After the First World War President Woodrow Wilson of the USA, put forward the idea of the League of Nations. The main purpose for its founding has yet to be fulfilled. It was a very idealistic model since states were not ready to let go of their interests. That is precisely what caused the Second World War. The nature of people and states in this world hasn’t changed much since.
Today I feel that quite a few people are living on that utopian cloud where peace, love, and tolerance reign supreme. Not only do they abide by quixotic ideas, but they preach them as well.
For the past few years I have heard of “Aman ki Asha” and “No to War” slogans, which sound very attractive indeed. Who would like to see blood and death? But that does not mean everything can be dealt with the potion of love and peace.
Just a few days back the nation celebrated 50 years of the 1965 War. I saw many people ridiculing the armed forces and questioning their credibility. Many said that war is no solution and asked why we were celebrating the deaths of our enemies.
I fail to understand as to how this argument is not applied to terrorists? Why was everyone favoring Operation Zarb-e-Azb? Why should Hafiz Saeed, Ahmed Ludianvi etc., be arrested or banned? Why were people rejoicing at Mullah Umar’s death?
If love is such an effective anti-hate arsenal then why don’t these “love preachers” take Taliban and sectarian killers into their homes as guests? Maybe teach them table manners over tea, dine together, send them to school, and educate them? They could maybe get designer clothes for them and take them to “halal” McDonald’s, Pizza Hut or the fast-food chains of their preference. I am sure this outpouring of “love and tolerance” will teach extremist to live peacefully.
To add to the utopian ideas, many of us want the Syrian refugees to come to Pakistan. First let us accept the refugees we have hosted since the 80s. Or maybe take in the IDPs who moved out as a result of Zarb-e-Azb?
Recently I found some PPP supporting friends cribbing and questioning what Raheel Sharif had done. They said he is paid to do his work and that they objected to what he was doing. Such statements always raise questions as to why no one thinks on the same grounds for these politicians. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir were leaders (not for many though), and were apparently working for the betterment of the people of Pakistan. So if like a soldier in battle they had to forgo their lives in the service of their electorate, what’s the big deal? They too were living off our tax money and were buried with money out of the exchequer. This analogy is applicable to every politician. Everyone got their seats through our votes. So why call them “shaheed” or glorify them more than they deserve?
No matter what these political party workers say or do, they can never reach the level of the soldier who lays his life for the motherland!
One of the friends said he did not mean to ridicule the foot soldier, because they never get the same treatment as their seniors, even though their sacrifices are far more superior. My only question to such people is where is this logic when a party worker dies for the leader?
When Benazir Bhutto was attacked in Karachi over 50 people were killed and many injured; how many of these die-hard followers remember them? Even the parties would not remember who they were.
We need to understand that everything needs to be handled differently. Policies in vogue about 50 years ago are not and cannot be applicable now, and hence are amended. In 1974 Bhutto declared the Ahmaddiya sect as non-Muslims to appease the religious factions and save his own seat. Zia-ul-Haq implemented more stringent clauses to add misery to the lives of the minorities. However, just this week after many years of “freedom,” a religious party leader has been arrested and put in jail for hate speech under the National Action Plan – a commendable action indeed.
If nothing else this one measure shows how policies have changed and are changing. Things are being dealt with a stronger intent.
We should, hence, thank our lucky stars that we have reached a point where things are changing and Pakistan has a more secure environment. Instead of cribbing and talking of utopian models let’s collectively visualize the glimmer of hope that things will be much better soon for a safe, peaceful and tolerant Pakistan.