I apologize for the late post, I have had no internet connection for a week which meant that
1) My email inbox had 67 unread emails (yes, I’m that popular)
2) In which over half of the emails were Facebook Notices and newsletters of websites I have subscribed to (The Daily Show, Michael Moore, Beyonce…)
“Why didn’t you go to the library?” you may be asking. Well, honest answer is that my library card has been blocked because I still havn’t paid all those fines for returning books past their deadline (hey, you try reading 4 books at the same time!) I am afraid that the moment I step into the library some CIA look-alike guy will take me away and force every single penny out of me.
And just an extra peice of information, I still don’t have any internet connection at home. I’m at my uncles place at the moment..
But enough of that. Lets get down to buisness.
When CNN announced that Barack Obama was the new president of the USA, Pakistan erupted with joy. At least Lahore did. Family relatives called and told how many people were partying in the streets. Now, I’m not sure if they ever saw a debate that Obama participated in, nor do they know his promises and goals. All they cared about was that Bush was gone, and Republicans were not to be in power.
Typical Pakistanis. Patience is is absent in us (we expect the country to be super over-night) and then we are natural celebrators. We celebrate everything. You got a new car? Great, now throw a party. Your broken bone has healed? Perfect, go buy traditional sweets and give them out. And then we have that uncureable habit of celebrating a bit too early.
Day four of hope, and Obama gave the Pakistani people a warm welcome to a new “era” under his rule. A couple of missiles.
Only issue, he didn’t exactly give the missiles to us to protect. He simply threw it on our heads.
Pakistan has for a long, long time been under the microscope, and it has been quiet evident that people have been more than eager to cross its borders for military purposes. And time and time again, the Pakistani people as well as that circus show of a government have pointed out, that Pakistan isn’t Iraq, nor is it Afganistan. Military opertaions from other countries within the borders of Pakistan is disliked, unacceptable and intolerable. Strong words, I know, but truth rarely comes as a sweet apple pie.
The allegation is simply that Pakistan is harbouring terrorists. Probably, but to drop bombs on villages where innocent people die isn’t exactly the best tactic. Would USA tolerate external military operations in their country? Several politicans said, regarding to the Gaza/Israel conflict, “If Canada threw a bomb on us, we wouldn’t just sit and watch. We would act”.
So if USA can say that, you don’t need to ask Pakistanis.
The matter of fact is that “killing off” terrorists is never ever going to succeed, because the civilian loss, as well as the infrastructure damage will only give birth to new terrorists, and will provide the best motivation for the fanatical religious teachers that have planted their roots along the borders of Afganistan.
Bombs, guns, and this tactic that the USA is leading is more hurtful than beneficial. It’s a circle with no beginning and no apparent end. What we need is not bombs, but what we need is the ink of the pen.
I am not going to say that we will ever stop terrorism, because there has always been terrorism. The definition and the face of terrorism changes from time to time, and to get rid of it would only be successful if we get rid of mankind all together. The term I will use on the other hand is “reduce”. In order to reduce terrorism it is vital that we first of all get affective leaders in charge.
Take Pakistan for an example.
A Pakistani president would have to, first of all, ensure the Pakistani people that he is Pakistan’s president and will act for the absolute benefit for the country. Sounds obvious and easy, but for a population that has been ruled by sold-out leaders and puppet dictators for the past 60 years, it’s a big challange. The president then would have to stabalize the economy. How on Earth do you do that with a global economy meltdown? Once I’ve figured that out, fully I’ll let you know. But one thing is for sure, Pakistan would take use of it’s global football making industry. And China would come in the picture, but no rush yet. I promise I’ll let you know.
But stabalizing the economy is just a small, but important, step. Many studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between poverty and crime. With the economy somewhat stable, the government would be able to get education running again. But a streetchild and his entire family relying on his earnings as a begger or child worker is not not even going to consider school, which is why a strong social system is needed. It is vital that people get the chance to even consider school. This means that the poor families need to be presented an alternative. It can be the idea of paying a child to go to school and get good grades that can work (as seen in the Zindagi Trust foundation). A street child goes to school and get good grades, his family gets cash. Cool idea, and a good start, but it isn’t enough to run the country. There needs to be more support from the wealthy part of the country, and a contract bond between the child’s family and the government that ensures that the child goes to school until the age of 18, which means that the child atleast completes highschool. In that way, the family gets money, and the child gets an education.
But where will the money come from?
Taaaaaxxxeeeessssss!
Tax is the only way the government to make money, and you would have to teach people that. Not by dragging the voting population into a seminar school, but when going out to hold rallies, and debates, you bring the subject and purpose of taxes in. Tell them, do they want their roads built? Then tell them what role taxes play. Ofcourse, you can’t do that if you got an economical crisis. But you see where I’m heading?
One of the mistakes that political leaders in Pakistan have made is that they have focused on developed areas only. Take Lahore, my “hood”. It’s considered the soul of Pakistan, and is considered one of the most developed places in Pakistan. So why pour more money there? Lahore will develop more eventually, but it’s not like you hear terrorists have their bases in Lahore. It always seems to be in the Sindh province and Balochistan. That’s because the infrastructure, the education is very poor and the government seems to have no control over the areas. The only way to win the people over is to offer them a better alternative. Who will say no to electricity? Who will say no to schools, and water, and hospitals? The landlords whom act like presidents will have no control over the people in such areas, beacuse what they offer would not be able to match what the government offers. But this cannot be done by demaing and biting at those who live in such provinces. The key is co-operation and compromise. It is to extend a hand over to the people and tell them, “Believe it or not, we live in the same country, and guess what? We’re all Pakistanis”.
Another important thing is to be honest with the people of Pakistan. Tell them what the challanges are, tell them that one president cannot bring up an entire country. Tell them that they need to help carry the load and they need to be a part of the metamorphosis. If USA threatens you, you tell the Pakistani people. There is no need to hide such things, because if anything goes wrong, you will be the one to blamed and not USA. By this, you will also send out a clear message to countries that you are soley Pakistan’s president, and have the Pakistani people in mind when you make decisions.
I told you before, Pakistanis get hyped up pretty quickly. Any president that gives hope and change to the people of Pakistan will have their support.
As for terrorism in Pakistan, it will remain, because it is a poor country, and it is a country that pushed from all directions. But terrorism in Pakistan can and will reduced over time only if we get a capable president who is ready to face nothing but storms and play as the underdog. Pakistan will not be your dream country now, but maybe in the next 20, 30 years. Illiteracy, poverty and anger is fuel for terrorism. Take those away and you are well on your way to establishing a nation where terrorism is an endangered art.
So, despite everything, I still have some hope for Obama, who, in my opinion, glows of hope, change and better times, and maybe he should reconsider his “fight-the-terrorists” tactic.
And who knows? Maybe Pakistan will get an Obama for itself someday.
Someday..
Until next time,
Mamashaal (( desi diva ))
