8/8/2019 A Letter to the Youth of Pakistan

1/3

A letter to the youth of Pakistan

Dear Young Pakistani!I understand how these times are testing of your patriotism, but letme tell you how these times are actually a golden opportunity foryou to prove your worth, your love for the country, and desire for abetter future.

You must have been hearing a lot about how Pakistani society hasdegenerated into moral chaos, how we as a nation are worthlesscockroaches, and how we as a nation are deserving of calamitiessuch as the catastrophic flood. These are all baselessgeneralizations that you as the youth should take up as challenges,and rather than accepting such fatalism, prove them wrong instead.

For those of you who were disheartened by the beating to death of two brothers in Sialkot by a mob, dont be disheartened. Use thisevent to realize the importance of justice, the importance of rule of law. Many of you went out on the roads of different cities of Pakistandemanding justice to the deceased brothers. Excellent. Be involved.Stand up and question any wrong that you see happening aroundyou. Refuse to consent to injustice; otherwise you are one of thespectators of the mob-justice scene in Sialkot.

Many young hearts felt for the Ahmeddi community when they wereattacked while praying earlier this year. More hearts clenched upon

hearing of mistreatment of the corpse of a patriotic non-Muslimyoung man. Many of you are still haunted by the killings of Christians in Gojra last year. Take these opportunities to promiseyourself to protect, respect, and treat equally all humans, and allPakistani citizens, regardless of their personal beliefs, faith, or wayof life.

In his speech at the Dhaka University in 1948, Jinnah said: Freedomwhich we have achieved does not mean licence. It does not meanthat you can behave as you please and do what you like irrespectiveof the interest of other people or of the state. A great responsibilityrests on you and now more than ever, it is necessary for us to workas a united, disciplined nation. What is required of us all is aconstructive spirit and not a militant spirit. It is far more difficult toconstruct than to have a militant spirit. It is easier to go to jail orfight for freedom than to run a government.

Thwarted in their desire to prevent the establishment of Pakistan,our enemies turned their attention to finding ways to weaken anddestroy us but they have been disappointed. Not only has Pakistansurvived the shock of the upheaval but it has emerged stronger and

better equipped than ever.

8/8/2019 A Letter to the Youth of Pakistan

2/3

For those of you who are disappointed in some in the Pakistanicricket team. Dont be disappointed. Make a promise to yourself notto be involved in bribery, in fixing, in betting. If you play cricket,take this opportunity to prove yourself as an honest and dedicatedsportsman. Play the game according to the rules, and be the prideof the nation. You should also realize that the Pakistani cricket teamhasnt gone wrong; just a few individuals that are part of it mighthave.

Many of you have given up hope in the Government of Pakistanafter hearing of corruption charges and inadequate response to helpflood survivors. Dont give up hope. The Government runs on thetaxes each one of you pay in one way or the other. Demand betterperformance of the Government. Aspire to join the civil services.Aspire to become a politician. If you will not take a stand, if you willnot work to remedy wrongs, then nobody will. Feel the thrill of beingthe first to oppose dishonesty, corruption, and indiscipline. Call upthe civil authorities when you see street lights on during the day.Request shop owners to use minimal electricity. Ask those overtaking you in queues to respect everyones patience. Nobody can orshould go against you when you stand for what is right.

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in a message to the AllPakistan Educational Conference in Karachi on November 27, 1948,said: What we have to do is to mobilise our people and build up the

character of our future generation. In short, this means the highestsense of honour, integrity, selfless service to the nation and senseof responsibility, and we have to see that our people are fullyqualified and equipped to play their part in the various branches of economic life in a manner which will do honour to Pakistan.

Avoid talking negative of others. Instead, spread positive energy;something that will multiply to benefit everyone.

Dont believe everything you hear until youre sure. Dont getbogged down by the medias portrayal of your country. Everything iswhat you make of it. Be objective in your observation. Consideryourself lucky to have a media that informs you of unfortunateincidents. Be glad that you have a judiciary that takes a standagainst injustice.

You have to realize that issues amongst people arise in all corners of the world, not just Pakistan. There are bad people in every country,not just in Pakistan. Therefore, you need to be smart and treat theseissues as human issues, not national. But on a national level, youmust push for policies that regulate all individuals better, for thebenefit of each citizen of Pakistan.

8/8/2019 A Letter to the Youth of Pakistan

3/3

Finally, as a Pakistani, always remember three core values: unity,faith, and discipline.

Usama Khilji is a writer, debater, and social activist based inIslamabad. He is the Membership and Mentoring leader of FutureLeaders of Pakistan.