Taken for a ride.

The nations that achieved independence just about the same time as Pakistan did, have gone far ahead of us in terms of political stability and socioeconomic development. It is really tragic to note that even after seventy-five years of gaining independence we as a nation are still groping in the dark to find the right way to our destination which was envisioned by the founding father. The quagmire in which Pakistan is stuck at the moment is surely a self-inflicted misfortune. The seventy five years have been a history of treachery and betrayal of the objectives of creation of a separate homeland; a history of flouting and undermining the vision of the founder of Pakistan; a of history of pummelling the constitution and governing through extra-constitutional steps; a history of politicians subverting the continuation of democratically elected governments by urging military takeovers to settle scores with their opponents; a history of generals derailing the democratic process and destroying the institutions of the state to assuage their lust for power.

Pakistan, therefore, is grieved and lying flat on its back yearning to erase the past and make a new beginning. I would, for the benefit of the readers, like to quote English renderings of my two odes that portray the ordeal that this nation has gone through and the criminal indifference to learning from history as well as lack of willingness for required corrective action.

Here is an English rendering of the first ode 'We are treading the same paths and the same lowness. The whole country is engulfed by gloom and despondency. Darkness covers the horizon but the villains are still engaged in their evil acts. There is no change in our days and nights and we are still being pushed around by flag-bearers of vested interests. Our leaders who have betrayed the vision of the Quaid are not prepared to mend their ways. They have always bowed before others but feel proud of their pursuits. They are not worried about the country, democracy and peace which are essential for the progress of the state. But who cares that you must be fuming about the situation every passing moment ?'

The second one goes like this 'The freedom to speak the truth is under curbs and is subservient to expediencies. There is an uneasy silence all around. No voice emanates from the hearts. The garden of hope lies deserted and no desire brings warmth to the heart. Even the moonbeam has lost its attraction and the nights have also...