…And we missed the boat
Earlier today, a friend and former classmate sent me a short news report on the quality of IIT graduates of India, established by Nehru, in the early 50’s.
It pained me to see how we in Pakistan, missed the boat, not just in developing strong public sector institutions but in establishing similar educational institutions.
It’s my considered opinion that a key reason was that at Partition, this cabal of hereditary, rich, corrupt and powerful, landed feudals “elite captured” all sources of Pakistani power, simply to perpetuate their hold over the people. They had no love for Pakistan, or its people or its future.
They sacrificed nothing, but in fact, acquired even more power and wealth as a consequence of the infamous evacuee property scams!
By and large this evil cabal of plutocrats and kleptocrats still exists today.
Today, these rural political heavyweights are joined in the merry plunder, by the urban merchant elite, the bureaucratic elite and the most elite of elites.
Our political and social contract has always been of an “elite cabal” lording over poor masses. Imran and PTI included.
Despite Imran’s desire and protestations to the contrary, his desire to clean up the mess, I do not see him succeeding, unless this stranglehold of the Elite Mafia, is broken, including the cabal of crooks, self-seeking carpetbaggers, power brokers, corrupt and crooked cabinet ministers, advisors and, special assistants who have leeched onto him.
We need a new Republic!
A new political and social contract.
Perhaps an anarchic revolution, if not a real revolution. But anything, literally which will uproot the existing order. We need something so harsh, so cruel so painful that the wounds make us think twice before allowing another crooked cabal like mafia to take over.
Last week I saw a documentary series on The American Civil War by Ken Burns, on Netflix. A strong must see.
Made me realise why they’re the most powerful and influential nation on earth.
- 4 million people fought against each other in over 10,000 places over a 4 year period.
- 620,000 died to defend what they stood for. Their State, their way of life, their values.
- 4 million slaves were released from bondage.
- A President was assassinated for not giving in.
Father against son, brother against brother. Former classmates and childhood friends mowed each other down in cornfields and cotton plantations.
That is how this Nation was forged in the most painful way.
The vast majority of the people of Pakistan got this country handed to them on a platter on the morn of 14 August by one of our greatest leaders, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
But for him we would have still been living in even more abject misery as a marginalized ghettoized community, much like the Muslims of India today.
If anyone lives in some fool’s paradise of a secular India with Muslims and Hindus living together in communal harmony, they need to look at Modi, the BJP and what’s happening to Muslims in India.
Those who migrated to Pakistan, and sacrificed their all had to start from scratch.
Those who spoke one of the regional languages, and came from East Punjab, mostly Punjabis, assimilated well.
Those who were alien to the land and spoke Urdu were and are still hounded for calling themselves Mohajirs.
Interestingly, have yet to come across a single Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi or Pathan who identifies himself as a “Pakistani”.
But we berate the Urdu Speaking community for trying to establish their own identity, bereft from the one they left behind.
The solution.
No idea!
Perhaps a revolution.
Perhaps a major calamitous event which breaks the stranglehold of the elite.
Perhaps a mad dictator.
Perhaps a complete change in our electoral process which allows highly educated, committed people to come into positions of governance and policy making.
I don’t see any of this happening, hence my “retirement” from political commentary and activism and media.
But that IIT report just broke me!
Alas! Sigh!
