Pakistan, as always, remains at crossroads. But there is still hope that the new players that have emerged in Pakistani politics, along with the old ones, are serious about making their country and the world a safer place to live. A few weeks ago, I meeting with one of Pakistan’s leading intellectuals, poets and analysts, Zulqurnain Asad, who asked me an interesting question: what would you do if you became the prime minister of Pakistan for a month? I pondered over this question for a couple of days, and thought about writing on it. If I am elected the prime minister for a month what steps I would take to prevent terrorism, spread tolerance, accomplish peace, organise law and order, provide justice, and not only food, clothes and shelter but also other necessities. I would consider it a great responsibility as well as a rare opportunity.
First, I would not like to go down in history as an idle idealist mouthing catchy slogans. Straightforwardly, I would get a blueprint prepared for the development of the country by commissioning the best intellectuals of the country (and of the world wherever they could be involved), and a nationwide debate would be initiated to suggest the best means of achieving national goals. There would be no surrender to any one person’s ideology, as people belonging to all ideological streams would participate in the process of nation building.
My second reform would be removal of illiteracy from Pakistan. I would make elementary education compulsory throughout the country, and open schools and colleges for higher education, which will be free so that all may have an equal chance. I would try to place equal opportunities within the reach of each and every member of society. I would encourage the study of various sciences and arts. The only way through which we can rise as a nation is to improve our literacy rate, as education is the fundamental part of a nation’s building blocks. I would allocate at least 40 percent of the budget to education.
Another strategy that I would make sure is to see Pakistan free from class conflicts, and national income would be equally distributed among all sections of society. Provision of food, housing and clothing to one and all would be given top priority in the Pakistan of my dreams. For accomplishing that, socialism would be the only remedy, which if sincerely practised would really usher an era of economic equality in Pakistan. It would be my earnest endeavour to see that my nation is engaged in some sort of useful labour for its livelihood. I would impose heavy taxes on luxurious and idle living. Industries would be overhauled, and the use of new machines and scientific approaches would be encouraged. Recovery of taxes would be made possible by all means. It would be ensured that all citizens get paid what they deserve. Salaries would be paid by cheques, so that is a check-and-balance system. It would be benefiting for both state and the people.
Pakistan is an amalgamation of people from various backgrounds with different mindsets. At present, there are only two schools of thoughts prevailing in Pakistani society. We need to find a balance. The position of the prime minister of Pakistan would give me an opportunity to help people work towards tolerance. If a woman does not want to cover her head, if a boy thinks it is fine to support gay rights, and if somebody does not believe in Islam, we need to accept all those views opposed to ours with tolerance and open-mindedness.
Moreover, I would work for rule of law. There are many laws that exist only on paper, including laws related to rights of women and minorities. I would ensure that these laws are actually respected by citizens but particularly by the state itself. This would mean that no one would be above the law, including elected representatives, military and law enforcement agencies. There are some laws that are contrary to the fundamentals of basic human rights, and are continuously misused as a means of targeting certain groups. Such laws would immediately be removed in order to prevent further abuse.
Last but not the least, the area for which I would work is something that needs a great deal of attention. Several textbooks used at various levels of schooling support military rule in Pakistan, promote hatred for Hindus and other minorities, glorify wars and distort the pre-1947 history of Pakistan. The biased material in syllabus is one of the major aspects for growing religious intolerance and extremism, as well as being in contradiction with the constitution of Pakistan. As the prime minister I would take serious steps to remove material from syllabus considered ‘inflammatory’ or ‘discriminatory’ to religious minorities.
However, being the prime minister for one month, it may not be possible to do many things, but many seemingly impossible things can be made possible if people become united. And much can be achieved if people think of the development of their country as their individual and collective responsibility.
The writer is Lahore-based social and political activist, and presently, he is linked with a humanitarian organisation working in interior Sindh. He can be reached at [email protected]