NOORULLAH

Roll# 330

ROOM FOR OPTIMISM IN PAKISTAN

Optimism - the doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly.
(Ambrose Bierce)
Optimism in Pakistan is the passion for maintaining that all is right when all goes
wrong with us. Sixty-eight years later where does the country stand? The creation of
Pakistan was necessary. Initially, the country showed much cohesiveness. People,
irrespective of ethnicity, were drawn to each other. There was a feeling of
nationhood and everybody took pride in being a Pakistani. That, however, changed
over the years. In the early days life was simple and there was much happiness.
Peopled looked after each other. The government functioned well and the
bureaucracy showed fair responsibility. There was corruption, but it was not rife.
Things began to change in the 70s and became worse in the 80s. The country,
instead of making progress went into a downward spiral, economically and
politically. Despite these drawbacks, there was faith in the people that the country
would return to the right path.
I blame the government in the 70s which started the countrys decline including its
unity. It introduced corruption and lawlessness on a large scale. It was from then on
that things began to turn for the worse and have continued their downward spiral. I
am happy that Pakistan was created. I fear that unless the rising trend in corruption
and lawlessness is not arrested it will endanger Pakistans existence.
Today prevailing Situation and Solidarity of Pakistan is due to the internal disarray
involving unprecedented harmony between state institutions and political parties
because of ethnic, sectarian and parochial enormity, provoked by political elements
for narrow interest. Religious extremism, internal intolerance and conflicts were
damaging our worldwide image besides preventing a consensus on Pakistan's
interest in the war against terrorism.
Consider that if 40%of a countrys population is earning their life below the povertyline in which the people are deprived of basic necessities of life such as clothing,
shelter, food, education and medication, such families and their children will be
forced to think of their survival only.
Literacy is defined as persons aged 15 or above who can read and write.
According to this definition, Pakistanis officially reported to have 50% literacy rate.
Which means half of its population is illiterate. With such family backgrounds,
inflation, poverty and child labor this rate is expected to increase in future. Even for

those who are termed as Literate are only able to read and write, which in todays
technology oriented world is still considered as illiteracy. Majority of the people
forming the top controlling tier is almost unaware of technologies and technical
mindset.
Pakistan is suffering from a fatal problem known as Establishment. Every vital
department in Pakistan is controlled by the so called Establishment.
Establishment is a network of key positions in almost all the departments in the
country. This network provides support and safe backing to their touts to ensure
that they remain in control. The roots of this establishment may very well be deep
inside underworld and secret agencies of the dominating nations.
It is interesting to note that due to the international interference and manipulation
the very same people that we label as corrupt just some time ago, blame and
rebuke, come back to govern us after a couple of years again and people welcome
them with open arms. A common English saying goes as fool me once, shame on
you, and fool me twice, shame on me.
This is probably also the main reason why the political process in Pakistan is not let
to prosper. Soon after its inception the sincere and loyal politicians were removed
from the main stream and only dummy agents and rubber stamps are put in place,
while all the decisions are made outside the country.
Terrorism in Pakistan has become a major and highly destructive phenomenon in
recent years. The whole world looks at Pakistan, as a land of terrorists. Main reason
being exploitation through the religious leaders and reaction of the military
operations both internally as well as externally.
If you're a pessimist, you tend to focus on safety and security. Pessimism drives you
to seek and find safe havens, establish clear advantages, and protect resources.
When pessimistic about needed economic recovery, for instance, countries save
money. When the news is bad and likely to get worse, a pessimist is your best ally
because pessimists thrive on fixing errors.
In short, in the face of many serious and in some cases unprecedented global
problems, we have a government that few of us trust to solve them, and a media
that remind us, 24/7, of what is going wrong. After this entire scenario if we still
have optimistic approach to the future of Pakistan, than we have no sense of
improvement.