Daily Times

In the developing world the term activism is deemed to be fit either in politics or demonstration for basic rights.

The fact of the matter is that activism can be brought into use in every walk of life like art, economy, and technology. But the prerequisite for it is the existence of conscious minded people in a society. One can object on the wrong policy of an entity that functions within the boundaries of a certain society. Thus, activism can’t be limited to a few aspects of an individual’s social life.

The word activism, was first used in the 1960s, but politically and later on it was introduced in other fields as well. The academic works of people like Mancur Lloyd Olson and Charles Tilly testify to this fact. The word activism implies advancing the concept of justice in society.

We are lucky to have educated and talented social right activists amongst us. For instance, Jaleela Haider, Manzoor Ahmed Pashteen, Muhammad Jibran Nasir and Ammar Ali Jan are a few, who the youngsters could look up to. While mentioning all these names it would be unfair to overlook the names of the late Asma Jehangir and Sabeen Moeen. All these people have stared the status quo straight in its eyes, and have done their best in bringing a change in society

Every conscious minded Pakistani wants to do something for the betterment of society, but very few practically embark on the journey of activism. That’s because only a few muster up the courage to confront the status quo. Most people who aspire to be an activist give up on their ambition of activism, due to the unavailability of an appropriate platform. Further they go on the back foot as they can’t put their near and dear ones in danger for the sake of their own satisfaction. Thus, they intentionally stop thinking about activism.

However, those who emerge through all these hurdles become an inspiration for millions of people. We are lucky to have few very educated and talented social right activists among us.

For instance, Jaleela Haider, Manzoor Ahmed Pashteen, Muhammad Jibran Nasir and Ammar Ali Jan are the few whom the youngsters could look up to. While mentioning all these names it would be unfair to overlook the names of late Asma Jehangir and Sabeen Moeen. All these people have stared the status quo straight in its eyes. They have done their best in bringing a change in society.

Activism ought to exist in every walk of life especially in countries like ours where individuals and institutions carry out wrongdoings without any check and balance. These misdeeds aren’t limited to any specific person or institution, but are omnipotent in our country. Thus, every entity within the boundaries of Pakistan, should have people who can identify when they make mistakes. Such people are activists and harbingers of activism, which is the need of the time

Such faces are the true representatives of our society. They earn a good name for the country in two ways. One, the society in which they carry out social activism is globally deemed as tolerant. And two, their resistance against the status quo becomes an identity of their country.

To conclude, activism ought to exist in every walk of life especially in countries like ours where individuals and institutions carry out wrongdoings without any check and balance.

These misdeeds aren’t limited to any specific person or institution, but are omnipotent in our country. Thus, every entity within the boundaries of Pakistan, should have people who can identify when they makes mistake. Such people are activists and harbingers of activism, which is the need of the time.

The writer can be contacted at asifmahsud44@yahoo.com

Published in Daily Times, October 4^th 2018.