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. We cannot make any mistakes and never made any mistakes in the past also. We have not told the truth about 48, 65, 71 and 99 wars.
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-best. 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, roads, infrastructure and other sectors, we haven’t. We are by and large an illiterate nation probably the world biggest nation of illiterates, liars, deceivers and fools. Poorly trained in all fields whatsoever, barely educated. We even have fake medical, dental colleges and universities awarding degrees to total illiterates. The state has totally abdicated its responsibility to protect its citizens. To make matters worse, we have put into place a syllabus that is based on lies, hatred, and vengeance, concealment of facts and only to further confuse our youth.
In many ways, the educated are far worse off than those who have not received formal education. Cheating is very 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. Exploitation of religion and hatred for India, Israel and America can open all possible doors of success for you. Mullah’s who 30 years ago rode bicycles are now riding SUVs worth Rs. 20 million and above, living in huge mansions, running businesses, travelling abroad in business class, staying in 5 stars hotels with limo on their disposal and no one dares ask them how they acquired all this wealth.
We are the most ill mannered and ill informed people in this world, even so called educated talk nonsense, tell lies 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, impolite and superstitious. Also, our moral, ethical and human values have declined to lowest point. Honesty is not a virtue that we are known by. We lie not only to the whole world even to ourselves. Look at our TV shows. We gift babies and meet djinns and even in 21st century firmly believes in black magic and instead of making decisions on specifics, truth and information go for Istikhara.
We ape other cultures but have totally neglected our own. We reject wisdom, knowledge, facts, truth, reality even commonsense that has been handed down to us by our forefathers in favour of alien ideologies. Some idolize Western countries. Majority idolize Saudi Arabia. And some turn to Iran. Our true friends are considered our worst enemies and real enemies who uses us to do their dirty jobs and who have pushed us towards brink of collapse due to fanaticism, religious radicalism and hatred for others are considered our main benefactors. USA who built our Pakistan Army, Air force and Navy even our economy during our infancy stages is hated the most. British who gave us a corrupt free functioning country with Railways, Tax Collection System, Independent Judiciary, Hospitals, Colleges, Schools, University, Bridges, Roads, Efficient Civil Servants, Armed Forces and others are considered as conspirators and evil.
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, China, Afghanistan and even Bangladesh accuse us of misdeeds with proofs but we audaciously deny.
We have let extremists take over our madrassas and expect them to interpret our 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 just kidnap and 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, repentance or national conscience. We are yet to apologize for our actions of the past. There is no debate, not even realisation over what our government did and how we should make amends.
The question of course that one needs to ask is where we go from here. We need to honestly look inwards and have a frank and sincere discussion with ourselves. Let us start by understanding that the world is not after us and we are after us. Many of the things we are accused or suspected of doing around the world have solid basis or foundation.
We also need to have some serious answers. For example, who is in charge of running the country? Civilians or few ill informed generals who think they know the world. 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 which might save this country from collapse instead of defence.
People talk about Pakistan as a failed state. Pakistan is not a failed state but its people are failing it without knowing what they are doing to the country and to future generations of this country. And these are not the poor, illiterate masses but the powerful and educated elite that are to be fully blamed. We as a nation 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 for surely that bubble will burst. Then what?
