Happy 2010 Pakistan
GUEST BLOG by Nadeem Arif Najmi
It is all too easy to describe 2009 as an terrible year for Pakistan. A year of horrific suicide bombings on an almost daily basis, drone attacks and violations of our sovereignty, Pakistan being sold at the price of the Kerry-Lugar bill. crippling inflation, power cuts, gas shortages, tremendous deprivation and soul-rendering injustices against the poor. A year when the ruling elite enjoyed the perks of power as the country slided further down the list of would-be failed states and the poor, hungry masses begged for some solace amongst the tide of problems engulfing their lives.
Pakistan in 2009, was as far from Quaid e Azam’s dream as that cursed dictator Yazid was from Imam Hussain (May Allah be pleased with him). Yet we should not be ungrateful, nor pessimistic; because this year also witnessed a series of miracles that bode well for the future of our beloved motherland. The Cheif Justice and his brother judges were restored as those in power were forced to eat humble pie and the people of Pakistan emerged victorious.
The restored judiciary has not let us down. It has struck down the 3rd November martial law and NRO, taken cognisance of the Bugti murder and 12th May 2007, restarted cases about missing people, provided suo moto relief to a great many poor people and held the executive to account for its failure to check sugar hoarders. This list is by no means exhaustive, and we should be honest enough to admit that despite the incredible burden placed upon them, the judges have repaid the trust of the people of Pakistan with their momentuous judgements and actions.
Swat and Waziristan were cleansed of the despicable monsters who defiled corpses and abused women whilst claiming to be implementing Islam, and the writ of the state was successfully established in territories held by power-hungry terrorists on the payroll of the Indian intelligence agencies.
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan were finally given the right to adult franchise, and repaid in part for the tremendous sacrifices for the country. The new package for Balochistan, and the NFC award signed in Gwadar signify an earnestness on the part of the present government to provide the people of this great province with the justice which successive governments have deprived them of.
In short, 2009 was a year when the federation was strengthed rather than weakened and the credit for this goes in large part to the present Zardari-Gillani administration, as well as others such as the Punjab Cheif Minister, Mian Shabaz Sharif. We pray that 2010 brings us more miracles, and less pain. Let us end with the immortal words of Pakistan’s poet and spiritual father:
Lab pe aati hai duaa ban ke tamanna meri
Zindagi shamaa ki soorat ho khudaya meri
Meri dam se is tarah ho mere watan ki zeenat
Jis Tarah phool se hoti hai chaman ki zeenat
Pakistan Zindabad! May Allah bless you in 2010. Ameen. Sum Ameen.