Mohsina Asif – My Bit for Change

Loving Pakistan Against the Odds

Pakistan- a word I’ve been hearing since my first day but every single time I hear it and interpret it, the familiar sense of belonging and feeling of love is rejuvenated. I’ve heard it under muffled voices as my grandparents would narrate their childhood stories; we would squeeze beside them under the blankets and awe at the thrilling events of 1947 while we munched peanuts and walnuts. I, then grew up and with time the voices spelling out Pakistan changed as well. I remember the gasp which would travel around the class every time our teacher shared an unusual fact regarding Pakistan. Then, I heard some people pronouncing it spitefully, executing particular stress on it during their heated debates. At times, the word reflected hopelessness and despair while at others it spoke of elation, pride, enthusiasm and determination. The tones and speakers were of great variety but a single thing remained unimpeded- the name never ceased to leave an impact on my heart. Either I speak of it in a mediocre manner or chant “Pakistan Zindabad”. I speak of it as one would speak of a cherished family member.

It wasn’t I who chose Pakistan as an identity, culture, lifestyle or a possession. Instead, Pakistan chose me to breathe in its air and walk upon its soil; I was invited to experience the feeling of being at home and being loved at this part of the world.

Since my young days I have been witnessing argument about Pakistan and its issues but all along I’ve been no more than a reticent listener. People are prepared to alienate their homeland and consider a single ticket, a single flight to be their key to success because it’s hard for them to see this country prosper. However, amidst this devastation I see a smile. I see it beaming through the tears and scars and just when I have been disheartened enough to turn around and join the crowd I see a glisten in those sorrowful eyes. The eyes have put behind the grievances as they stare at me hopefully. I see trust and belief in them, an unhampered belief that if not this time then the next or maybe some other time Allah would help and heal those scars. And, despite the disappointments it has had to face it still believes the people are worthy enough to be relied upon. I cannot abandon my idealism after finding life beneath the dead.

It will be hard to believe if you claim to have never lost anything because of Pakistan or to Pakistan. There were times when I stumbled and I, too lost my confidence in this country but when I stood up I had even greater zest because I realized it were my hopes which still give the green-white flag a reason to stand tall. It’s your ideology and vision which will help Pakistan to overcome the tribulations, thrive and rise to the long forgotten glory, it’s actual destination.

Prophet (SAW) is reported to have said,

“And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.” (Tirmidhi-Saheeh)

Say No to Extremism – Stand Up

What happens when events recur so often that we become accustomed to them? They end up becoming a part of our lives and we learn to live with them.

Pakistan came into existence because it was seen as the sole solution to safeguard the rights of the minority i.e. Muslims. However, the very basis of the creation of Pakistan was soon violated by its people; a country where Quaid had promised utmost respect and security for the minorities became the breeding ground for extremism and intolerance. A country which had been envisioned to be a land of justice has faced nothing but disappointment because we all failed to live up to the expectations of the father of the nation. We have not been able to make the country into what it was supposed to be.

It might be a just argument to say that it’s not the ‘us’ but ‘them’; the terrorists, the extremists, the corrupt politicians and the rival countries adamant to crumble our country. However, we have failed to grasp the fact that in reality we are the ones who are nourishing this injustice and violence. What else can make those militants who are not even 1/10^th of the population annihilate our peace? We believe that we cannot make a difference by talking about sectarianism and genocides, that we are not capable of changing the course of things. We have made our lives congested for ourselves, being oblivious to everything happening around us and remaining silent to the attacks intended at minorities. And once we allowed this oppression to exist, its grotesque growth became inevitable. In our country, each terrorist attack is treated as a forgotten memory and a ghost which lurks to haunt us. “Iss mulk ka kuch nahi ho sakta” and other such phrases define our meek submissiveness to fate. We have entitled ourselves as the ones in disdain, the ones who are helpless.

“The nation which reposes on the pillow of political confidence will sooner or later end its political existence in a deadly lethargy. (Quote by – James Madison)”

We are unaware of our potential, our real power. We are unwilling to believe that we are capable of bringing about the change, the ‘tabdeeli’ that is so much talked about these days. It’s not a single man, a single government that can revive peace in our country overnight. To get rid of the darkness of cruelty we have to gather ourselves, realize our strengths and work together. It’s high time we start owning responsibility for our current condition and realise that it was our negligence which has allowed thousands to be killed till now. Things will not change until we are prepared to change them, until we decide to talk about them and start thinking about the solutions. Discussing an issue is the first step towards eliminating it. Instead of running away from things which scare or hurt us, we should face up to them and start our own war against them, for peace. We should take the fate of our land in our own hands and work for its betterment and make sure that the sacrifices that were made to claim this piece of land which we call home don’t go in vain.