Contagious National Obsessions.

Pakistan is a nation that is in a state of war; against militancy, polemic religious extremism, and the Taliban’s brand of Islamic Jurisprudence. With an ongoing military operation in the north, terrorism plaguing every other two feet of the country, a not-so-impressive government, several ‘incredibly revolutionary’ political parties, a not-so-wonderful economy, and rifts among the sons of the same soil, Pakistan is not exactly the happiest place in the world right now.

Though, the recent T20 World Cup victory managed to overshadow the woes and pains of so long in so little time; temporarily, at least. The wave of joy was felt throughout the country. Every citizen let go of race, caste, creed and religion to celebrate the Pakistani cricket team’s victory as citizens of one land.The feeling of unity and the sense of belonging to the nation were perhaps, the most precious gains obtained in the entire process of revival la nationalism.rush of calls, text messages, status updates on networking sites, and the sarcastically victorious messenger display names and pictures were displays of revived nationalism, or the first few signs of it.

Citizens poured out on the streets to celebrate. One cannot but truly marvel at the unpredictable yet timely patriotism of the Pakistani Nation.The cricket mania and the urge to root for one’s national cricket team was incredibly contagious. The T20 cheer-for-Afridi-and-Younas-if-you’re-Pakistani epidemic spread like wildfire. This epidemic caused us to cough nationalism and sneeze victory.At a time as depressive as this, this was exactly what Pakistan needed. The fear, the terror, the wrath, the War was suffocating. And the T20 World Cup victory gave the entire country a reason to smile and have hope and faith all over again. It was a reason for us to take even more pride in the fact that we’re Pakistani. At the end of the day everyone forgets who’s Pathan and who’s Punjabi, who supports PPP and who supports MQM. It boils down to just this: we’re all Pakistani and proud, and we won the T20 World Cup 2009. This win has showed to many Pakistanis that with a little hard work and sincere effort, Pakistan is capable of just about anything. And the inability to tackle each challenge is not a reason for us to lose hope in our country but a chance for us to ready ourselves till we are competent enough to bare with what not.

The Pakistani Cricket team has put forth an example of teamwork and unity of tremendous importance; we see the team consists of Pathans, Balochis, Punjabis, and Sindhis and yet they made a combined effort to achieve one common goal. The country is in a similar situation. We all want a better Pakistan and we all want to see it rise, for this country is our identity. This country’s future is our common goal. For you are my identity and I am yours, being the children of the same soil. Religion, tradition, and norms are hindrances that are bound to interrupt our path every now and then, for this is the challenge. We must stand united no matter what. We see it’s worked in the past, it’s bound to work again.A unanimous vote on anything will not (cannot) be ignored. So when you make your decision, know that it’ll affect the entire country and look beyond personal benefit. Leave your choice free of nepotism.The National Obsessions are contagious, and very influential. Each victorious obsession leaves behind for us a generalized message. This is what the victory at the T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament had to teach us.

People Of Dir

Recently in Dir, villagers, who had been enraged by a suicide bombing in a mosque at the time of Jummah prayers that left 33 dead, have now taken it upon themselves as duty to defeat the barbarian forces and have managed to kill around 15 militants. The wrath of the people for the Taliban is now becoming more and more evident. Villagers formed ‘lashkars’ and raged in 5 villages where the Taliban were taken to be based. The locals are said to be determined to drive the Taliban out of their territory and their lives. Newspapers state that even before the ongoing military operation began, ‘bands of tribesmen in various parts of the northern areas had expressed a determination to act against the Taliban’. On several occasions, unfortunately, their resolves were met with suicide bombings targeting anti-Taliban gatherings.Though, the fact that the militants now seem to be retreating could encourage local people to make, perhaps, more efforts against the Taliban.With utter relief, it is becoming more and more obvious that the people are no longer willing to tolerate any more atrocities.The protesting of people against the Taliban, however, may play a vital role in the struggle against their elimination.We all are aware of the fact now, hopefully, that these ‘well-intentioned holy men’ seek hideout amidst local population; once the local population kicks them out, they’ll have no where to go. No where to hide. No place to hide their hideous crimes and filthy minds and bodies.Here, we must note that for the local people to act against the Barbarians, it must be made clear to all, that the state will stand by them in their mission to rid us of the Taliban completely.Newspapers state that in many places that people are worried and fear that the Barbarians are not truly gone. In Swat, militants’ leaders have warned residents/ villagers that ‘they shall return’ before they retreated to the mountains; hurrah to the courage of our people for their bravery, as they demonstrated a strong disliking of even the prospect of their return and that they are more than “unwilling” to accept any such future.These people need to be encouraged as a means to challenge the militants and isolate them from the people who they have, in the past, claimed to represent.

Depressive Scenario: The Treatment Of Animals at the Lahore Zoo

We are now, no different from the people who once lived in caves and we’re literally beasts. Though, even in comparison to them, we fail to rise in their equivalence. At least they treated animals like living creatures. The treatment of animals at the Lahore Zoo is no less than the treatment of any prisoner in jail; and even there, those prisoners have done something perhaps to deserve it, what have these poor animals done? These animals have no voice (at least one which us humans understand; though, given the current scenario of our treatment of animals, I really am skeptic of the form of our existence). They cannot protest, they cannot fight back. They are helpless. These helpless creatures are defenseless of the injustices shoved at them. At the zoo, there is no medical facility, nothing of which to cater to the basic needs of these trapped animals. Given how soon they die after being put in the Lahore Zoo, I’m pretty sure they’re not given food on regulated timings. Water, is a dream for these captured wanderers; and if by any chance their dream is fulfilled, it is water in a bowl from the gate-keeper’s toilet, perhaps inclusive of piss.These animals need our help. Despite the fact that day by day we learn something new and eventually more and more children of our nation are being educated, we are not heading in the direction of civilization. We carry our law and philosophy books, we eat with forks and knives; yet we kick the stray cats and dogs that cross our paths. Sad as it is, our books and knowledge is of no use if we haven’t become the least bit civilized to care for other living creatures. We are then, inhuman. Corruption, ruthlessness, cruelty… all has a new address. Our country. I do not tend to let them stay. And am sure, neither do you. The Lahore Zoo, may continue to import rare white tigers (or any other nearly extinct/rare animal for that matter) but we shall not sit and watch them kill them like they killed the rest. We shall not watch them ruin and destroy more animal lives. Action must be taken; that’s a given. We should try and organize a volunteer service that will cater to the needs of these creatures. This service would need vets and every other volunteers who want to save these animals from being victims of this unjust treatment.

