5 THINGS PAKISTANIS SHOULD GET RIGHT!

NUMBER 1

As much as I love my people and my country I sometimes fail to understand why we do something we shouldn’t. Something like telling a beggar to *&#(#)@!. Now, If you don’t want to give him the money don’t! You do not have the right to judge and insult him. If he was annoying you by rubbing his nose on your car window and pointing a finger towards sky and saying ‘Allah k name pae dae dae’ (Please donate in name of God), that’s why they are called beggars. Here, Ignore! The same ignorance we have adopted towards the injustices happening around us. If you have to say something, say something like ‘Allah hum dono ku dae’ (May God give us both). Beggars are smart; they won’t waste any more time on you.

NUMBER 2

Why is the whole country in such a rush on the streets? We are always late for birthdays, parties and not to be mention weddings. If the phattak (railway crossing) is closed, you will only be able to cross once the train has passed. Remember! Closing of rail track gates doesn’t mean that the two way road has suddenly become one way and all the cars on the other side of the road have taken an imaginary super cool flyover. Stopping your car, after cutting your lane and moving to the coming vehicle lane, in front of phattak gates is not going to:

• Get you to your destination any faster. In fact, it will only cause delay.
• Get you a trophy.
• Make anyone happy.

It is, however, going to block the road which will be followed by a lot of cursing, blaming and more cursing. On the same note, why do we have to fight with the warden if he/she stops us on breaking a traffic law? Through experience I can tell; it’s not personal, he/she is just doing their job.

NUMBER 3

People judge by the tags you have on. We expect to be respected while we only respect people who drive a four wheeler. Only thing that we ever say to the guard at the school/office/building is ‘let me in’. We want him to greet us but would rarely do so ourselves and even when we do, it is in a mastery tone. I am guilty of judging too. I judge people of being ignorant when they liter.

NUMBER 4

I am unable to swallow how people can act all so sophisticated and intellectual while not following some basic manners like not littering. It is something tiny but says a lot about us as a society. On a drive some friends were debating how the politicians are ruining the scenic beauty of Lahore by developing/ruining the infrastructure, during which one of them threw a wrapper out of the car. Right in the center of the road, worse was that it was normal for everyone. This is what happens when people focus on getting grades at school rather than education. A kindergartener once handed me a batch which said ‘every litter bit counts’ and I hope she gets its meaning before she sees her elders doing the opposite.  

NUMBER 5

Why can we not leave pathans alone? Are the other ethnicities in subcontinent jealous of them for not being ever colonized? Khans have ruled the squash world for good twenty-thirty years. Jahangir Khan has to date have an unbeatable world record of 555 consecutive wins.  We should be able to find entertainment in unity, peace and laughter; not by bashing other ethnicities but in small celebrations of happiness.