Why Pakistan Isn't Going Anywhere

Its probably for the best that we don't have a State-of-the-Union-type Presidential speech in Pakistan. Can you imagine what a morose monologue it would be? The President's talking points could be:

Record breaking death toll from terrorism

Increasing power crisis in country

Bleak outlook for water availability in future

Rising inflation

Falling exports

Rising militancy

Falling public confidence

Rising import bill

Falling investment

and so on. You get the general idea.

One of the reasons we aren't going to go anywhere as a country - I do not use the word nation, for reasons I shall shortly expound upon) - is the absolute and complete incompetence of those who sit gallantly in the provincial and national assemblies. In fact, so incompetent is our government that when we come across someone who actually knows what he's talking about and is actually worth his salt, we are prone to hero-worship. Case in point: Mustafa Kamal, the nazim of Karachi. The gentleman is dedicated, intelligent, rather persuasive and has truck-loads of initiative. All the things that are absolutely the bare minimum requirement for someone in his position. However, so shocked are we at seeing these capabilities in him that people are ready to worship the man and keep wondering what will happen to Karachi now that he is no longer at the helm of affairs.

Another reason why we're not going anywhere - anytime soon, at least - is the 'nation'. Yes, us Pakistanis.

First of all, the word nation means: a large aggregate of people united in common descent, beliefs, history, culture, territorial boundaries, language. And therein lies the problem: we aren't united in any way - least of all in the ways defined above. So, in effect, we are 'a large aggregate of people'. Which, interestingly, is also the definition of "crowd". And that's why I prefer the word crowd over the word nation, when talking about Pakistanis.

Coming back to the second reason for the lack of any kind of positive or upward movement in the country/crowd: the people. Those who read the Dawn newspaper, and those who read it this Sunday, were treated to sight not seen everyday. A crocodile, in Karachi zoo, with something red splattered on his head.

And no, it wasn't the blood of some unsuspecting victim. It was 'paan ki peak'. I'm not kidding. If you haven't seen it, go to dawn.com and check out the e-paper section. Its right there.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the sorry state that we're in. What in the world would compel someone to spit paan at a crocodile? What if the crocodile was not enclosed behind bars? Would they be so daring on a level playing field? Now, THAT is something I'd like to see.

Here's something else that makes you confused about wanting to laugh or cry:

In the midst of uncertainty that surrounds everything today, I salute this officer for literally putting his life on the line to protect worshippers. But that he is using a charpoy as a shield/barrier is just... funny in a sickening sort of way.

I've said it before and here it is again: we simply aren't equipped to protect ourselves from... ourselves. I guess for most of us, its a battle to get through the day, go to sleep, wake up and start a brand new battle.