headlines in the local media. As it turned out, she was raped before being brutally killed. Wow! That must have brought so much honor to the families. Their men must have been so proud of themselves. Let’s award them by dragging them by their penises to the court and chopping off their “manhood” – I am sure that would also bring honor to the family. Disgraceful. Pathetic. Lamentable.
The Pakistan of today, is without doubt, inversely proportional to the one Jinnah envisaged. Police brutality is at an all-time high. Just recently, two innocent teenagers were killed and shops in the famous Empress Market were looted – after being sealed – amid tight security. Ironic, isn’t it? Just roam in the streets of Karachi, and you will soon realize why there is a problem of Brain Drain.
Oh…speaking of which, have you ever wondered why Pakistanis leave Pakistan to settle abroad? So that they can make videos, upload them on YouTube, get a PayPal account, and live a tension free life. I happen to know a lot of people who moved away from their families because they were pressured to breed children until they had a Son. In some cases, the wife was tortured by the husband’s family. All for a son. What if that son decides to leave you, the parent, at an old-home, because he is tired of listening to your chap chap and wants freedom in his life? You would be heart-broken. Just like the hundreds of abandoned parents who are breathing their last few breaths inside these old-homes in Pakistan. Why? Because, we as a nation, respect our parents. If we cannot provide for them, or care for them, at least someone should.
Racism, the other “R” word we never talk about, is axiomatically still alive and kicking so to speak. When I went out in search of a Pakistani, for a few minutes, I did find a lot of them…however, it all subsided and I was left with people. Scattered souls. Willing to take lives for the sake of language, race, and, caste. Right now, in Pakistan, we have people who are Urdu speaking, Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pathan, Makraani, Memon, Gujarati, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isaayi, Lahori, Karachiite, Pindi Boys, Interior se aaye huay, Paindu’s, Jutt’s, Butt’s, Bohri’s, Shia, Sunni, Barelvi, and so on. Boy…we have one diversified nation. Oh wait…I thought I was looking for Pakistani’s. Oh well…couldn’t find many.
Then we have the prevailing issue of poverty. More and more of our citizens are descending deeper into the doldrums of poverty. I shall not be tempted to politicize this analysis; I shall instead endeavor to be as objective as possible so as to circumvent a haphazard argument. The rich are getting richer because they are paying the same amount of tax – some of them are – as that which is paid by a middle-class earner. Oh…sorry, Pakistan does not have a middle-class. In Pakistan, you are either rich, or you are dead.
Phew that was some anger venting.
Now, if I can make the interdisciplinary juxtaposition between today’s society and that of 50 years ago, we can see many running parallel narratives insofar as the depths of the decay in morality in each society is concerned. Today’s society has disintegrated into the immoral abyss. Over time, we have become desensitized to the most abominable actions of our fellow countrymen. Sure we would all like to bask in the quasi-ambience of us as one, united nation that stands together when war mongering takes place. However, I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, that all those who believe in the aforementioned belief are misguided and gullible to the utmost extreme. One would be forgiven for attempting to counterbalance the good with the bad, which is a commendable thing, however, it is an incontrovertible fact that the proverbial scale is heavily lopsided towards the left in lieu of the antithesis.
The disillusionment of the majority in this society has permeated and pervaded the entire Pakistan. The tired rhetoric of pre-textual positivity projected by the government, with aggravated figures, has long reached its sell by date. The state of this nation as purported by the powers that be is pure quintessential bureaucratic drivel. The opacity in governance, the slipshod delivering of essential and constitutionally guaranteed basic rights and services, the ubiquitous corruption, the omnipresent unemployment and leadership devoid of intelligence paint a very bleak picture, in fact, a vacant canvas. I am, by no stretch of the imagination, a prophet of doom or Mr.10% Optimist, I am however a Neo-Liberal Realist and my assertion is that this country collateral with the microcosmic society, is a joke!
Also published on Medium.
