Abnormal has become Normal in Pakistan
By Umar Tosheeb • Aug 30th, 2010 • Category: Worth A Second Look • 15 CommentsThirty years ago if someone had asked you where you are from, and if you had said Pakistan, the 2nd likely question to you would have been where is that? It is also likely you would have replied Pakistan is next to India, in south Asia etc.
There is absolutely no need for that anymore. Recently, I was reading that Indian call workers when explaining to their western, mainly American customers, where India is, had to tell them that it is a country next to Pakistan.
For sometime, and especially since 10 years or so, Pakistan has been constantly in the news and under world scrutiny for all the wrong reasons. If we were to simplify it, Pakistan is like Meera, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Hamas, Hebollah and Iran all combined into one. We’re the No.1 bad boy of the world.
There doesn’t a month or sometime even a week go by when Pakistan is not in the news, and things have gone especially bad since 9/11.
The accusations of Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan and double game started appearing in international media right after Afghan war; almost any bomb blast–be it in England, Spain, India or anywhere else–somehow somewhere all of them had Pakistani linked to them; then there was the earthquake, which destroyed most of the northern Pakistan, it had Pakistan in news for quite sometime; return of Benazir and her assassination kept Pakistan in the attention for 6-months; Musharraf made sure that he didn’t disappoint the world–with his emergency and then counter emergency, sacking of chief justice, lawyer movement, election defeat, and eventual resignation; just when we thought things will cool down now, the incompetency of democratically elected government started becoming obvious, the sugar crisis, the electricity crisis, the corruption–Mr 10%; and now we have the worst flooding in our history.
These are some of the things which have been attention grabbing for international community when it comes to Pakistan, there was plenty of domestic drama to go along with it too.
There is no other country like Pakistan, and if there had been one into similar sort of chaos, I think that country would have long disappeared. It is only Pakistan which can survive this kind of hard hitting again and again.
The only good thing that can be concluded from all this is that there is strong resilience in the face of calamity after calamity. May be worst is over, and if not, people should draw very important lessons from their recent history. They can’t prevent natural calamities from occurring, but they definitely can choose better leaders for themselves–next time–who would deal with the possible calamities in much better ways. And if people make same mistakes when choosing their leaders, they should be ready for next big hit, and that might be too powerful of a punch to recover from.
It is all in your own hands.
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I have BA in History and Political Science. Planning on going to graduate school. After doing metric from Pakistan, I came to USA. Originally from Gujrat Pakistan. I have interest in Pakistani history, politics and languages.
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Very well put. Great work.
Very true. This also applies on how we have twisted and enforced religion into segments where it was never really needed. This has resulted in planned degradation of our societal system. The need today is to cherish liberal and rational principles. That is our only chance back at normalcy.
i personally feel religion is a root cause of all problems worldwide. it is should be banned and if at all allowed to be practiced within the closed walls
Mr rrumur what a great advice - what would Hazarat Muhammad pbuh have said if he had heard what you wrote - I am positive Hazarat Umar RA would have cut of your head - when Islam came to the savages of the desert area of Suadia Arabia they became the great Sahabah RAs and Islam changed their lives and their nations and you say it should not be preached - its absence has invited Allah swts Wrath so please do think twice before uttering any filth or a calamity might destroy your home and family - apart from a minority who are practicing or putting an effort the rest are fun lovers,corrupt makers ………. etc etc ……. Ya Allah please guide us or we will surely lose the little of what is left Ameen!
i think Ms Khadija in her comment has so lucidly explained how religion is a curse
the anecdote she has given is of Umar who would have cut our heads off for practising free speech
this is exactly WHY religion should be banned, or made completely secular.
Honestly, no religion has place with the concept of modernity
people are immune to the discoviries being made, and shut their minds when someone debates religion
in fact one is unable to debate religion to begin with since there is always a hidden fear that the other side may regard it blasphemous
we should be openly discussing religion, its de merits and merits
there are few merits and the de merits out weigh them. its time for us to realise that
as far as the article is concerned, i think its very well written, and after a while i have read such an article
The reliance of Pakistani nation is what makes us unique despite such colossal losses we have the urge and will to rebuild and this is a very positive indication. With over 460 million USD in for rehab we need to channelize these funds in a transparent and speedy manner.
Are the ‘rrrrumar’ (No 3) and ’saddi’ (No 5) the same person? Again, are they Muslim?
Anyway, it makes no difference whether they are the same or different persons and whether they are Muslim are not. Of course, it the ‘religion’ not necessarily “Islam” that they are taking about.
However, let me refer to ’saddi’ who says “in fact one is unable to debate religion to begin with since there is always a hidden fear that the other side may regard it blasphemous” Dear, nobody will regard it blasphemous if both the sides are unbiased and well-versed in religion (not necessarily Islam). Otherwise, it is 100% blasphemous if you talk of it without knowledge (unbiased) as you both did unfortunately. Attacking religion (any) tantamount attack on the One who created you out of nothingness. Do you think whatever you are today is your own achievement? No sir, it is just the gift of One who created you specially as a human being. For Him, it was not difficult to have made you an ant, to be trampled by anything bigger. So, please be thankful to Him instead of challenging him. Rest assured that you are nothing (repeat) nothing without religion - believe it or not - God does not need your certification - a shallow wit cannot even think of His greatness. It is your choice whether to be cursed or rewarded. Furthermore, the each and breath that you inhale/ exhale and the every drop of water you consume is His gift to you. So, don’t be ungrateful.
Sorry for being too didactic, but as His humble creature, I am duty-bound to guide those who lead astray from His commandments.
@Sister Khadija, May God bless you for having done you job. We also pray to Him to show light to the ignorant! Ameen!
Nice point of view. I also think same as him
Really awesome info. I saved it. Great work! Thanks ^_^
thank you very much very nice topic
Nice article!
Thanks
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Hi there,
Many thanks for that, I found it very interesting. I hope to read more soon.
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