Woes Of Those Who Care

"Bloody Pakistanis". I overheard my pakistani born american cousin curse at the top of his lungs when the electricity went out and his videogame shut down unsaved. That was my moment of epiphany.
No matter how excessively annoying the load-shedding may be, no matter how hulk-nature inducing WAPDA's inefficiency may be, it is not an excuse to cuss a country; least of all mine.
My epiphany was of multiple parts; but the one part that significantly sticks its head out in the window of my tiny mind is the question of why we've ended up the way we have, and what's the solution?
While I pondered over this for a bit; I wondered if it is the load-shedding that enrages us. But I would be naive to think it so. I would just be closing my eyes and ridding myself of the obligation to truly see, not make the answer disappear. And it would be slightly stupid. Because by now we would have killed each other, given the amount of load-shedding going on. There's something deeper.
Why is there load-shedding? Poor management of scarce resources. Who manages these resources? The governement. Who is the government? What is their job? Is good governance being carried out by the people governing us?
These questions need answers; and once they are answered perhaps we'll be able to work towards a progressive Pakistan.
The people governing us, were once the people we are now. They were not born in power. They got it. But they're not good enough anymore. They were one of us. They were a chunk of the public. They were, once, a normal pakistani. Then can we state, that if our youth is trained from the very beginning to work towards the betterment of the nation, we have a chance at a better Pakistan? Yes. I believe it is. The youth and it's empowerment is a solution; it is a ray of hope. It is a shot at the betterment of my country.

If our youth is taught to think and implement. If they are taught to deal with more than one issue at a time, if they are taught to come up with strategies to deal with situations, if they are empowered, then perhaps one day, we'll have a good leader.
Pakistan at this moment is falling down a bottomless pit of doom; politically, socially and economically. And I believe if our youth is trained to combat this falling of ours, we shall be a progressive Pakistan. I do believe that Youth Empowerment is the answer.

Given the current governing bodies and the current situation of Pakistan, we need change. And if these oldies, who are now no longer good enough (I refer to politicians) stay put then we are going nowhere. We need to urge the youth of Pakistan to become politically active and have them resolve issues. Ventures like YLC (Young Leaders Conference) are good ideas.

We do not have a solution to every problem; but we have ability to come up with resolves comprising slightly but never the less the least bad choice. We musn't give up. Let's think and implement. Think now, implement when we're incharge.

Straddling the Fault Line.

Even after 62 years after being founded by Jinnah, my country still hasn't confirmed as to which grounds it stands on. Moderates and extremists' rifts have been happening through the years but now, my country's grieviances have dared to pour out on the streets. Having nuclear technology and the seventh largest army, my country still hasn't stood united even once. Our governments have invested millions in our defence/military and have overlooked the basic needs of my people such as food, health, shelter, security, and.. hope?

The Taliban have caused disturbance in the mass. In the name of Islamic Jurisprudence these wild primitive men of the north have destroyed not only faith in joy but faith in religion and God. They imprint on our minds such an image of Islam, that people see it nothing more but a terrorist code. Faith is not logical, but why believe in a supreme being is somewhat explainable. And when these well-intentioned holy men --*scoffs*-- "preach" Shariah, no body no longer sees any reason to have faith; well, atleast those who have read and understood.
I cease to understand why people who are literate and well aware; of Islam, talibanized Islam, and the effects of talibanization; conform to the propound of these, as Samad Khurram best puts it, Flintstones.

The Taliban have polemic, extremist approaches that have not been verified by any recognized means; as on they have ceased to provide proof of their belief or doing. Of late, I've met, talked to, people, who are educated and know the situation well, 'academics' they're suppose to be, who actually don't mind the Taliban taking over and Baitullah Mehsud screwing my country and my people completely.

Unfortunately, again, my people do not stand united yet again. They don't get it. When people are powerless and vulnerable and unaware, that is when they are easily manipulated; and that is what is happening to my country right now. The Taliban are manipulating the mindsets of many.

Yes, America and India are threats, but the Taliban are the threats within!

Quaid-e-Azam left us with "unity, faith, discipline". Out of three, we have none. To progress and not be a stagnant society, we need all three. Let's work towards it. Let's make a change.

Let's not fight amongst ourselves and let's stand upto the major threat in the face: SAY NO TO TALIBANIZATION. Let's be one. One nation. With one visulized dream and hope: A progressive Pakistan.

And let me add, the term "talibanization" does not refer to the puring of barbarians from hilly areas into a muslim state; it is the manipulation of vulnerable minds. So help stop it. It is the manipulation of those who are deprived of basic needs like education and food. Manipulation of those who give in to the ideas of well-intentioned holy men *scoffs* in order to gain "do-waqt-ki-roti".

Stop them from hurting my people physically, mentally and/or financially. Have the courage to abhor what's wrong no matter what society says, and have the acceptance power to adhere to what's right without taking into account only personal gain and loss.

-Emma.

:D

Hello.

First post.

:D