Abdullah Mustafvi
There will be no compromise on national security, or terrorism will no longer be tolerated! We are attuned to such claims or phrases usually uttered by rulers or their deputed spokespersons. Neither do the rulers mean something serious out of such verbal claims nor do the masses expect some real stuff actually materializing on ground. It is a sign of insensitivity, a collective insensitivity. Country can no longer afford it specially once the decision makers blend the poison of ignorance in this recipe of disaster. Let us take a brief account of last four decades to have a fair idea about the unaffordable consequences of our collective insensitivity and ignorance. In late70s, democratic process met a halt and Zia led regime adopted anti-Russia stance with USA backing which brought a storm of Afghan refugees all over the country. Leaving a side other dimensions of this issue, let us focus upon our prolonged ignorance about Afghan refugees which ultimately turned into an unmanageable crisis. While complaining about the fiery and harsh statements of Afghan officials, we should opt for introspection too. Today, we hear too much about security, terrorism, extremism and violence. Undoubtedly, country is facing a serious challenge and fighting a complex war too. But our ignorance on this account played a lot against us than our enemy. We never applied state checks on foreign funding , sectarian private armies and militant wings of so called political cum linguistic pressure groups. Country has paid a heavy price for this ignorant approach. There is another dark part of this tragic mosaic. On 22 August, a british citizen Altaf Hussain openly abused the state of Pakistan and incited violence. Government response was not different. “We will not tolerate anything against Pakistan.” Question arises that why the state had been tolerating such acts since decades? What have we done now? A loose reference to government of UK seems not more than a pathetic joke. Once there was a complete media ban(under court orders)upon speeches and statements of Altaf Hussain then why he was allowed to address the crowd on telephone? So at times we add stupidity with our meaningful ignorance and enhance the magnitude of disaster. Now, let us have a look upon official claims about economic revival and governance improvement. Ground reality on this account is as usual 180 degree opposite. During recent Senate session, Senator Jahanzeb Jamal Dini described the painful circumstances under which his injured son died 7 ½ hours after Quetta hospital blast, primarily due to insufficient medical facilities. Provincial capital Quetta lacks basic medical facilities to handle the causalities. Citizens in Lahore drink contaminated water and major public hospitals are no less than slaughter houses. What to talk about Sindh! Just take out the figures of Thar kids’ deaths . Sindh high court judge very rightly commented about Larkana financial scam that ‘a witch even hunts after leaving seven houses’ but this regime is all set to tear apart the heart of masses in native town. Common citizen can not afford a routine check up and surgery abroad . Official verbal claims can not fill up the deadly vacuum created by corruption , mismanagement and above all ignorance . Unfortunately, nation remains insensitive to these serious issues during elections. This tragic tale of official ignorance and mass insensitivity has spread over all spheres of national matters. There is an alarming news report that India had obtained approval certificate from UNO to construct two more dams on River Chenab. There was neither any prior intimation to Pakistan nor any approval was thought appropriate by the India. Besides this, India is sponsoring the construction of 12 dams on Indus river in Afghanistan. This hydro terrorism will be catastrophic for Pakistan specially for agrarian economy. Since decades our decision making tiers are ignorant on this serious issue and masses are insensitive too. Role of opposition on such important national issues has also remained unimpressive. It is about time to address this lethal combination of ignorance and insensitivity, if at all we are really serious about survival as a nation!(Email:abdullahmustafvi70@yahoo.com)
