Pakistan: Some Observations, Some Impressions

Govinda Neupane

As one among the larger Islamic countries, Pakistan has its important place in the Islamic world. Due to its religious milieu, it has inherited the core values, beliefs and practices of the Arabian culture. Equally, because of its geographical positioning in South Asia, Pakistan has embedded the cultural fundamentals of the region. Hence, the society has two distinct cultural codes - South Asian and Arabian. These cultural codes offer some similarities but differ in many ways. The dissimilarities contribute to social contradictions and add to tensions. The Islamic fundamentalists influenced by the Arabian culture and the South Asian liberals further influenced by the western cultural behaviors are fighting against each other, fiercely. This is one among the main reasons that has been accelerating the upheavals in the Pakistani society. The harmony between the practitioners of Karokari and Burqa system on one side and the freedom advocates, particularly the urban liberal elites represent the two poles. One is guiding the people to recreate seventh century Arabia, whereas the other is hurriedly asking them to practice freedom, sometimes even in an irresponsible way. A large majority of the silent population is busy meeting their survival needs and has learnt to adjust with these two paths by taking a few from here and a few from there. But, the fundamentalists from both schools do not allow the people to live in peace. Therefore, the Pakistani society, most of the times, swings between Arabia and South Asia culturally.

The scenic beauty of the northern mountain region is what Pakistan should be proud of. The Karakorum highway is the result of wonderful blend of imagination, valor and technological advances. It is not that wide, neither the quality of construction is worthy to acclaim. But the commendable works in the rugged mountain terrain, unpredictable streams and river systems, young and unstable geological foundations and the mighty snow covered peaks and passes that the highway has to go through makes the work extraordinary. Moreover, the planned capital city of Islamabad envies outsiders. Particularly, its greenery, wide roads, planned residential and commercials sectors and the virgin Margalla hills glitter Islamabad. This is one of the clean cities, if not the cleanest in South Asia. The third factor that makes Pakistan wonderful is the networks of the motorways linking its major cities such as Islamabad and Lahore. The long journeys are fast and comfortable. These are the infrastructural foundations of a modern Pakistan.

The people in the rural areas work hard. They are industrious and imaginative within their limitations. The Pathans of the North-west deserve special mention as they are the warriors who not only fight in the battle field but also equally participate in investing labor productively. Unfortunately, their women folks lag far behind due to the seventh century gender stereotypes prevailing even in this modern age. People attempt to improve life by finding out appropriate jobs in formal or informal sectors. Mushrooming road-side petty income earning activities reveal the desire of the people to get things done. Although, the productivity may not be that great and the return could be unimpressive, but the will of the people is what makes them different.
The social structure of the society has been heavily influenced by feudal cultural practices and belief systems. This is true not only to rural social behaviors but also such behaviors are prevalent in the urban areas. Those, who have stayed in the west for decades are not that different. The segregation of wealth, prestige and power, and comfort level is beyond imagination. The large section of the Pakistan society is battling to keep them surviving whereas a tine minority has accumulated wealth that insures them comfort and luxury for several millenniums. If there is no positive way of redistribution of wealth, the emergence of the negative way seems not that far.

The traditional customs and practices make women’s life miserable. Even today, some killings of women are going in the name of family’s honor. In the twenty-first century, the women suffer this way in a nuclear armed Pakistan is what the rulers of the state and the society should give immediate attention. In the urban areas, and even among the educated ones, the women in general and the girls in particular look like dolls – beautiful but not that independent as their cousins in other South Asian countries are. They are educated, capable and desirous to work in the profession of their choice, but the social attitudes and the gender stereotypes prevent them exercising power to take decisions independently. However, there are some new beginnings and some girls have started to break the barriers.

Religion is one among the sensitive issues in Pakistan. Some people are highly religious in its true sense, but for many it is some sort of a ritual. The Mullahs have strong influences over the daily life of the people, particularly in the rural areas. When Pakistani leaders talk about enlightened moderation, perhaps, they keep in mind to moderate the influence of these highly conservative Mullahs. For many religio-political leaders, religion serves as a lunching pad to grab political office. The growth of religious fundamentalism has affected negatively to people’s participation in politics of their choice. The religious feuds between different sects divide people and limit their choices.

Generally, the political parties lack credibility and dynamism. A few among them are like organizational fiefdoms of some influential politico-feudal or politico-capitalist families. Although, the parties claim that they have spread allover Pakistan, they have predominantly provincial characters.

Pakistan has to attack corruption. It has to train its workforce, particularly who are in hospitality business to be more professional and hospitable. Nature has blessed Pakistan, the common men and women have been nurturing it and the young and energetic Pakistanis are ready to take the challenges of a new millennium. The Pakistani development strategy of focusing on education shall insure prosperity. Pakistan has all the ingredients to march forward. It needs to mobilize its resources wisely in an equitable and just manner. Harnessing the nature’s gifts, insuring basic equality through redistribution of wealth and opportunities among different classes, regions and nationalities and scaling new heights in science and technology are the prerequisites to build a progressive, strong and prosperous Pakistan. Therefore, Pakistan has to craft strategies to introduce inclusive democracy, cooperative federalism and transformational socio-economic agenda.

07 August, 2006

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