Author: sammilogger

Pakistan is passing through a period of internal strife, infighting and squabbles. It seems that every one is at loggerheads with the other. Political parties are shooting at each other. Army and politicians are exchanging barbs. Part of Pashtuns is up against the state. Evils of TTP and ISIS are staring into eyes. The society is polarised like opposing poles of a battery. Oppositely charged poles cannot coexist without sparking. It seems complete body politic of Pakistan is agitated, full of vengeance, charged and ready to cut throats. To top it all Pakistan is surrounded by hostile India, sanctioned Iran, dysfunctional Afghanistan and maliciously looking US. We have agitated environment within and without. External challenges can best be tackled by a house in order. In case of Pakistan external challenges are being exacerbated by infighting.

Pakistan needs a prophetic figure who puts a calming and soothing hand on yearning masses. With purity of thought and intention, he or she calms down every body makes bygone be bygone to let nation move-on. Every one should worry more for victory of Pakistan rather than own victory. In pursuit of own victory we are damaging each other and as a consequence weakening Pakistan.

It is said that ‘there are no facts, only interpretations’. Our responses to what we observe, read, smell and touch are based on our interpretations. We interpret people’s actions and everything else, based on frames of reference we have built over period of time. These frames of reference are also linked to how various aspects are perceived in a particular group of people. If we fail to interpret in a reasonable and justified way our responses will be faulty and even flawed. It also includes interpretation of injunctions of religion. Pakistan is known as a country where role of religion in human being’s life is the maximum in the world. It is nothing to be apologetic, however instead of being a strength it has become a curse due our faulty interpretations. Unenlightened mulla and self serving masses have rendered religious injunctions ineffective rather counter productive merely due flawed interpretations. Our education system ought to promote critical thinking and art of interpretation.

The world is in a phase of transition. Existing power is waning and sleeping giant is waxing. Thucydides trap is in play. Transition is taking place in geo-politics, geo-economics and info-domination. Unipolarity is giving way to multipolatity, petrodollar is threatened and more players are stepping in for info-domination. Transitions are always loaded with risks. Waning power goes overboard to prove it’s vitality. That is exactly what world is experiencing. Prudence demands that waning power should be made to believe that still it is all powerful so that it’s casus beli to go overboard is quashed.

Our preferences and choices are driven by our likings and perception of goodness. We are happy with those whom we perceive to be good. We mostly make our judgements by looking at superficial dimensions. However once we try to go under the skin our judgement alter. Mostly things vary on the skin and under skin. I sometimes wonder, actually good may be lying in what we don’t perceive to be good. Greatness demands that we love those who hate us the most. We opt to follow a route which is most beautiful. We take something which is most preferred. The least attractive person may be most neglected. The least beautiful route may be least treaded. The greats are not conformists and they are bold to break conventions.

70 years’ history of Pakistan has been full of violence due Wars in Afghanistan and with India. A society living with such a prolonged violence ought to be violent. This milieu has adversely affected our national character and social fabric. It also brought ultra right to rule the roost, which used religion for vested interests in otherwise less educated masses. Thus in religious education people are taught to find reasons for discord and hatred rather than love and affection. The critical thinking is too shunned both by religious teacher as well as wordly syllabus. This makes us conformists who are used by stake holders to serve their own interests. Even movies, propel violence. Role models of Maula Jatt and Kalashinkov laden hero spraying bullets are presented to youth. The solution lies in reformation of our society. Basics of a civic society like love for all, reward for hard work, justice and fairplay need to be reinstituted. All forms of media can be employed to create awareness and take people out of clutches of those using them as pawns.

