Pakistan Rising: Independence
Day
Muhammad Zulnnorain Jilani
Pakistan, 'the land of the pure' is a product of an enduring struggle of the
Muslims of the subcontinent. From then this nation has survived the rigours of
time and the struggle for survival continues to date.
The country is passing through a stream of difficulties experiencing a woebegone
situation. Unfortunately, our numerous problems have compounded because for the
last 12 years we are engaged in an open-ended war. Soldiers, policemen,
paramilitary forces and citizens have braved the toll of life. Thousands have
perished while blowing life into this stare. The scourge of terrorism has torn
the fabric of society and struck mayhem over this land.
Moreover, poverty is on the rise while the burgeoning population continues to
haunt us. The economy is battered by the shortage of electricity and the
industries are forced to bring down the shutters, resulting in a staggering
increase in unemployment.
In addition, the corrupt and misled few, backed by imperial powers and
stakeholders are the root cause of all the miseries confronted by Pakistan from
independence. Some individuals only value their own well-being and fail to
discern the harm of their loathsome activities borne by Pakistan. As a result we
have always been under the radar of the critics and are not getting respect from
the world.
Despite all the inherent and self-inflicted impediments in our progression,
Pakistan has weathered the storm to some extent. Its critics are disappointed to
see Pakistan not only survive for seven decades, but survive in style. Pakistan
is a respectable member in the comity of nations, and enjoys special status
among various trade organizations; the most prominent being WTO (World Trade
Organization). Also Pakistan is a prominent member of the commonwealth
organization. We have a major say in the UNO as well.
Within 20 years of independence, it established a large industrial setup and
boasts a robust irrigation system to feed the country's agro-based economy. With
only 13 industries to start with, now it has over 13,000 industries.
Furthermore, over 72 Industrial Estates have been established and well developed
ports have been constructed in Karachi and Gawadar to pursue international
trade.
Pakistan has got a major breakthrough with the initiation of China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor which promises to make Pakistan hub of economic activity in
the next decade or so. According to the recent report of Bloomberg, Pakistan has
found its name in the 10 fastest growing economies of the world. Most of the
world's economy monitoring agencies, e.g. Moody's, Standard and Poor, and
Bloomberg, all are talking high of Pakistan's fast growing economy.
With no offices for administration; and buildings in obsolete condition at the
time of independence, now it has adequate infrastructure facilities and
government offices to supplement the administration. Pakistan prides itself on
having the sixth largest Armed Forces, respected for its professionalism. It has
the unique distinction of being the only country in the entire Muslim world to
be equipped with nuclear technology.
The progress in sports allowed us to rule the hockey and cricket fields for
decades, besides being above all in squash courtesy Jahangir Khan, and his
predecessors, for a considerable period. Pakistan in 1994 was the world champion
in four different sports, namely; squash hockey cricket and snooker a coveted
distinction few could imagine. Muhammad Asif of Faisalabad brought the snooker
world cup to Pakistan in 2013 and this year Muhammad Hamza won the Asia Cup.
Pakistan's Kabaddi team has been a source of pride for Pakistan, grabbing the
bronze medal in Asian Games. We won the T20 cricket world cup in 2009. This year
also saw Pakistan's cricket grounds to blossom in happiness and sink in
deafening noise of cricket lovers due to the revival of cricket. Muhammad Afzal
won the coveted gold medal for Pakistan in the Junior Asian Atheletics
Championship in the triple jump event.
This progress made in various fields belie all the claims of the critics except;
the country failed to live up to its direction. Given favourable conditions and
visionary leadership analogous to the present government, Pakistan is one of the
few nations who can outpace even the most developed countries of the world with
its potential. Hardly, any country is blessed with such variety of ranges of
mountains, stretches of sandy dunes, array of water channels and rivers, borders
with seas and oceans, vast plains of fertile agricultural lands, orchards, dense
forests with such fauna and flora.
Untapped reservoirs like Reko Dik and Thar coal projects, will unleash a
plethora of natural resources to serve the population. Pakistan today is ripe
with treasures of human and material resources which need to be sparked. With
its rich culture and noble heritage and perfected code of life-Islam, Pakistan
has the capability to rise to the top.
The nation which can dominate the world in squash, cricket, hockey, presently in
snooker with no formal training on scientific lines; stand as a solid unit in
face of earthquakes and floods cannot be restrained from being the best.
More importantly, our young blood is confident and hopeful. They know they will
be recognized on merit and not for their family connections. Likewise the
spirited and workaholic government supported by a highly professional army is
making Pakistan head in the right direction. It's matter of time only before
Pakistan turns into a prosperous, modern and an enlightened country. Emergence
of Pakistan among the best is round the corner.
The government of today seems going in right direction, it is concentrating on
building infrastructure. Like Motorway has contributed a lot in the national
economy, the metro projects and economic corridors will surely go a long way in
giving the country a long term platform to boost the economy. The Foreign
Exchange dived during the previous government is today touching $19 billion,
which is a positive sign.
The armed forces are contributing enormously towards the right direction of the
nation. The operation Zarb-e-Azb has played a pivotal role in bringing back
nation’s pride and trust on the armed forces on one hand, and towards restoring
the people’s thirst for peace in the country. Gen Raheel Sharif’s role has given
a renewed strength, which the enemy is also feared of. The Pakistani contingents
of commando force have consecutively for the last three years been emerging the
toughest amongst the world armies in the world ranking contests held in various
countries. Pakistani students are winning laurels for the country and the
youngest Pakistani student, Malala is the achiever of Nobel prize today.
We are doing a lot towards the nation buiding, yet there is a long way to go and
the road towards progress and peace is bumpy. We need to have built dams, on an
urgency basis, in order to cope with the threat of flash flooding every year and
to preserve water for better utility. This will also provide security to the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is now a vital part of our future.
On this August 14 Independence Day we have to make a resolve to continue our
march towards peace, prosperity, religious harmony, tranquility and cohesion,
removing all impediments in our way, by uniting hands together and gathering
under the flag of Pakistan.
(The writer is a student of A Levels in Roots)