Pakistan Is Here To Stay - PART-II.

The young man was talking sense. But he was not looking at the full spectrum of things. I had to remind him of the importance of objectivity in any sensible argument.

Me: I agree with you. The truth sets us free. But what if my truth is different from yours? Would our respective truths set us free respectively or do I have to follow your narrative of freedom? Don't you think we should be grateful to Almighty Allah for blessing us with an independent country?

He: Sir, I don't want to be disrespectful but do you think Pakistan is an independent country? Leave aside the fundamental rights and provision of basic amenities by the State to its individuals, are you independent of foreign influence? I am sorry but we are being ruled by the local elite and foreign donors. We are digging graves for future generations by taking additional loans.

Me: Depending on the need, everyone takes loans. Any idea who is the biggest debtor of the world? Do you know that by the end of 2021, the US Federal Government had more than $ 28 trillion in federal debt? Almost every house owner in North America has a monthly mortgage to pay. What are you talking about? Yes. I agree the loans need not be pocketed by the powerful and instead be spent on development projects. But that relates to bad governance and it can be broached and rectified.

He: Being the biggest debtor did not preclude America from being a superpower. In any case, two wrongs don't make a right. Bad governance? Come on, Sir. In a country where the past leaders, rulers, administrators, parliamentarians, judges and media have so meticulously, assiduously and sincerely been delivering goods for the people of Pakistan, we should have been the most peaceful and prosperous country at least in the South Asian region. Conversely, we see our country on the brink of an unprecedented economic collapse and under perhaps the most uncertain period of our political history. That our foreign policy is also in tatters, would be an understatement. Something went terribly wrong somewhere along the line!

Me: I haven't interviewed all these people to know about their success stories. All I know is that good and bad people are everywhere. That doesn't make a country good or bad. In any case, ills of certain people must not apply to the future of nations. If there were bad governors, there were good governors as well. The problem is with the continuity of policies.

He: One does not have to meet face-to-face with all of them to...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT