A united Pakistan; Their biggest FEAR
By Mac Nurv • Jul 1st, 2009 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 7 CommentsAmbrose Bierce, a prolific journalist and a short story writer of master pieces such as “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” and “The Devil’s Dictionary”. One of his short story with a big lesson goes; an old Man, afflicted with a family of contentious Sons, brought in a bundle of sticks and asked the young men to break it. After repeated efforts they confessed that it could not be done. “Behold,” said the Old Man, “the advantage of unity; as long as these sticks are in alliance they are invincible, but observe how feeble they are individually.” Pulling a single stick from the bundle, he broke it easily upon the head of the eldest Son, and this he repeated until all had been served.
Most of us have read different versions of this story in our textbooks; some might have read in English, others in Urdu but the lesson is lost to us all. Today we live in a plutocracy where few rich elites rule over 180 million slaves. This plutocratic elite is known as “THE ESTABLISHMENT”, consisting of a union between Army, Feudal/Politicians and Businessmen, with the later controlling 85% wealth of Pakistan.
Today the only place a united Pakistani nation exists is songs and stories, the reality is sad and disturbing. Pakistanis are divided along every conceivable line; language, ethnicity, religion, the list goes on and on. Existing as 180 million humans with 180 million differences being forced to live together in an uncomfortable proximity because don’t have a choice. It was not always like this there was a time when all of us liked to call our selves Pakistani’s rather then Pakhtoon, Punjabi, Sindhi, Balouch e.t.c.
“Divide and Rule” was the policy of British Empire in 18th and 19th century to rule India, today being effectively used by the establishment. There is nothing they fear more then a nation united, which will take down their tyrannical rule. As a result they have grown paranoid to say the least. Elaborate shows are putted up to divide the opinion and sideline the important issues.
General Zia ul Haq can be accredited with the large scale implementation of this policy. He used politicians, religious leaders and other state tools to achieve this task. What followed is now a part of history, effects of which are being felt to this day.
It is not as if the nation has never been brought together; the biggest show of standing up to the challenge in recent times was 2005 Kashmir Earth Quake. We witnessed unprecedented effort from Peshawar to Karachi, especially the younger generation showing determination and commitment as never seen before. The elite fearing this sentiment could actually forever route out the implanted hate among us got to work of sabotaging and successfully with in months back to status quo.
Fast forward four years and today we are faced with a threat calling them selves Talibans. As a result over 3 million people from different parts of NWFP and FATA were forced to leave their homes and live as refugees in their own country. Once again an effort similar on a scale to that seen in 2005 was needed but failed to materialize not to mention a state of virtual civil war being ignored. The problems being faced by IDP’s require a separate writing, as what’s being done is very little. A small Sindhi nationalist party went on to protest against the entry of IDP’s into Sindh, with the backing of a political party currently a part of coalition in both provincial and federal government. What was the motive, Taliban entering as IDP’s or fear of loosing constituency or some thing other?
In past 5 years, barely a month passes without a bombing. This wave of terrorism has deeply affected the psyche of people and has made us desensitized to the whole situation. During these desolate times Pakistan won crickets T20 world cup, once again bringing long lost sense of joy to us all. This win was dedicated to the nation, especially to the IDP’s. The celebrations broke out across the country, once again bringing us all together. Clearly this made the already paranoid establishment worried and a new effort was launched to sabotage this sentiment. President Asif Ali Zardari is heading the latest effort by deciding to decrease water supply to Punjab and initiating debates about a new Siraiki province, effectively opening a Pandora’s box. The pressing question is not the one about the legitimacy of these issues but rather the timing chosen for addressing such issues, which could potentially divide the nation. It seems as the importance of a nation united against the threats being faced is completely lost on incumbents, hardly. Once again the nations attention is being divided on to issues, which will only result in deeper divisions.
It is about time we come together as one nation, accepting our diversity and turning it our strength rather then reasons to hate each other. The time is running out fast, the only effective weapon against this plutocracy is a nation united, other wise we will be forever lost in history.
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Right call dear.
I think the cause have united our nation in the past ( Wars, natural disasters like EQ, Atomic blasts) and will be the only binding force in future. But unfortunately we as a nation are out of big cause and vision now and hence vulnerable to divide and rule maxim (tool to rule the masses)
In my view (may be wrong) we can use corruption and lame attitude of our Politicians as a binding force for the nation. It shall reap us two benefits:
1. United we stand against intrusions.
2. Change of Political system may occur and common class may get representation.
both above are need of the time, but we badly need a leader to accomplish it.
Very thoughtful and well written…..my compliments to the writer !!
Good article.
People are tired of the same old story from the government or the person in power. They want to develop and see the changes tat are happening around in their own country.
One thing though why is it that you need leader do anything. Why cant you start the movement and once it gains momentum you will get a leader then. Leaders are not needed from the start of any movement.
The independence war that we fought against British rule, someone somewhere must have started it alone and once people started understanding, they became a group and once it started increasing in size the leader introduce to control and administer.
I myself started a small initiative on read manners. Tired of the way people ride their bikes and the traffic sense and blaring of horns. I while crossing a signal ask the persons with sarcasm about the riding rules and principles.
My only suggestion will be to start the action and not wait for the leader. Leader will come when she/he is needed. It may happen that you are the leader but you never knew about it.
We must get our act together and force produce a leader from among us and shouldnt wait for a miracle.
All of us want to change the world but none of us wants to change, and any one who wants to bring a real change have to change him/her self first. It is the duty of younger generation, my generation NOT to fail Pakistan as the previous one has done so. I am sorry it might sound harsh but over all generation of our parents have been a miserable failure, may be its not their fault, they just gave up on hope or never tried for a change.
Speak Free: Kudos to you, I agree with you we need to put our act together instead of waiting for a leader.
The more this need for change is realised the better it is, once this idea takes hold, there is nothing which can stop it. After all it was Victor Hugo who said “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come”, and its time.
Very Well written and eye opening effort, my salutes to you. I agree we should forget rest, we should start playing our role, an individual effort would initiate and chain reaction of supportive actions. One has to die anyway and when no body, why do something special and different for a change like getting united with out dicretion of religion, sects, languages and boudaries.