Independence Day: Pakistan Turns 60

Pakistan turned 60 today and it's been 6 decades of strife and turmoil (in sporadic sequence). People, it's time for the blame game. So who do I blame?

• The Fuedal Lords: Unlike India, Pakistan let the Feudal Lords keep their land after partition, which was fine with them of course. However, the other people living on the lands suffered at their hands. They prevented them from getting education and forced them into cheap labor. This resulted in a very poor and uneducated population which on the other hand tend to vote for the same Lords that subjugate them.


• The Mullahs: The Mullahs have played an essential role in Pakistan. However, there role seems to be more instigated towards their own benefit. Unlike what Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Maulana Hali (yeah) or the great Iqbal tried to teach the nation, the Mullah's tend to enforce a thinking which seems to be backward, which to me seems contrary to what the Quran and Sunnah teach us.


• The Dictators: The unconstitutional dictators that Pakistan has seen over the years have interfered in the country's political scene at times when it was usually most needed. However, the power of the ring (or the seat of power, whatever you prefer to call it) usually usurps them into doing what is more beneficial for them, rather than what is more beneficial for the country. It must be kept in mind that I respect the Pakistani military a lot and this is in NO way an attack on them, only an attack on our military leaders.


• The Politicians: Why do I mention them towards the end of the list? Simply because it pretty much covers the Feudal Lords, the Mullahs and the Military Dictators. For example, take the present Pakistani goverment; it consists of all the categories I've mentioned above. The Politicians are probably the worst of all, it sometimes makes me wonder if Pakistan truly needs a democracy. However, there's a lack of a better system in my mind right now.


• The People: The People tend to not care. I guess it's pretty common all over the world. I mean, George Bush Jr. managed to win a second term into the White House (even though most people tend to profess their hate for him). If people really want a change, they need to change themselves, their own way of life and do as they preach.

One needs to remember that there are exceptions to the rule. For example, Pakistan's so called "Golden Era" was under Ayub Khan, a military dictator. Even so, there aren't many.

I guess it's important for Pakistan to act on the words of John F. Kennedy and instead of thinking more about themselves, work for a better Pakistan. After all, Pakistan has a lot of natural resources and a great potential to explode in the economic circle.