Tunis, Egypt and the parallel universe in Pakistan

Nasir Aziz
nasiraziz@pakaffairs.com

We all know what happened in Tunis a couple of weeks ago and what is currently brewing in Egypt against Hosni Mubarak’s regime and a gathering storm around other Arab countries at the time of this writing. It appears that they have now realized their stature and place in this world after being continuously oppressed and ruled by manufactured monarchs right after the fall of colonialism(s) around World War II. The receding colonial forces were successful in creating proxy leaderships under their thumb to either transition these previous colonies and newly carved nations into loosely formulated governing systems or possibly to control them, depending on what resources they possessed under their feet. This however is a general consent but I will treat it as a (conspiracy) theory that comes to light time and over by the ones who claimed to have been the victims. No matter what happened, let bygones be bygones and let’s try to move on as dwelling in the past and blaming others doesn’t really help solve todays problems.

Fast forward to 2011; this is a whole new world. Geographically, geo-politically, technologically and most importantly the way we communicate with each other. Internet that enabled virtual social interactions via various Social Media platforms has really taken down the walls among the people around the world. People who have access to Internet have willingly or not communicated with people across borders, nations and religions and learned a quite a lot about each other, gained firsthand information about each other’s host nations and systems they live in. There really are no iron curtains anymore. The governments have lost control over communications for the most part on daily basis. Millions of personal exchanges among people occur in real-time. Although the trends in communications can be measured but for that you have to have a very savvy and resourceful ministries working to that end. The point is that this whole planet and its people are less of a mystery to each other now.

With Internet people have become more and more aware of the globe, its history, politics and everything else revolving around that. And the ones who feel oppressed or marginalized have realized the unfair treatment they have been receiving by their rulers.

Now let’s focus on Pakistan under this context:

First of all Prime Minister Gilani was quick to dismiss the notion by US Vice President Joe Biden that the wave of uprising in middle-east may reach Pakistan. Gilani stressed that Pakistan is a functional democracy and is not in any economic crisis and is plowing through political process just fine. Now just this statement and his reaction says a lot about either how disconnected he is with reality or is a flat out liar. One thing he forgets that what is happening in Tunis, Egypt or for that matter in any other Arab country is really not about democracy. People there seem not to care much about that. What they really are asking for is CHANGE, from the stagnant political system, nepotistic and repeated leadership, lack of vision and no hopeful future in sight. Sounds familiar? People are asking for fair treatment, better jobs, and better access to wealth, education, security and future of their children. Democracy is not even a slogan here, nor the anti-American sentiment in both the countries. Democracy will end up being a by-product of this uprising against the authoritarian leadership – yep, a by-product!

What really impressed me from watching Egyptian protesters was their civil obligation to their country. They were calm, knowing what they were doing, were being respectful to their Army personnel, defending their own neighborhoods when police forces had become ineffective, and most of all they were cleaning their own streets as volunteers after the protests and skirmishes! I saw this interview on CNN where an Egyptian volunteer girl was sweeping the streets with her fellow male Egyptians. Reporter asked her a few questions, the one that grabbed my attention was where she said I am doing this as a volunteer, and then the reporter asked why? To that she smiled and responded: “This is my country, no other reason”. The point I am driving home here is that it takes good civil sense, love for your country and knowing what you want to be effective in the CHANGE you desire. Now can we generally say this about Pakistan and Pakistanis?

Also the uprising in Egypt; and the same could be said about Tunis is that their demands are more secularist in nature. They are not asking for Islamic government, nor are they asking for Sharia law. They are demanding for basic needs; job opportunities, industrialization, clean water, electricity, fair access to education and a true representation of themselves in the new government by the people who understand the problems and are capable of addressing them. Things that matter which will help improve their quality of lives and the ability to take control of their dignity. They want all that to be within their power rather than in the hands of dictators or authoritarian personalities. Also what I noticed more and more that how the protesters didn’t have beards nor “Islamic” style attire – they were all Egyptians: Muslims, Christians, men, women, children. They all want the same thing and they are all adamant about CHANGE.

Now let’s see how this works in Pakistan:

