Pakistan: Can we change?
The present author has in the past made his views clear on Pakistan’s broad model for success: the vision of Iqbal combined with the illustriousness of Jinnah. What is far less clear to all and sundry however, the present author included, is how exactly to go about this. It seems that Pakistan as a nation is stuck in a frustratingly perplex catch-22 case of the ‘chicken/egg’ dilemma. All the while, the question remains: can we change?
When a nation is stuck in a rut, be it perennial or transient, history has shown that change is a self-perpetuating phenomenon- change begets more change. So too is internia: internia begets more inertia. Schematically speaking, there are two types of actors in this grand dialectic of metamorphism: institutions and individuals. But which take precedence, and why? This is not a mere ivory tower theoretical dilemma, but a question which has significant effect on perceptions of the way forward for Pakistan. All too often Pakistanis and outside observers alike question whether it is the dearth of meritocratic institutions and/ or upstanding individuals which has led to the current state of affairs and general malaise in Pakistan. In other words, which came first?
Few commentators, however, focus on the more thorny avenue of enquiry: whether the lack of institution-building in Pakistan perpetuates uninspiring leaders or whether it is the existence of those uninspiring leaders who continue to stall the germination of such structures which will eventually pave the way for a fresh wave of ‘new paradigm’ leaders. (In other words, which props up the other?) We need leaders who think not inside or outside of boxes, but of building intellectual bridges; leaders who lead by example and without exceptions; and leaders who possess that rare self-abasing sort of humility to admit that they might not have all the answers, but will keep doing their utmost to find them rather than bury their heads in the sand. In short, those who inspire by example; not those who dissuade by disappointment heaped upon failure upon indifference. Regardless of which came first, or whether both phenomena sustain each other in the present day and age- disappointing individuals or shambolic institutions- one thing is clear: neither will suffice if Pakistan is to be a success in the 21st Century.
In a world of increasing competitiveness and professionalism, Pakistan will only fall further behind unless it lets the four winds of change blow on its sails: Technology; meritocracy; accountability; and economic reorientation. all must be pursued with vigour. Technology is the key to productivity and efficiency; meritocracy the gatekeeper of national integrity; accountability of government the sustainer of a continual impetus for positive change; and a canny appreciation of the changing economic trends of the global economy and the shift of economic power to the East, marks the door through which this country may one day walk en route to a new dawn of prosperity for the impoverished and disenfranchised masses.
Too often in Pakistan the focus is on politics alone; this is far from astute. And too often is the reaction to criticism far from constructive, though the criticism may well be thus formulated. Pakistan today for many seems to have an unhealthy amount of negativity surrounding both its short and long term prospects. It is time to correct the imbalance in the national Chiaroscuro to more acceptable shades.
Pakistan is still a young nation by the world’s standards, so let it use its youthfulness to the fullest, lest its 160 million owners one day it look back collectively and say with wan wistfulness once more, “if only…”. Jinnah and Iqbal, the implementer and ideologue, would have repelled the procrastination we partake in collectively, and the doubts we have, with their sheer force of character. Let us emulate their attitudes of struggle through sacrifice in the intellectual, technological, and behavioural fields. And along this road to renaissance, from Gwadar to Gilgit, let us say it loud, and say it proud, those three words (or whichever else in similar vein you prefer), that a certain man who promises change for another federal nation today says with three simple words: “Yes we can.”
Pakistan remains fundamentally a feudal society with a degree of misguided religious zealotry, even though the last 8 years under Musharraf have seen significant urbanization and expansion of the middle class. The chances of it lurching toward some form of democracy require that the power of the feudal zamindars continue to decline and be eventually replaced by people who believe in rule of law and institution building. How long would it take? Will the military give democracy a chance? Will the religious militants be brought under control? Those are the big questions.
The building of a civil society that helps develop active citizens involved in civic affairs and community-based self-help with a vibrant private sector will also be crucial in Pakistan’s quest for becoming a modern democracy of the people, for the people and by the people.
Yes, we can change. The way Americans were made to change long ago or more recently the Chinese were changed. The only way to bring about change in the character and behaviour of people nourished by the traditions and culture of a people is by strict implementation of rule of law. Honest enforcement of law on eveyone - rich or poor, powerful or weak - can transform our society in minutes not years or decades, the way we change in a moment when our plane lands in some western country. But to implement this fair rule of law where shall we find a group of honest men ?