Political, social, ethnic, economic and religious scenarios of Pakistan are caught in the whirlwind of conflicting arguments. So much so that even the identity of the maker of Pakistan reverently called Quaid-i-Azam, the greatest leader, Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, has been made controversial.

Islamists project him in the media as a truly believing Muslim meaning thereby that he was a fundamentalist, and wanted to establish a theocratic Islamic State. On the other hand media under the control of the government paint him as a secular, freethinking sage who by creating an independence country strived to improve the lot of millions of poor people in South East Asia regardless of their belief and religion.

The intelligentsia of the country is truly baffled by the intensity with which both obscurantist and the secular circles of the country have pursued their argument.

Pakistan was a Different Place Thirty Years Ago

About thirty years ago Pakistan was quite a different place from the Pakistan of today. Children used to play outside their houses without causing any kind of dread or anxiety to their parents. They lurked around in their neighbourhood with absolute freedom. During summer people used to sleep in the streets just outside their houses.

People were open and frank and were prone to discuss anything unreservedly with respect and deference to their interlocutors. There was simplicity, love, peace and stability in the society although there were less luxury and opulence. People were generally pleased with themselves and were contentedly quite happy in their own sort.

The words of their Quaid were still fresh in their ears who had said, But make no mistake, Pakistan is not a theocracy or anything like it. Islam demands from us the tolerance of other creeds and we welcome in closest association with us all those who of whatever creed are themselves willing and ready to play their part as true and loyal citizens of Pakistan. (February 19, 1948).

Things Slowly Changed to Worse

Then things slowly changed to worse. Affluence, prosperity and material comforts came and there followed a sense of competition, struggle and rivalry. If the competition is healthy and rules of game are followed, which are healthy signs of growth, no problem is caused. However, the majority of the business class compromised on ethics of economics and resultantly the serving classes developed a sort of antagonism for the moneyed classes.

Some politicians exploited the sentiments of the masses to grab power on the expense of countrys stability and solidarity. One set of corrupt and inept politicians followed the other and the morass of Pakistans political life deepened further and further to such an extent that on 5th July, 1977 there came into power General Mohammad Ziaul Haq and his cronies. He made promises with the nation and broke them all very conveniently on political expediency.

Pakistan: In the Shadow of Jihad and AfghanistanHe worked on one agenda only, survival to his rule to strengthen his so-called Islamic dispensation. Everything else was subservient to this cause, even the integrity, solidarity and survival of the very country. He cruised along Pakistans political scene long enough to affect the social, ethnic, religious as well as political mores irreparably so that heroin, Kalashnikov culture, politico-religious intolerance and Afghanistan imbroglio should hang around us forever.

Recommended Readings:

Hussain Haqqani, Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military, Carnegie Endowment for International. Peace.

Benazir Bhutto, Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West, Harperluxe, 2008.

Mary Anne Weaver, Pakistan: In the Shadow of Jihad and Afghanistan,Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003.