Pakistan’s Forgotten Class

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: The face of the elderly woman in the picture tells a story of a lifetime of hardship, one that parallels the tumultuous history of Pakistan itself.

Her weathered, wrinkled skin speaks volumes about the decades she has endured in the “land of the pure,” a land that has yet to fulfill the promises made at its inception.

As she stoops under the blazing sun, collecting dung cakes for fire, one cannot help but reflect on the harsh realities faced by millions like her.

These scenes are reminiscent of pre-partition times, where millions migrated to Pakistan in search of a brighter future—a future envisioned by the great Quaid Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

However, as Jinnah’s dream faded with his passing, so did the hope for many who sought refuge in this newly-formed nation. The migration remains etched in history as a period of unimaginable bloodshed, with over a million lives lost.

Fast forward to the 21st century, Pakistan stands as a nuclear state, boasting advancements such as a satellite sent to the moon. Yet, the stark contrast between the rich and the poor is glaringly evident.

The elderly woman in the photograph is not an outlier but rather a symbol of the millions who are caught in a relentless struggle for survival and sustenance. Their suffering is unfathomable, their hope diminishing with each passing hour.

Pakistan is blessed with resources beyond measure, yet mismanagement has rendered these blessings futile for the majority. The recent budget has sparked an uproar in parliament, highlighting the ongoing misallocation of funds meant for public welfare.

This image is a slap in the face of the numerous departments purportedly created to support the poor.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/a-tale-of-neglect-and-waste-in-pakistan/

The reality is grim: this woman, along with countless others, remains invisible in a system that exploits their plight for financial gain. Billions of dollars siphoned off in their names, billions more gathered from international donors, and yet, these funds fill the coffers of a corrupt elite.

Names of these elites often surface in the Panama Papers, Dubai Leaks, or Wikileaks, revealing the extent of their corruption. The money stashed in Swiss Banks and offshore accounts could easily pay off Pakistan’s international debts and propel the nation towards prosperity.

Yet, the state remains indifferent. The lives of the poor, who live and die without making a ripple, are deemed inconsequential. Even in the aftermath of natural calamities, the promised compensations seldom reach the deserving, trapped instead in bureaucratic limbo.

It is time for those in power to stand up for Pakistan and its people. The darkness enveloping this “land of the pure” will only deepen unless immediate and decisive actions are taken.

If the corrupt are not brought to justice, Pakistan risks descending into chaos akin to the crises witnessed in Sri Lanka and Kenya, where public outrage led to the burning of parliaments and supreme courts.

This photograph is a call to action. It demands that the reality of our nation’s plight be confronted and that those responsible are held accountable. Only then can the vision of Pakistan as a land of opportunity and justice for all its citizens be restored.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.

Photo Credit: APP