In Pakistan the loudest of the bunch are more focused on non-issues. Let’s take the blasphemy law for example. First of all they don’t realize talking about it, changing it, and protesting against it doesn’t address the social, security, food, energy, terrorism and myriad of other immediate problems the country is facing. Never mind the Creator of this universe, a universe so huge that this planet is not even a speck of dirt in scheme of things and then we humans who don’t even account for anything at all in this unfathomable extent of it. Yet the Creator is concerned about who defames and disrespects His Prophet? Really? I think not. Plus it almost sounds like people are taking His matters into their own hands thus committing “shirk” (blasphemy) on their own. Don’t they know that the ultimate judgment sits with Him and not us, as is mentioned in the Quran? Then why the fuss? And how does this help the religious cause, if there is any? God will sort them out, let’s worry about ourselves. We are not the gods, nor the pharaohs, nor the creators and nor have been offered any authority to judge and punish the ones we disagree with. Pakistan principally was to be a secular state that respected all religions, minorities and ethnicities. Whether you are a Sunni, Shia, Qadiani, Ismaili, Ahmedi, Hindu, Christian, or an Atheist, they are all personal beliefs and should stay as such and not to be imposed on others. After all He is the Ultimate judge. Wasn’t this the argument for a two nation theory? Flawed or not, that was the essence. And the founder of Pakistan Jinnah was far from religion yet was concerned about the religious freedoms of the people of subcontinent. Are we the new Hindu Brahmans masquerading as Pakistani Muslims, doing the same things we wanted to get rid of?  As long as we are Pakistani, that is all what should matter. Why marginalize and subdivide ourselves on ethnic, linguistic, religious, and status lines? Who is our enemy now? Do we even need any external enemies when we are our own enemies? I think not!

Pakistanis, especially the religious right must realize that we are not the “beacon” or defenders of Islam. We have nothing to offer to Islam nor its followers around the world as it is, we barely can sustain ourselves. We are morally bankrupt and intolerant for that reason; these factors do not create the basis of leadership of any type, let alone a global or regional influence. We have not invented anything that helps us, let alone humanity. We have not created anything that we can be proud of. We have to get our house in order before we can start making any claims which today are distorted and misguided. We blame everything on everyone else, we are never wrong. We have no flaws and we can do no wrong. I categorize this mental state of mind as lunatic and out right crazy! Self-reflection and accepting our faults, whether from the past or now will clear our heads to enable ourselves for the real CHANGE! There is no harm in starting from scratch after realizing our weaknesses and inner faults.

Now let’s get back to the point where Gilani and the incumbents assume Pakistan is no comparison to Tunis or Egypt. If you ask me honestly we are worse off and need of the hour is exactly what is happening in Egypt especially. We are a few years too late already. This is fault of our own, we pick the leaders, we chose not to challenge or question them, we enable the Pakistan Army to intervene time and time again, and we don’t do anything! We are zombies living in the lala land. Now the only thing that Egyptians and others were and are lacking is leadership during and after revolt and uprising. Since the anger and frustrations boiled over and resulted in spontaneous reaction, that left them without coherent plan and a leadership void. Even the Muslim Brotherhood, currently reformed but not short of violent and suspicious past, are also standing side by side for the people’s needs and demands. They may be the only ones who are well organized to take that role but generally is not desired by the Egyptians themselves. Muslim Brotherhood realizes their status and reputation and is not stirring the pot much, as they are witnessing the people power on the streets and against a powerful regime. That is a lesson enough for them to not make claims to authority under the circumstances. So far so that they are even supporting Mohammad ElBaradei, a secular international figure of Nobel Prize and IAEA fame. People of Egypt realize even ElBaradei is not up-to-speed on Egyptian problems but to fill that void they have no choice but to pick a face for their demands and he seems most qualified at the moment. I would consider him opportunist by accident. He didn’t cause the revolt, he didn’t create the blue print for the revolt, he may not even have the proper vision for Egypt yet, in spite of all that people have some faith in him, at least he understands more on global level and have leadership skills in this area.

Now this begs the question of lack of leadership in Pakistan. Our continuous “rinse, lather, repeat” recycled leaderships create that void within our society. Comes the day when a similar revolt erupts in Pakistan, who is the one going to take the bull by the horns? And I say that by excluding all the past and current political leaders, feudalists, elitists, bureaucrats and their off springs; they will not be the choice by default. I am optimistic however. I am very sure that there is someone somewhere out there writing up a plan, organizing on grass roots level, putting the teams together, reviewing the constitution, identifying and addressing the problems, sharing and solidifying the vision, thinking about all of the Pakistanis beyond any lines of divide, creating a coherent group of loose likeminded organizations, is either in Pakistan or outside. The end goal is CHANGE, prosperous future, national dignity, a true sovereignty void of foreign debts, influences; an indigenous industrial and technological self-sufficiency. Beggars cannot be choosers or sovereign. I always remember that.

Is it you? Or is it me? I know it’s one of us… It’s a matter of when, not IF. If is not an option anymore!

Stay optimistic, articulate your thoughts and find the under currents in your surroundings. Persistence will prevail and we will have a new Pakistan, from scratch! I have a very strong gut feeling that this current system and leadership will be irrelevant soon, count on it and have faith. You will be surprised to find out that you are not alone in your thoughts; you are surrounded by people who share your vision. Reach out and start talking. You never know what you will stumble upon. And while at it always remember your civil responsibility and your ownership of Pakistan. Before you take back your country, burning it before hand is what you will inherit, its infrastructure, its roads, its buildings, its people; it’s all you and yours – when the time comes, revolt and rise up in a responsible fashion.

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