Pakistan is not a banana republic but an onion state Can you countdown how many times you heard Pakistan is a banana republic in past few years in local and international media? Many Pakistani also in their private conversations also refer their state as banana republic and I am sure that many of them even dont have any idea about what Banana republic means in political science. In Pakistan, any body become a man of substance by just reading Newsweek and quoting it at appropriate time. Undoubtedly, Pakistan in its appearance a banana republic where state is losing control and mafias are becoming more and more powerful. People of vested interest made Pakistan a laughing stock in league of nations and many pundits of international relations believe that sooner or later this country will fail. But very few actually looked the defiance power of this republic shown in the most difficult times. In Pakistan people are always loggerhead with each other on religion, sect, ethnicity but still the same state comes out the worst natural and man made calamities in last decade. Country saw one of the worst earthquake, floods and internal displacement but still survive. Do you not amaze that a country where every other day there is terrorist attack is hosting worlds biggest immigrant population for last four decade. Can a banana republic show such defiance? Certainly not. It means that basically Pakistan is not a banana republic but an Onion republic which has many layers and when you remove one layer, you will find another layer and this goes on. This is reason why people especially of foreign origin fail to judge Pakistan innate resistance at time of stress. They make their arguments on face value without realizing that the people who are providing them information either belonged to a tiny minority or they simply misguiding them to earn more money. They will never tell the actual story of Pakistan. Although, religion played havoc with Pakistani society and created monsters which are responsible for religious extremism. Many think that epic centre of Pakistans extremism lies in mosques and madarasahs but these madarasahs are the biggest orphanages where millions of children are given food and shelter. Similarly, mosques ensure social gathering five time a day and a channel to mobilize people on social and charity issues. In a country where poor parents are unable to provide basic amenities of life to their children, these madarasah are last hope for million of impoverish children. Despite having capitalist economy still family structure is intact. Sometime family as institution is responsible for few social evils but by and large it remain supportive and in very rare cases that people abandon their families. People living in same neighborhood also support each other physically and financially. This family support helps person to not go below poverty line. Pakistan is one of the country where charity per capita highest in world. These charities reciprocate the western system of social benefits. Nobody exactly know how much charity we as nation give as many big donors want to keep it private. The concept of SADAQAH of Islam is helping many poor families where alms are given to poor and needy people to avoid misfortunes and accidents. This is reason why many people are surviving without any government aid. Nobody counted these unsung heroes of Pakistani society but if you probe you will find few hundred thousands. Although, Pakistan is a country where law enforcement agencies especially police is the most corrupt in world but still they are brave enough to stop suicidal bomber with empty hands. When they are doing this, there is no plan B and they know that they will be killed in a most cruel way as nobody will find their body parts. But still they are doing their job: in which banana republic you find such people? Thousands of people died in sectarian violence in last 2-3 decades but still shias and sunnis go to same schools, live in same street, play in same ground, work in same office. They attend each others funerals and marriages. How many other countries in Muslim world show such love and respect after innumerable deaths? Pakistan as country and as society is very unique and complex. You cant understand it until and unless you are part of it. It flirt with everyone but never leave its roots. Because roots are present in soil and are not visible unless you dug them out you cant measure their density by just looking foliage.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 14:20:51 +0000
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