Pakistan: Clichés and Stereotypes

Every international happening around the globe carves an effect on different regional and state levels, of varying degree that may range from political, economic to social dynamics. And in this modern age of warfare, they may they be of conventional, nuclear and unconventional nature.

To the second dimension of this reaction lies the evaluation and probing of the very fact, that how action stimulates a reaction. This leads an analyst to the identification of cartels and lobbies that sustain their power paradigms through channelizing their expertise in technological and perceptive cognitive domains of the rest, sometimes concealing and twisting the facts and realities. A mere reinter relationship is therefore patronized amongst the developed and underdeveloped factions of the world or in other words the aid donors and the aid recipients.

One should, therefore, realize, analyze and be critically cognizant of various matters around him, in the lieu of what he/she picks about to feel and believe. Promised resources lacking promising plans not only destroy the natural fabric of any land but retards the human fabric living on it, in the supplement.  A state created out of divine aid, malice with improper human policies makes Pakistan, of the sort that we live in today.

It’s easy to point and blame. Yet it takes undaunted courage to stand up with a change, for a change. Facts are depressing, can be depressing, yet the insight to look at terms with the soul of patriotism, couples them with a certain degree of optimism. This is intrinsically and extrinsically relieving and beautiful. People in the masses, speak up for one because that is ‘hear us. This is a problem when denied facilities and denied institutional representation foster this narrative, in the form of ‘I am not heard of’ and sometimes ‘only hear me’. The ongoing PTM activism at the ground .is a result of the same grievance, that they assume has been ignored and left unaddressed.

Specifying the Pakistani stance, “a foreigner in Pakistan is respected but a Pakistani in foreign is not!”  With a very few generous exceptions, foreign refers to the worldwide states, even the Muslim states. The epistemology of the facts has never been augmented in a way to check its very credibility in the present and upcoming future scenarios.

Though we stand at the crossroads of Indus, Persian and Arabian civilization, yet we Pakistanis need to have a defined identity of our own, which should be a mere Pakistani identity, all other historic, cultural, lingual identities then completing the national identity. This conceptual phenomenon does prevail in the cognitive domains but is least practically identifiable.

Pakistanis blamed for the so-called propagated terrorism and the aftermaths of 9/11, which by manoeuvred means has dragged this nation into the menace of terrorism, is all a myth by now, though credible, yet it is being strongly ostracized by the campaigns and operations in order to wipe this malicious curb!  And the very fashioned out trend is of the hilarious imposition of a conservative emblem of the traditional sort that mars the cultural pride, of especially those Pakistanis living abroad resulting into confused mindsets and retreats of vagueness, particularly amongst youth. Fanaticisms, chauvinism, gender discrimination are all the attributes that the acclaimed champions of liberalism mark on our character.

Yet, their own ideational and celebrated ideals are an under severe ironic and questionable posture The recent burqini debate is an open and vivid explanation of the factual scenario. This land is the most beautiful amalgamation of different cultural and ethnic diasporas’, with all the due importance’s to all set of values, its integrity faces a strong challenge in modern times. The price that the makers of this pious land have levied upon the shoulders of today’s generation is also to project an image of Pakistan that’s very pure and scenic in its distinguished essence. This essentially needs an ensuring assurance to the ideological and ideational structure of the nation and state. Pakistan has some unsung heroes who are appreciated as much as they should be. This country belongs to all of us, there are ordinary and extraordinary victories, nothing short of heroic. Stereotypes don’t define us!

Now the test of times not only is over the political and diplomatic representation or a mere military projection of the social stratum of the nation, but it stands in an equated expression on all the Pakistanis to think twice and thrice as their every action is indeed a national action. “A good government may, indeed, redress the grievances of an injured people; but strong people can alone build up a great nation.

Meagher. The myths of mistrust, power dominated society, materialism and money orientation; need all to be dealt with an iron hand, as Thomas Paine (Quotes, May 1, 2019 )states’ those who want to reap the benefits of this great nation must bear the fatigue of supporting it’. Nothing is ever permanent, except the change, and we need now to chug ourselves in first that is likely to be reciprocated by the change of our image in minds of rest!

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy and position of Regional Rapport.