What is lacking is a sense of
love for the nation. Those who love would create situations and policies leading
to uplift the masses and making the nation look good in the eyes of the world.
This has to come from within each individual. Ratan Tata of India is the
wealthiest man in the world but he never puts himself on that list. His modesty
does not allow it, instead he donates immensely to charities all over India. A
few German motor cyclists wanted to ride recently from India to Germany through
Pakistan but were told by some authorities outside Pakistan to avoid driving
through Pakistan. Moin Khan, young man from Lahore, who made a documentary
titled, “Rediscovering Pakistan" sent the 3 Germans that documentary to watch
and then decide. This resulted in bringing the three Germans to Pakistan. They
are here right now. Riding their bikes from Lahore to Islamabad and then to
Karakorum; the documentary portrays the hospitality of the people and facilities
that are available and the ease of travel with good security. That is the love
for the country that we all need to develop.
When leaders do not demonstrate this spirit the responsibility falls on the
intellectual population, you and I. That is what young Moin realized and
developed the idea of the documentary. This documentary was screened in 33
placed all over the USA, Canada and the UK and raised his voice. They all heard
it. Somehow a voice has to be raised loud enough that people all over the world
can hear and readjust their impressions of Pakistan. We all have to step out of
our comfort zone and begin to engage the leaders in a dialogue. Pakistani young
ones are at par with the rest of the world. Intelligent, dedicated what is
lacking is the vision. We need to work on providing that vision. It can be done,
when there is a will.
Wajahat H Syed, Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore