According to the encyclopedia "A nation is a grouping of people who share real or imagined common history, culture, language or ethnic origin, often possessing or seeking its own government". I have been wondering whether this definition really fits to the Pakistani situation?
Historically, the territories which currently comprise Pakistan, have never shared a common origin. Until 1971, Pakistan had another component which was separated from its present portion by 1000 miles of the Indian soil. Historically, this entire region is India and Pakistan was carved out of it.
There are as many cultures in Pakistan, as there are people in it. Pakistan has four or maybe five provinces, a number of territories, an entire no-mans land called the tribal belt, and provincially administered tribal areas. Every province has its own culture and then there are subcultures in every province and every district and division. The role of women in society is as diverse as the color of Pakistani soils.
There are thousands of diferent languages spoken in various parts of the country. Every language is distinct from the other one and everyone thinks their language will take them to the heavens. Urdu (a variation of Hindi) was adopted as the so called national language but only 5% of the population speaks it as their first language and only 40% of the population understands it.
Ethnically, the country is divided along all possible lines. Pakhtoons think that they are the superior of all the peoples of Pakistan. Punjabis are proud of their ethnic origin and look down upon pakhtoons, Sindhis are a totally different creed and Baluchis dont care about anyone. Then there are Hazarewaal, they have their own prides. There are thousands of other ethnic groups in every province of the country.
So what is holding them together? Besides the danda (stick) of the military rulers and police, there is not much holding them together. Its like a bag full of rats, ready to run if the bag mouth is opened. The only binding force for the Pakistani "Nation" is their common religion. 95 % of the country is muslim and the country is as divided on religious basis as on any other parameter. Sunnis, shias, ahmadis, ahle hadis, barelavi, etc. etc. all ready to cut each others' throats because everyone thinks that they are the God- chosen ones and they have the keys to the heavens.
There are only two contries in the world which were created in the name/disguise of religion; Pakistan and Israel. Both of them are faced with existential threats. I will leave it to you as to who will emerge victorious in this epic battle.
No doubt there are problems in Pakistan today; there are some historic reasons for them too, like the "founders" based it on hatred, two nation theory, was the biggest example of it. Successive dictators ruined the country for their own purposes; Gen Zia can be crowned for the most recent problems in the country, religious extremism and sectarian violence.
ReplyDeleteBut I don’t agree with the theory of hopelessness, I think, hopelessness is not the answer, the answer is courage, education, awareness and sincere leadership. I know this is not an easy job, but we saw in Egypt and Tunisia, that violence, Taliban, al-Qaeda is not needed for change. Change can come through peaceful means.
The crisis has somehow reached to its peak, and historically something happens, when it reaches to the peak. We can also expect some kind of revolutionary leadership in Pakistan, and it is not impossible, anything can happen.
Wonderful, now tell me how are you going to find those sincere people? will they be coming from the present lot of Elites? if not, then who is going to step up to the plate?
ReplyDeleteAnd btw its not hopeless, its hope less by which I mean dont hope any less from Pakistan ;)
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