A moment for introspection and progress
August 14 is a day that holds a special place in the hearts of every Pakistani. It was a moment when the long-nurtured dream of the birth of Pakistan became a reality. It reminds us of the sacrifices, aspirations, and great struggles that led to its formation.
The idea and motivation behind the creation of Pakistan was driven by the quest for identity and freedom—a land where Muslims could follow the rules of Islam and practice their religion and culture without any fear. Quid e Azam dreamed of a Pakistan where everyone is treated with dignity, honor, and respect, a land where Islamic principles guide the country’s laws to ensure justice and freedom for all, irrespective of color, creed, and race.
The Role Of Establishment
Seventy-eight years after independence, Pakistan is still struggling and has not fulfilled its dreams yet. The strong influence of the military and politicians has created many obstacles to progress and held the country back. Pakistan’s military has too much power, often controls the government, and has interfered in politics. This leads to authoritarian rule, long-lasting negative effects, hurting democracy and the development of the country.
Pakistan has not achieved its independence goals because of external and internal issues. The powerful elite just focus on gaining more and more power rather than helping the country, which creates a gap between them and the common people. They make policies that always benefit the rich and ignore poor people, which is why millions of Pakistanis live below the poverty line. It’s pathetic.
The establishment has not addressed the people’s needs. Many Pakistanis cannot access good education, healthcare, and basic services; this cycle of poverty and inequality is very hard to break.
Political Parties
All the political parties in Pakistan are also responsible for the current situation in Pakistan. They are all selfish and show disconnection from the struggles of ordinary people. For decades, all political parties prioritized their interests and power over the welfare of the common people. This selfish and self-centered attitude led to a cycle of poor governance where everyone’s main focus was gaining and maintaining power rather than addressing the challenges facing the nation. Their children enjoy excellent education in prestigious schools and have access to the best healthcare services. On the other hand, children of poor people deprived of basic education have unqualified teachers, and they are forced to rely on an underfunded healthcare system.
In this environment, the poor suffer the most, as the system supports only the rich. For Pakistan to move forward, its leaders must change their mindset and prioritize the citizen’s welfare over personal gain and should address the deep-rooted issues of Pakistan.
Youth and Distraction of Social Media
The youth of Pakistan is distracted by the allure of social media. The youth, called the backbone of our nation by the great Quid-e-Azam, are increasingly immersed and wasting precious time in creating useless content for social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. While these platforms offer financial incentives, they also lead many away from valuing their own cultural heritage and traditions. People like Party Girl, Astrology, Chaht Fateh Ali Khan, and many more are providing content that is not beneficial in any aspect, while many others provide valuable content, but those are not gaining as much popularity. This shows the mindset of our people. So we should think and act reasonably, shift our focus from useless to meaningful and productive content, and follow those that truly matter.
The trend of becoming social media stars distracts young people from the real challenges facing their country. The energy and creativity could be used to address issues like poverty, unemployment, and social injustice. Youth have that power, which can lead the country to the path of progress, but the need of the hour is to just recognize that power.
Lack of opportunities
Many Pakistanis are disappointed and want to leave Pakistan and go abroad due to a lack of opportunities. So Pakistan is losing skilled and talented individuals who could contribute to the growth and development of Pakistan.
This is ironic, as Muslims get a country where they can thrive without being subjugated by others. Yet, today, many Pakistanis want to live abroad to work in the nations from which their ancestors sought freedom. The loss of trained and skilled individuals in fields like engineering, medicine, and technology weakens the ability to compete on a global stage.
Pakistan needs to give reasons to stay in Pakistan by providing opportunities for success at home, ensuring they can reach their full potential without leaving. This requires justice, good governance, and economic development.
Arshad Nadeem
Arshad Nadeem made history by winning a gold medal in the javelin throw event on 8 August 2024 at the Paris Olympics. He gives immense joy and pride to Pakistan, especially on Talisman’s 78 Independence Day. His victory is a gift to the nation, coming after a long wait of 32 years. His gesture of performing sajda after his win is adorable, as he not only honored his country but also his faith, Islam. His victory and his name will be remembered in the annals of athletic history.
Need for Action
On this 14th of August 2024, as we are celebrating our 78th Independence Day, let us make a collective promise to ourselves to pursue excellence in our respective fields, embrace our cultural heritage, and contribute positively to Pakistan’s future.
As Pakistan celebrates Independence Day, it’s time to go beyond slogans like Dill Dill Pakistan, Jan Jan Pakistan, and putting status about Pakistan. It’s time to take real action. and need to take concrete steps towards progress. There is a need to work together to fulfill the actual dreams of independence.
This must begin with the youth; the future of Pakistan should invest time in learning the knowledge and skills that are necessary to drive national development. The divisions based on religion and political affiliation must be put aside to achieve a common goal: the betterment of Pakistan.