Just finished A Memoir of this greatest mind of contemporary world. I was introduced to him in 1986 through his phenomenal book, A Brief History of Time: From Big Bang to Black Holes, to which I was drawn due my interest in black holes. He passed away on 14 Mar 18, the day is celebrated as Pi day in world of mathematics. Stephen Hawking examplified that mind is the real power a human is endowed. With crippling Motor Neuron disease, he not only defied death for over 50 years but also optimally utilised power of his mind. The usual dictum, ‘healthy body carries healthy mind’ may be modified that, ‘a strong mind can take care of a weak body’. Towards end of his memoirs he calls his disability as an asset because he could focus on research without wasting time elsewhere. WHAT A POSTIVITY? He says disabled should concentrate on things that their handicap doesn’t prevent them from doing and not regret those they cannot do. WHAT A POWERFUL MESSAGE? because we all have some form of disability.

Human ingenuity is dependent on symmetry to produce beauty. Geometric shapes, proportionate measurements and designs are used to ensure beauty. This can be seen in all human made structures. However, nature on other hand is not hostage to symmetry. Assymtrical shapes are more beautiful. Mountains, streams clouds all are asymmetrical but still beautiful. At the same time nature doesn’t shun symmetry. In certain aspects symmetry is there for beauty like human face, flowers and shapes of galactic bodies. Humans also attempt to create beauty in abstract art which is assymetrical. It shows how it is hard for humans to compete with nature.

Pakistan can be viewed in two main domains ie Functional and Divinity Domains. First, the later one; creation as well as life history of Pakistan bespeaks of divine design. Besides so many other supportive indications, it is a unique country which is blessed with a splendid strategic location which generates positive as well as negative connotations. Owing to this uniqueness Pakistan has for decades played a larger role than her potential, though not free of price tag. In 70 years of history for third time Pakistan has got the opportunity to play a pivotal role. CPEC is a blessing in disguise which can only be betrayed by our incompetence. Now, in case of functional domain there are contrasting views. Some say Pakistan is bound to rise while some pessimists paint a gloomy picture. I for one feel that even in this domain Pakistan is changing very fast. Although THE WRONG is preaviling but it is under tremendous pressure. Hithertofore, banished questions are being raised. Greater realization is emerging in the society. Nationhood is improving. Pakistan has started displaying confidence, self assurance and self reliance. In the recent past some decisions were bold, unbiased and interest serving. Such a low functioning country is surprising the World with her resilience.

In my beloved country where apparently WRONG is prevailing over RIGHT, once I ponder over measures required to cure afflictions; ruthless accountability in short term and good education in long term come to my mind. Rule of law ought to be ensured so that wrong gets due hatred and right gets honour and dignity. Accountability should first start with REHBARAAN, then MUNSIFAAN then MUHAFIZAAN and finally USTADIZAAN. If we wish to leave better Pakistan for our coming generations we must wage a campaign against these afflictions. Long Live Pakistan

In the contemporary world, while incidence of mega wars has diminished the incidence of conflict has increased manifold. The conflict has got disaggregated with numerous hot spots spread over entire length and breadth of the globe. These conflicts involve violence of varying intensity. Erstwhile wars were fought for land, riches and resources. However, modern conflicts are being driven by new factors. Firstly, techonlogical advancements have introduced internet and free flow of knowledge/ information. The knowledge is equally available to forces of order as well as those of disorder. Forces of disorder use this knowledge to perpetuate violence and conflict. Secondly, globalisation has facilitated free flow of people, money and resources which has inturn facilitated conflicts. Thirdly, social media is making human kind restless, impatient and confused. Conflicting information and disinformation is creating agitated minds which are prone to extremist tendencies. This too is contributing in propelling intra-society conflicts. Fourthly, better informed people coupled with assymetry in resources/ technology has incentivised havenots to challenge the haves. Besides this, assymetry in technology has on one hand obviated mega wars but has increased propensity for conflicts full of violence. Finally, multipolatity at micro to macro levels has imbalanced the power structure. There are less mighty but so many mightier. Every body is there to challenge every one else. With instinctive human propensity for rivalry and violence, the conflicts are going to prevail in the foreseeable future.