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“Behind the Clichés, a Modern Pakistan”
I was sent the captioned article by a friend. Thankfully, not a pessimistic perspective on contemporary Pakistan. The author, Shuja Nawaz, a former international civil servant makes some good points:
“For a returning native, Pakistan offers a kaleidoscope of images that defy the West’s stereotypes. American audiences are used to seeing Pakistan as poised on the brink of nuclear conflict with India, hosting Taliban “jihadist” militia, with a military-dominated government that has a tenuous hold on its fractious component provinces. Violent riots and screaming bearded crowds shouting anti-US and anti-Western slogans make their way into evening news broadcasts….
Pakistan has a palpable vibrancy that is reflected in its burgeoning cities, revitalized private sector and increasing prosperity, with gross domestic product growing at more that 6 percent annually….
Nongovernmental organizations are improving their traction in the fields of human rights, health and education. Their focus is on women and girls, a much-neglected aspect of Pakistani economy and society. The recent success of NGOs in fighting the ravages of the earthquake in northern Pakistan has given them new life and visibility. Meanwhile a largely unfettered press keeps the government on its toes.”
Read more here
October 16th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Apart from how western media portray paksitani society, its a fact that our society is facing more problems than a decade ago.
it depends on once own choice whether they like to moan about half empty chalice or just want to appreciate that atleast chalice is not completely empty.
October 16th, 2007 at 4:26 am
Sorry Raza, thought this was baloney, utter tosh, nonsense on stilts.
I mean, let’s put to one side the stark and obscene inequalities behind this “6 % growth”.
Politically: the country is a laughing stock after the farcical Ordinance and -though it pains me to say it-the ridiculous shenanigans of B.B. Kchi is is run by thugs and criminals..mafias.
In Swat and other regions there has been a radicalisation (with prostitutes being beheaded, music shops burned to the ground).
And in Wazirastan? Why don’t they send some effin NGO’s there? The army is demoralised (over 200 are being held prisoner and already three have been executed). And are you telling us that the nazims and army are any less corrupt?
I don’t know Raz, I’ve come back after three years and behind the superficialities of the ‘new wealth’ (which is really just the fee of a prostitute, if you excuse my language)there seems to be little, if any real progress.
On a more general level, I see this country lurching to a conservate outlook.
Would love to hear your own reflections/insights on the situation..in your own words.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Pakistan is indeed a kaleidoscope of much positive minus politics and intolerance that is quickly gripping the society. Ironically both the problems have not been objectively recognized so far. To be able to see the glass as half full, one has to agree upon the minimum pre-requisites; in this case a collective ken that is not myopically prejudiced.
Anyway, thanks for sharing that piece. It was a good reminder that a lot is changing as we continue living in moments.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:44 am
There is a good website on the Internet - fascistarmy.org - which sets the record straight to a large extent about the contemporary Pakistan. Ignoring the present crises of Pakistan can not be equated with optimism. This is more or less ostrich-ism or pigeon-ism.
Optimism will be to recognize the problems and hope that the situation will better.
October 17th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
[...] (published first in International Herald Tribune, later reproduced at The Pakistan Link, link via Raza Rumi) she does admit how, “For a returning native, Pakistan offers a kaleidoscope of images that [...]
October 18th, 2007 at 3:31 am
Isn’t the full quote: “..that defy the West’s stereotypes”?
One would like to know what is meant by such terms as ” the West” and, more importantly, in what sense *isn’t* this a “military dominated govt”. It seems like a fairly accurate description to say the centre only has a “tenuous hold” on the provinces.
Of course, one would not expect a civil servant or a politician or a ‘fauji’ to see anything *but* progress, since the “6% growth” over the last 30 years has mainly been appropriated by them.
October 18th, 2007 at 6:44 pm