77 years after Independence, most Pakistanis do not really feel the country has delivered on all the promises made in 1947. While the country has often faced crises but the current one is one of the worst. As an editorial in Dawn noted, “a pall of gloom hangs over the nation, with many — particularly the young — losing hope of living a dignified life in their homeland.”
As the editorial points out “the ruling elite has done little of substance to dispel the clouds of doom; in fact, they are the key reason why nearly 240m people today see no light at the end of the tunnel. While we are told that the economy is on the mend, a large swathe of the population is struggling with high prices, and many are being pushed into poverty or basic subsistence. On the political front, there seems to be no desire by any of the major players to achieve a grand concord for the sake of the nation. Extremist forces are also casting their dark shadow across this land, and threatening to devour the nation Jinnah built.”
The Editorial warns that “only path to redemption lies in upholding the constitutional framework, and respecting the popular will. Jinnah was crystal clear about this, and it rings true now as it did then. ‘True’ independence — and not in the sense of a political slogan — can only be achieved when Pakistan’s children are assured of a better tomorrow, and the people of this country are freed from a stifling existence, and can achieve their full potential.”
