A Chinese lady, who has lived in Pakistan for a dozen or so years, told me that in Chinese culture they abjure from sugar intake and view it as a soft poison. I saw evidence of the local version of slow poison at a PTV station. The entire lobby and hallway were plastered with photos of those associated with the ruling party, giving the impression it was party headquarters. When I questioned the display on the “glory wall”, there was a swift retort that “others did the same.”
It was an accurate response, which speaks volumes about the extent to which worship of the prevailing order has seeped into the DNA of officialdom and its minions.
It is verging on idolatry. Ironically, it occurs in a society with full knowledge that over-display of images is inconsistent with Islamic values. It is a value honoured more in its breach than in its adherence.
Within political parties, the full-time vocation of party members is fulsome praise of party hierarchy. Predictably, personality cults flourish and discussions centre on personality instead of politics. Clear and convincing evidence of this can be seen on talk shows and rallies. The message being sent to youthful members is that the way to go is to shower uncritical acclaim on party heads. Questioning the wisdom of decision-making within is considered an abominable sin. That is how the seeds of fascism are sown.
No wonder, the capacity of undertaking rigorous research, scrutinising facts, analysing data and thinking critically and independently have been degraded. One of the side-effects has been the incapacity to engage in the battle of ideas.
Bereft of this background and engagement, those sent abroad to project Pakistan invariably cut a sorry figure. Quite often, they are found wanting, neither being prepared nor having the requisite mindset. A culture that does not acknowledge hard work and homework shall continue to face setbacks, both at home and abroad. This is duly being reflected in diplomacy and policy.
Perhaps, it has not been well-thought-out why the nation continues to fall prey to embarrassment. Nor has its logical linkage to the foregoing been connected.
The shortcut route for currying favours through appeasement has devastating implications for merit. All too often, through this avenue, the unworthy barge ahead.
The predictable result is that, after all the trouble undergone for ‘doing more-and-more’, the country finds itself constantly on the back foot at international forums.
The firmly entrenched cultural habits of wailing, breast-beating, fingerpointing, and overreactions may provide some cheap solace, but they are not signposts to a path forward.
The virus of false praise and vicious calumny continues to spread with the instant information age playing the role-multiplying factor.
There is a perceptible shift in society toward extremes. The other side of extreme praise is extreme intolerance for opposing viewpoints. This is making society more rigid and close-minded and not receptive to the logic of fresh ideas. The culture of strong likes and dislikes is fostering an imbalance that threatens social harmony.
Over-compromise for tiny gains has the impact of soft poison.
The writer is an attorney-at-law and policy analyst based in Washington DC. He is the first Pakistani American member admitted to the US Supreme Court Bar.
Email: mowahid@aol.com