The present population of Pakistan is reported to be 150 million. No reliable statistics are available of its composition. I would like to know what percentage is called the sons of the soil i.e. those who were already living in the geographical area which later (in August 1947) became Pakistan, and how many migrated from other parts of India to make Pakistan their adopted country.
Incidentally it is disturbing that this group of people and even their children born here are still called Muhajirs, which also indirectly means that we are Punjabi, Pathan, Baloch and Sindhi first and Pakistani later. Only those who migrate abroad forget this distinction and become patriotic Pakistani. This establishes that after 57 years of independence we are yet to become a nation in the true sense.
Going by the ideas and intentions of the founder Quaid-e-Azam as evidenced by his recorded statements, though established as a Muslim sovereign state Pakistan was meant to be a homogenous home for minorities like Hindus, Christians, Parsees and others then residing in the region.
They were assured equal status without distinction of caste, creed and colour under secular governance. It was however unfortunate that following partion riots overwhelming majority of Hindus crossed over to India, and the Mullahs who had opposed the creation of Pakistan are attempting to monopolise it as a theocratic state.
Pakistan's development and progress has a chequered history. If you take into account that we started from scratch, Pakistan has come a long way to become a nuclear power. But we have failed to live up to our potential due to political, social and economic problems.
According to a recent survey of 200 countries we are listed low down at number 147 in HDI (Human Development Index). On the other hand we rank amongst the first five in corruption chart. From time to time we are branded as a terrorist state and economically considered on the brink of failure. Over 33% of our population lives below subsistence level and 70% of our people are still illiterate.
In the above context the question arises where and why we have gone wrong? At the start notwithstanding the insurmountable problems that faced us we survived and stabilised, because a spirit of goodwill, bonhomie and comeradery prevailed amongst the people without the overbearing interference of the administration. But the decline began because of the lack of competent leadership and political infighting.
The first Prime Minister of Pakistan was assassinated. For ten long years we could not draft a constitution and lay the foundation of sustaining democracy. By 1958 the army took over the reins of the country and has kept on displacing elected governments from time to time.
There is nothing much to choose between civilian and military dispensation, as both have fallen short of people's expectations.
Taking a bird's eye view of the rulers, Gen. Ayub Khan brought stability after the political chaos of the first decade. Some economic development took place and law-order improved. America was befriended to the extent that we became their satellite state. War with India wherein we faltered was the beginning of the end of Ayub era.
Corruption had increased, dissatisfaction prevailed. The 'Field Marshall' became unpopular and was compelled to hand over power to General Yahya Khan, who held a fair and transparent election with a view to restore democracy but was ham handed in handling troubles that arose particularly in East Pakistan. Consequently our Bengali compatriots revolted and sought India's help to liberate them, who gleefully proceeded to humiliate Pakistan Army forcing an unconditional surrender by 90,000 troops. Pakistan was amputated and Bangladesh came into existence.
The self acclaimed champion of democracy Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto manoeuvred to come to power in what was left of Pakistan. He raised the hopes of the masses by promising Roti, Kapada and Makan, only to disappoint them. His nationalisation policy was a blow to economy. His arrogance and highhandedness made many enemies.
He had started with a bang but finally ended with a whimper when Gen. Zia-ul-Haq brought about his judicial hanging terminating the short lived democracy, to perpetuate a dictatorial rule for eleven long years.
General Zia crushed Pakistan's democracy under his military-cum-religious boots, sowing the seeds of fundamentalism which curbed institutions and retarded intellectual enlightenment. He has left behind a legacy of fanaticism developing into intolerance and extremism to plague Pakistan with sectarian violence and terrorism. In his own perception he was chosen by Allah to serve Islam, but in reality he did more harm than good to our social structure. After his death in an air crash democracy came to be restored in Pakistan, but only to be used for personal aggrandisement by the alternating governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Both proved inept rulers and their mismanagement corrupted the administration to bankrupt the economy of the country.
This state of affairs lasted for a decade, at the end of which the army had to step in again ostensibly to save the country from ruin.
General Parvez Musharraf started with all sincerity to mend matters with an agenda of reforms. He faced a Herculean task as Pakistan was financially broke suffering under stringent sanctions and US antagonistic to his rule. There was therefore little hope of his success. But as luck would have it 9/11 changed international equations. His bold and pragmatic decision to abandon Taliban, made him US ally instead of an adversary overnight. Then on he has survived one crisis after another including repeated assassination attempts on his life, to stay put.
He has restored democracy at least in form if not in substance. His singular success has been to turn around economy. But he is not yet out of the woods and uncertainty prevails over political, constitutional and uniform issues. Non stop terrorism and crippling poverty in the country haunt him constantly. He has begun to mend fences with India to forestall risk of war, but total reconciliation and resolution of Kashmir dispute is far in the future.
As things stand today the prospects of peace and prosperity for Pakistan in times to come remain a mirage. So let us keep our fingers crossed and hope for an oasis to come our way.