Independence 2011

Happy 64th Birthday Pakistan! They say what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger. So far we have survived corrupt politicians, greedy generals, impossible bureaucracy, an unethical media, strikes, load-shedding, dishonest law-enforcers, trigger happy looters, robbers, rioters, and all sorts of criminal scum ever to walk the face of the earth. They just keep on coming like restless zombies, and yet here we are, still standing. Mashallah, now that's an achievement.

However, despite gaining independence from Britain 64 years ago, we are still slaves. Slaves to a system that is rooted in corruption, nepotism, and inefficiency. This system is so strong that it, to quote Morpheus, "... is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth. That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind."

Everyday, we wake up to news of strikes, target killings, looting, or rioting. It never stops. Day after day, the same thing keeps happening. It's like groundhog day, just with killings. A never ending cycle of viciousness... and we are stuck in it. People come and people go, and this system is still there.

Two years ago, I wrote about questioning ourselves and realizing the truth and striving to do the best for Pakistan. I asked for accountability for everyone for their actions, and to do away with injustice. Last year, I wrote about hope, and how we could overcome all obstacles with patience and unity. It all still rings true. We have to overcome ourselves, our inner demons, to truly overcome the system. To borrow from Rodney King, or Jack Nicholson, why do we keep doing this? Why can't we all work together for the greater good? Why can't we all just get along?

Pakistan was built on the basis of religious freedom, tolerance, and justice. In his Presidential Address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, on 11th August 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said, "You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed; that has nothing to do with the business of the State." He also spoke about eliminating bribery, corruption and nepotism. He spoke about justice, fair-play, impartiality and cooperation. Have we forgotten his words so soon? Wake up Pakistan. Heed the advice of our founding father.

Its time to put an end to being Sindhis, Punjabis, Balochis, Pathans, Saraikis, Hazaris, Muhajirs, etc. and start being what we are; Pakistanis. Its Ramadan, and everybody loves to say that Pakistan was created in Ramadan too. Its time to stop saying that, and to start implementing what it means. Its time to end our petty differences, and work together. Its time to follow Quaid-e-Azam's guiding principles of Unity, Faith & Discipline, and as he said, make "... Pakistan... one of the greatest nations of the world." Inshallah.

Dil Dil Pakistan, Jan Jan Pakistan.... Pakistan Zindabad!

-Original article by Abdur Rahman, 14th August 2011