“My one hand caged within my father’s hold
I walked the streets of Lahore at night
Laughter surrounded me; lights dazzled me.
People crowded at every stall,
Busy buying badges, cards, and more
I saw, I saw on the mighty looming rod
The green emblem with a shy white
Had a star hanging in the lap of a crescent moon
The air blowing teased the flag
Making it flow like rapid waves in progression
It held me still yet continued to flap with a grace unbeknownst
It was love at first sight for a child of five.”
Seeing the little human being exploring the city with curiosity and joy, I thought and thought. What would our and his lives be had Pakistan never come into being? The spark in his eyes and the glow on his face compelled me to let go of my pessimism for once, and think of an identity-less existence, the branch of a rootless tree. And then it struck me; Pakistan is my land, the fruit of which we take pride in. It makes me identify myself with great men who rewrote history including Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, and Abdul Sattar Edhi. It nurtures me on the soil fertilized by martyrs, be those the brave Nishan-e-Haider holders or the dauntless children slain in Peshawar Attack, 2014. It reminds me of my struggle, our struggles, and struggles of those who fought to make Pakistan a reality.
Without a speck of doubt, I’m proud of the diverse artistic society Pakistan has evolved into. Our vast culture that subsumes the miscellaneous flavors and colors of the four provinces along with places like Kashmir and Gilgit. Not to forget our cultural heritage which speaks volumes about our true identity; our joyous festivals like Basant are unparalleled as well. Ranging from the most beautiful beaches in the South where the canvas of the sky gets painted in the hues of pink and orange the moment the sun sinks into the clouds, to the tall verdant mountain ranges in the North and everything that lays in between, Pakistan is a country of inestimable worth. The Deserts of Khar, Nara, Cholistan, and Thar exhibit the typical desert beauty with the fine golden grains of sand rolled over each other to form large waves of sand dunes. A heaven on its own!
I take pride in the tasty and renowned cuisine of my country above all. From the roadside tea to the spicy Biryani, the food here is, undeniably, the best in the whole wide world. Who doesn’t miss our mangoes during the summers when being abroad? Our Naan Chanay with Lassi make the most impeccable breakfast any country can offer. Yes, don’t take that lightly.
Whether you ask the German couple who embarked on the journey to discover the real Pakistan or just about any person anywhere, our hospitality is one trait solely attributed to us. We have gems like Abdul Sattar Edhi who are light at the end of the tunnel; the torchbearers who give hope to the doomed humanity. I’d like to add here that there simply was not (and probably will never be) a philanthropist, as sincere for the growth and prosperity of this society as him. And he too was a product of OUR country, Pakistan. May it be the people who take this country to new heights, the rickshaw driver who takes time out to teach kids or the fruit seller who gives toys to children out of his rather meager income, it is this desire to serve others that lives in each of us. And that is where my pride lies.
One characteristic that depicts how vigorous and broad minded Pakistanis are is their innate ability to absorb massive amounts of collective self-criticism. We criticize everything about our country and society; from politicians and sportsmen to military and just about every existing thing and yet still end the day with a hope of improved times. This constructive criticism is usually for the questionable happenings in Pakistan; we believe in accepting and rectifying our flaws. The ability to find humor in absolutely any situation is another quality embedded in us, not to forget our unmatched resilience. We rise after every fall; we excel after every defeat.
The character of Vito Corleone in ‘The Godfather’ once said, “A man who cannot spend time with his family can never be a real man.” And the one who can’t accept his family with its shortcomings and strengths deserves no family. Due to our joint family brought ups, we recognize the importance of family – be it financial, moral or emotional. This bond, a sacred one, holds more significance than any established through a material. And that is what makes Pakistan a commendable force to deal with if an external body raises a finger on one citizen, it raises a finger on the ‘family’ of Pakistan. Something we don’t let go off.
Yes, Pakistan has been a battlefield many times; we have seen rivers of blood flowing through it.
Pakistan has been a victim of energy crises; we have seen sweltering hot summers and cold winters.
Pakistan has been a dark place for our kids; we have seen thousands being abused and kidnapped.
Pakistan has been a graveyard for ethnic minorities; we have seen Christians massacred in the name of Blasphemy.
But Pakistan has its youth; it has us to help it counter the darkness that has cocooned it, to make its mark around the world. It has ambitious students who conduct movements for the rights of the oppressed. It is impure but ours to purify. So it is the duty of every Pakistani to help it overcome its imperfections. After all, how should one repay the entity who is the reason behind one’s prosperity? So, let’s own being a Pakistani. Let’s work hard to make our mother proud with our actions and achievements. Our every step should be to gain happiness of our brethren, only then shall we preserve the dignity of our land-our mother-our Pakistan.
Emerging from the dark times,
And rising above the criticisms,
Combatting our image on international front,
And ensuring our survival,
We had not, we have not, and we will not
Accept defeat- Because fighting back,
Is Just Part of Who We Are!
