The Lost Sprit of Nationalism
January 12, 2010
A common government, giving the locals sense of belonging, creative positive distinctiveness and creating opportunities to fulfill the common interest of people living in a territory explains the main features of nationalism. Nationalism is a force doing wonders. History is evident with various numbers of facts and images when nationalist sentiments have made losers win battles, creating new lands for settlement and making sleeping giants emerge as super power.
The “Two nation theory” was the base given for the Muslims of subcontinent which enabled them to distinguishing themselves. The creation of Pakistan was a result of those true patriotic and nationalist sentiments resulting in emergence of an ideological state on the map of the world. The struggle was fruitful because they had recognized the identity based on common religion, language, history and culture. In 1955 Pakistan incorporated itself into one unit because its national identity was threatened by external forces claiming that the pashtoonistan belonged to Afghanistan. In this period Pakistani people proved that there nationalism was much stronger to be dependent on any of the factors mentioned above. Unfortunately, this nationalism did not persist to stay much longer and Pakistan’s eastern wing became Bangladesh distinguishing itself on base of language from western Pakistan. This was the first major disintegration of people rather then the state.
The government was then always targeted for several reasons. Recently, termed as adopting pro-US policies and not nationalist, but if history is recalled which is full of facts and figures when Pakistan has remained pro USA. For example, Liaqat Ali Khan visit to USA, Pakistan joining the Baghdad pact, later called CENTO, the SEATO, assisting and recognizing Taliban against soviets during cold war era. All the nationalist governments of Pakistan adopted such policies since independence for security reasons when America was one of the super powers during bipolarity. Similarly, one must accept the fact that Pakistan had no other option than assisting USA in its war against terror in a world of unipolarity with no other alternatives available.
After USA invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan saw the emergence of a new group with strong deep roots already established in Pakistan – the Islamists. There emergence introduced a new foray and proved to be stronger than the idea of Pakistani nationalism which in effect challenged the magnitude of nationalist sentiments. As a result strong inclination was observed towards fanaticism which had a central ideology of universal brotherhood having no geo-political boundaries.
These groups attracted people living in rural areas of Pakistan where a lay man has inadequate resources to know the actual facts. There activities conducted through mosques and by establishing maddrassa system, resulted in emergence of a new polity within a polity. There leanings claming no boundaries brought a rebellion against the government in the capital and the nation further divided after the end of operation with a reason of sympathy for end of an evil in the capital of Pakistan.
Furthermore, Waziristan since 2004 has been a focal point with insurgency from Afghan side of border creating a war like situation which has killed over 1000 personnel’s of Armed forces, the suicide bombing syndrome is playing havoc all over the country which has largely affected our psychology and spirit of nationalism .The failure of state to counter these threats has resulted in promulgation of a state of emergency in the country, the polity stand between the devil and the deep blue sea. And above all the strangulated democracy has shattered the vision as well as discourse of society.
Nationalism acting as a blessing can also transform into a curse, draining man’s energy from his high nature, where he is self sacrificing and creative. Pakistan today is facing this form of Nationalism. Today every group trying to do good to Pakistan unaware of the fact that what harm is being caused to the roots. A lot is concluded today in the name of democracy, but none is concerned enough about the will of the masses. It is the masses who have become indolent striving all day for fulfillment of there fundamental natural needs. When Pakistan is cited from this angle of the prism, the colors of society bring a dilemma of issues scattered all the way with nationalism almost fading away. Minor and major events do accelerate nationalist sentiments but not at a steady pace. The nation must recognize the importance of uniformity and must be awakened again within every circle and group without any encroachment.
The term, “we versus them” is used often today in Pakistan in various circles but it must be used by us for other nations and states. We must endure each other with our energies focused on positive development. Nationalism is a super natural phenomenon and the previous generation is aware of its magic. We must Endeavour to learn the magic for becoming Pakistan again. (The land of pure)
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