FREEEEDOMM!!

So, Pakistan is 60.

Is this, todays Pakistan, what Jinnah and our parents and grandparents fought for.

Yes, these 60 years have had many moments when it seemed that we would fulfil our true destiny. Like the decades of 60's when hopes were high and dreams were bright or the 70's when the Islamic Summit in Lahore seemed to be the advent of a true Islamic renaissance.

Where than, did we go wrong? When did our hopes turn into despair and cynicism. When did we decide to leave Pakistan to its fate and migrate in great hordes to whichever country would take us. When did we lose faith in ourselves and in our country. When did we decide that we would no longer participate in our nation's destiny? By stopping to vote, by stopping to participate in the political and democratic process. By turning into drawing room arm chair critics. Active only in finding fault.

Why are we like putty in the hands of those who decide Pakistan's fate, whether they are homegrown or of the foreign variety. In other words why are we, the great silent majority, SILENT.

The messages that I received on this 14th August were not the messages of hope that you expect from a nation that truly believes in itself. They were critical and anguished. Despair writ large on the destiny that is still not in our grasp.

But here, I have another question. Why is it that 14th August is mostly looked upon as a Holiday, a day of rest. Neither a day of remembrance for the sacrifices during the partition, nor a day of hope and commitment to resolve to do our part in nation building. Yes the advertisements were bigger. Words like Pledge and commitment were boldly written. But thats all there was to it. Paper tigers.

When will we stop criticizing and start participating! Nation building has to be a collective process. By each and everyone of us. Whatever little we can do will translate into a lot.

This is not about whoever is at the helm of affairs of the government, be it Musharraf or Nawaz Sharif or Benazir. We can, each one of us, start the process of change. By ensuring that we help others in need, By taking on the task of teaching, nurturing, mentoring. By organising our communities and those in need and ensuring that progress is not a distant dream for our fellow brethren.