Time to Decide: Quaid-e-Azam or Zia's Pakistan

Recently, we marked the 68th Independence Day very fervently and zealously, because of a surprisingly placid and secure environment in the country compared to previous years.

Most of the people give credit for this to the Pak Army for its ongoing successful operation against terrorism, which was rapidly pushing the country towards instability and insecurity. The operation was launched last June after the toll bell rang and Pakistan on the brink of becoming a failed state. The Taliban and its allies were ramping up their attacks, taking more territory, and challenging the government daily with the power of the state shrinking.

Schools and minorities' places of worship were under constant attack, innocent children were being killed and people were being slaughtered. The state of anarchy was at its height and dialogue with the Taliban had failed. Tension between the army and civilians had peaked and then the present Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif, wisely decided that it was in the best interests of the country to take action.

The operation was needed a long time ago, but the previous army chief, General Ashfaq Pervez Kiayani, had his own reasons for the delay and he was later criticised despite saying that the country faced a greater threat internally than externally.

Through the root of extremism can be traced back to a much earlier time, officially it was promoted and supported during Zia's era - a time that is remembered as the dark era of Pakistan. Sadly his policies are still haunting the country as the black laws and policies passed during his government are still on the statute books and are practised. Bu the time has come when we have to decide whether we want to continue with them or abandon them for Pakistan envisioned by our Quaid.

The present curriculum is the continuation of the Zia's, which promotes hate and extremism, and has made at least one generation extremists. Millions of people can be inclined towards terrorism at any time, but in the light of Quaid's speech we can save our next generation.

Apart from the international organisations, several national organisations have published similar studies and all have the same findings. It is very unfortunate that we are making our children extremists instead of peaceful and tolerant citizens, but the time has come to make a decision on whether we want to make it Quaid's or Zia's Pakistan, political rhetoric won't work anymore and something concrete needs to be done.

If we want to see our country as Quaid's Pakistan, then let's change it, not for the sake of the world but for the sake of our Quaid and our future generations.

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