Daily Times

Although the 65-year history of our motherland is full of various types of crises, the current one in the shape of terrorism is extremely distressing. Incidents of bomb blasts and suicide bombings have devastated the entire country right from cities like Karachi and Quetta to far-flung tribal regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Northern Areas. Almost all public places, whether they are places of worship, holy shrines, shopping malls, educational institutions or government offices, seem to be within the reach of the terrorists.

Due to this ghastly environment, Pakistan has become a nether world for international travellers as many countries, through travel advisories issued from time to time, keep warning their citizens not to visit such a dangerous land that is unsafe even for its own nationals. Despite having ancient and historical treasures like Moenjodaro, Harrapa, Taxila, Mughal architectural heritage and scenic beauties of its northern regions, no foreign tourist is ready to take the risk of visiting Pakistan. Almost all major international airlines have excluded Pakistani airports from their air routes. For the diplomatic corps, Islamabad has become a non-family station. The diplomatic enclave in the federal capital presents a look of some military garrison where ordinary people cannot enter and those requiring consular and visa services from various embassies have to go through humiliating treatment and strict security checks at every point of the Enclave.

It is but natural that such scary and horrible conditions have laid distressing after effects on the psyche of the entire nation. This national anxiety is not only reflected in the overall behaviour of the nation but in individual conduct of people as well. One should not be surprised to observe that under these tense circumstances conspiracy theories are gaining popularity amongst a vast majority of our population. These theories are playing the role of some soothing medicines for the disturbed minds. So much so that even our educated lot fervently believes in these conspiracy theories in the name of ‘Saazish-e-Yahood o Hanood’ (conspiracy of Jews and Hindus) against Islam and the Pakistani nation. The ironic aspect of our ‘faith’ in these conspiracy theories, the majority of which have no authenticity at all, is that public opinion in our country is being built on the basis of these fictions. Such unsubstantiated conspiracy theories are topics of discussion on prime time talk shows of our private TV channels. The ultimate after effect of all this is further demoralisation of a helpless nation.

It is quite unfortunate that unlike its marvellous traditions set during the last two regimes since 2002, our national media has also failed to boost the morale of the nation at this critical juncture of our history. By showing mutilated dead bodies of victims, covering sensational aspects of terror incidents, and projecting the ‘other’s point of view’, they have been indirectly playing into the hands of terrorists and those who want to terrorise our entire society. The nation does not expect such a negative contribution on the part of our national media, which has played an excellent role by exposing corruption in government and political circles, strengthening democratic institutions and upholding the judiciary’s positive contribution in establishment of the rule of law in the country. Notwithstanding this positive role in national politics, some private TV channels cross all norms of responsible journalism in their race to ‘break the news’.

Credit goes to the Pakistani nation that despite all odds and threats of terrorism, a large number of voters came out of their homes and voted for a democratic change in the country. This valiant act has been appreciated throughout the world and President Barack Obama particularly mentioned it in his official statement. This ‘brave act’ of a terrorised nation was not only symbolic of its firm commitment to a democratic system but has also put a great deal of responsibility on the shoulders of the newly elected government.

No doubt, the new government has inherited a long list of issues and problems, each one of which has its own significance, but the daunting task of building the morale of a demoralised nation living in a terrorised society deserves top most priority. Thus the first and foremost agenda item for the new government should be to end the sense of helplessness in the general public. It is up to the new government to follow its own remedial prescription for solution of issues related to terrorism in the country but the nation, through its overwhelming participation in the elections, has given a loud and clear message that they want to run this country in line with other civilised nations of the world. Like any other cultured nation, Pakistanis also want to see their children going to schools without any fear, people belonging to various religions and sects enjoying their rights of worship in mosques, Imambargahs, temples, churches, etc, and each son and daughter of the soil having access to public places without any fear and threat. Pakistanis also consider themselves as part of the comity of nations. They want to see international tourists visiting Pakistani historical places and sightseeing resorts, all major international airlines travelling through Pakistani airports, and Pakistani passport holders enjoying due regard like any other international tourist in other countries. Let’s hope and pray that our new democratic government will turn our dreams into reality.

The writer is a freelance contributor