Change in Thinking
By Fazal Hakeem

PAKISTAN’s proactive role for the cause of OIC and ECO as an ideological and forward-looking Islamic State is documented. Global inhospitable atmosphere has changed thinking and sensitized Pakistanis that policies should be formulated afresh to ensure political stability and achieve socio-economic development through strengthening of institutions, coherent, long-term and sustainable policies. Quaid-i-Azam’s dynamic leadership had inspired the Muslims of subcontinent for their own independent State.

He had compelled the British and Hindus to accept Muslims’ genuine demand for seperate homeland to lead their lives in accordance with the injunctions of Islam. Ironically, today the opinion makers are engrossed in an unfounded debate regarding interpretation of Quaid’s address of 11th August, 1947 he has delivered before the first Parliament as to whether Pakistan is an Islamic State or a secular State. The unpredictable world scenario demands creative thinking and critical analysis to meet the biased and high-tech Media and WTO challenges.

Change in thought is also taking roots due to developed States’ approach to Pakistan’s impregnable nuclear facilities despite Pakistan’s commendable role in anti-terror war. Pakistanis still wading the shocks of Afghan war. The bogey of religious extremism is also being exaggerated out proportion. Pakistan‘s policy is to combat religious extremism through mass participation with true Islamic values of peace and tolerance. In to the 3rd Convocation of the International Islamic University, Islamabad, President Gen Pervez Musharraf has emphasized “ we have to replace the instigation of hate, anger and militancy in Madrassas and print material with propagation of peace, tolerance and understanding”.

The society is divided into liberals and conservatives. Liberals consider modern education a key to all-round development and social justice. The conservatives are apprehensive that westernized people are pushing the State towards secularism. In between the two extremes, one class advocates a midway to meet the challenges. Nevertheless, there is a consensus that the present education system needs reformation. Corruption is another cause of uncertainty which encourages misuse of power, dishonesty and nepotism.

The menace is the root cause of bad governance. Corruption causes political uncertainty, intellectual stagnation, social injustice and national disunity. Corruption is also an harbinger of money laundering and its spreading tentacles are drug trafficking, fraudulent activities, smuggling, arms and narcotics business, terrorism, extortions and tax evasion. Pakistan has suffered on account of corruption and its indiscriminate plugging on war footing has assumed a consensual status.

Pakistan was created in the name of Islam, whose system of governance is panacea to world’s maladies. Has Islamic system been practiced in letter and spirit, Pakistan would have been a role model of pluralism, good governance, democracy, development and peace and security. The newly emerged scenario has brought the Muslim States at a critical juncture as to how compete the new culture of consumerism, open market economy and democracy. Some people think that culture has no exact definition.

Culture rather is a combination of feelings and expression like folk music, human approach, tradition, etiquettes, eating, drinking and values as a source of identity. While others confess the paramount effect of economics on thought and culture that has divided the developing societies into Westernized liberal and local conservatives.

Socio-cultural trends and positive thinking may emerge from family system, religious homogeneity with a spirit of tolerance and accommodation , love for traditions, living environment (urban and rural), economic equality, justice, creativity and critical analysis and participatory political system. Factors like family division, religious division, anti-traditionalism, urban migration, ethnic competitiveness, racial compartmentalization, economic discrimination, injustice and feudalism cause cultural strains, kills fresh ideas and are potential sources of cleavage and social tension as they mirror fundamental differences in outlook and belief. Therefore, progress in an amalgamated society like Pakistan could be determined through social mobilization being a sources of power and prestige.

In post 9/11 era, worldwide vulnerability has caused dramatic change in thinking. Developing States and Muslim world in particular have been left with no option except to meet the challenges with determination through intellectual creativity. Traditional pattern of political relationship determined by the social and personal relations need to be made history. It has now been established beyond any doubt that instead of regional, ethnic or religious groupings, defined and function specific politics should be encouraged. Continuous social and cultural change should be pushed to develop common approach towards political action.

In Europe, tremendous changes in human dealings, attitude and approach was the outcome of Industrial Revolution and continuous democratic process. In post-Soviet time, religion is being exploited for socio-economic gains. Professor Samuel P Huntington’s anti-human and anti-civilization theory of “Clash of Civilizations” no doubt, is the climax of intellectual dishonesty, giving push to the analogy that “might is right”.

Religious extremism, terrorism, nuclear weapons, democracy and liberation are the card to gain control of natural resources in the Muslim States in particular. Ground realities demand development of capacity to maintain certain kind of public order and mobilization of resources through establishment of institutions being the pillars to erect the edifice of security, development and justice.

Unfortunately, Western media’s partial and biased coverage has played and is playing central role in prevailing circumstances. It has undertaken an aggressive propaganda against Islam, Muslims and religious institutions (Deeni Maddarassas) in Pakistan. The unabated maligning of Islam, is most unwarranted strategy. The so-called independent and impartial media knows that the political unrest is because of socio-economic low indicators. Negative interpretation of political and social issues with religious tinge is prone to create turbulence. Partial reporting is a recipe to push the societies to a clash between ultra-Westernizm and ultra- traditionalism.

Change in approach and thinking is getting currency that poverty, illiteracy intellectual stagnation and causes of religious intolerance need judicious handling. Unfounded and negative projection causes discord, division and degeneration of the society coupled with insecurity, uncertainty and destabilization. Concoction and fabrication of stories is a source of undermining the economy and putting a question mark on State’s integrity and image.

Historically, when the Westernization came in contact with other societies, the clash of values and the nature of public authority in the adjudication of private disputes was the principal source of tension. In time it was discovered that the smooth operation of an explicit and formalized legal system depends upon existence of an orderly administrative system.

It is known that equality, capacity and differentiations are lying at the heart of development and process of social change. World Wars-I&II were fought due to imbalanced approach to world system. UNO was formed through active participation of USA to avoid repetition of catastrophe.●

© 2005 Fazal Hakeem