Today was the parade. For most
it was the scenes of pride knowing the might of Pakistan dependent on such
latest technology. Defense! To be the main concern. And why wouldn’t it be.
Since security is Pakistan’s main concern now. Be it an internal threat,
Taliban, or imagined and hype given thought to be an external threat, India.
Either way defense is important. The essential part of defense is weapon so it
becomes obvious to depend upon the need to keeping up to the military needs.
All of it is true but then I wonder haven’t this been the case since the
beginning? Today its considered that investing more on military needs is better
since ideas for further breaking up of Pakistan is expected. Maps of Pakistan
without Sindh or Baluchistan are being displayed. But today its Sindh or
Baluchistan whereas, back in 1971 it was East Pakistan today known to be
Bangladesh. And investing on military back then even was essential. So I wonder
on the fact how much have secure Pakistan has become after the time of
dismemberment of East Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Should Pakistan still consider military to be the major concern when it talks
about the distribution of revenue? Is it essential to give 70% or more than that
to military than education? No. I think it’s time to think how spending on
education is more essential than on defense. By saying so I do not mean than the
military aspect should not grow. It should. it has its own importance but then
there are other aspects which are equally important for making Pakistan’s
foundation strong .
Education is the part where Pakistan needs to work on. It is not unknown that
there are many social problems which are connected in a way that may come to an
end if people become educated. This may also include considering certain tribal
traditions which are a matter of pride for the people rather than thinking what
impacts its leading to. Watta Satta cannot be stopped by a law. It can be
stopped only by the change of thoughts which people may learn. It can changed
only by the promotion of flexibility towards respecting others ideas . And this
will only happen when are people are educated enough to understand , respect and
tolerate.
Watta Satta is not the only problem. Pakistan is considered to be poor when the
element of health is considered. Many of the reports which I went through of
NGOs reveal that women are not educated and that’s the problem which is
connected to health. It is because they are not educated enough to know the
options which they can considered in the times of need. So the part where it’s
said ‘Something is better than nothing’ the situation leads to the condition
‘nothing can be done’.
This is the point where one should consider how other aspects of health,
education, gender inequality and justice are much more important than just
defense. It is because now the time is showing how by just ignoring these
aspects form the time 1947 they are clashing with each other. It’s a link. Where
few elements can be ignored for a time being so that other elements may become
strong but they should not be left out.
May be next time in a parade people would be much more happy and satisfied to
see happy , healthy ,educated Pakistanis then just technologies, people from
their provinces dancing only on their identities. It is because “Azad Raho” does
not only mean independence from external threats. Consolidation is essential as
well.