Sorry state of Pakistan

Pakistanis, settled in Canada talk a lot about their country of origin and express their concern over the current state of affairs in Pakistan. They listen to Pakistani news to keep themselves updated with the happenings that are quite unpleasant and disturbing. Watching these news and programmes, one wonders about a scenario that is more or less like a living hell.
But the fact remains that Pakistan is one of the largest Muslim countries with 167 million population. I recently visited Pakistan and met a number of people, including big businessmen, who are thinking of applying for business category immigration. A large number of skilled people are in the process of applying or have already applied for immigration. To them, Canada is the best abode where they can get safety, security and a better life.
Canada as a country has a very good image in the developing world because of its policies, cultural tolerance, healthcare and education. Based on my personal observation and information, it was evident that Pakistan has been in the grip of violence, political unrest and natural disasters. But apart from this, there is an evidence of mass psychological disturbance and escalating corruption at all levels, especially among government functionaries.
Around 20 million people are displaced because of flood, many volunteers and international agencies are directly helping the people, but no one is prepared to trust the government in view of its corrupt attitude. The money given to government does not normally reach the people in need as happened in the past incident of earthquake.
Those affected by earthquake are not yet rehabilitated and there is no account of where the donated money went. Even the supplies that were to reach the flood-affected people, are snatched by robbers and some officials' en route to the affected areas.
A large number of affected people suffer from psychological problems and there is no provision for on-site counselling or psychotherapy. There was an identified need to train the volunteers in basic counselling in line with the concept of 'barefoot doctors' during Chinese revolution in order to provide psychological support for such a huge number of affectees.
The street violence, kidnapping for ransom and lawlessness is rampant. People are injured and killed in broad day light if they resist being robbed. The perpetrators walk scot-free as they are either the relatives or sons of law enforcement agencies and no one dare get hold of them.
Children from wealthy families are kidnapped and huge sums of money are demanded for their release. Sometimes these children are killed despite the ransom is paid. A number of people have become disabled because of street violence and sniper shooting for which there are no official figures available with the government.
Besides, religious fanaticism and terrorism goes on unabated. A number of pseudo-religious groups interpret the religion in their own way and try to impose on the people. In their eyes, those who do not understand and practice the religion according to their interpretation are not Muslims.
These fanatic groups resort to violence and terrorism that has kept the nation in a state of constant fear and vigilance. Targeted killing is a re-surfaced phenomenon where political rivals are killed on a daily basis; the sad part is the indiscriminate killing of medical doctors. The doctors are targeted in order to create public uproar and to give a flavour of ethnic vendetta.
The recent brutal incident of severe beatings to two brothers leading to murder by village people in front of the police is an example of extreme ruthlessness and psychopathy. Victimisation in the name of 'honour killings' of women goes unabated. The repeated bomb blasts that have killed hundreds of innocent people are continuing with increasing force and mindlessness.
The government appears to be a silent spectator by doing nothing in terms of apprehending the culprits and restoring the law and order in the country. Callous attitude of government, personal luxuries at the expense of taxpayers and total apathy towards the suffering population that was even witnessed by prominent Hollywood actress Angelina Julie on her recent visit to flood-affected areas is a matter of great concern.
People of Pakistan are praying for a divine miracle or a revolution under the current circumstances. No wonder why the people in Canada remain worried and those living in Pakistan are thinking of leaving the country in search of a safe haven.
(The writer is a Professor of Psychiatry at Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3V6 Canada)