Letters to BBC - 2

I think it is important for people abroad to learn about Pakistan through personal accounts. People are the same everywhere and can empathize with each other, beyond national borders. Emotions, fears, dogmas - these are altered with changing landscapes, but far less than what we tend to assume.

There are many misconceptions about Pakistan, courtesy terrorism and a chain of ineffective dynastic leaderships. The lawyers movement, for example, was popularly seen by the rest of the world as a democratic win; a step towards independent judiciary. People on ground, however, are skeptical and think otherwise.

In a country as poor as ours, someone rich enough can buy support at a pittance and entirely tailor a cause to his/her own needs. The sad truth about Pakistan is that while some discerning citizens understand this and are out on the streets, protesting about glaring atrocities, there are still many who will not give-up on the comfort of their cocooned lives.

Nobody can work in fear. And so, many who are without strength to face their fears, will resort to an ascetic lifestyle, shut out death and depravation for even a semblance of normalcy. Apathy is the new pandemic in Pakistan. Among other things, this is an adverse affect of the ‘war on terror’ and it must be addressed.