Amidst Passiveness and Indifference

From religious fanatacism to terrorism, from judiciary's independence, to democracy... what is Pakistani society ready for? What is the need of the hour amongst so many issues?

Pakistan today is facing a number of problems which have come into the limelight all too soon. Many conspiracy theories or fallacies, often contradictory, have come into view. The recent terrorist attacks ranging from the attack on the Sri Lankan team, Swat's evolution and the attack on Taj Oberoi in Mumbai, India, all point in one direction. Hence, Pakistan today is facing the instability it has itself breeded for years. Its role in America's War against terror has warn the fruit of terrorism for the country. Moreover, the game of power being played by almost all the actors on the political front has left little room for development-economic, social, political.

What is needed today is perhaps not democracy, liberalization and privatiziation as the Washington Consensus Post very conveniently suggests. A third world country with an illiterate population of more than 50 percent, an exporting country with a competitive edge in almost no commodity is PERHAPS not ready for it.

For the realization of the solution, it is important that the true problem is identified. The problem lies not with the masses but with the educated elite of teh country. They are the most passive part of Pakistan for they have an opinion about everything but in reality put none of their views into practice. Pakistan needs more than just the LIP SERVICING of these ARM-CHAIR ANALYST. The true culprits, in my opinion, are not dictators or democrats or foreign actors but the elite of this country who have the previlige or luxuy of being a problem and yet be miles away from the consequences of the problem.