The dilemma being faced in Pakistan is not unique by any means. Politicians, by and large, tend to be unscrupulous and corrupt the world over, nowhere more so than in Italy. Politically, it remains one of the most unstable countries in the world, having changed governments almost as many times in the past sixty years. Yet, it continues to prosper. It was the same with France in the years following World War II when governments played musical chairs on yearly basis or less.

What made the difference in their case is that the civil administration and judiciary act independently. The day-to-day working of the country remains unaffected and continues to run smoothly and efficiently regardless of who is in power. If there is a crisis, its impact and magnitude is limited and contained, giving no opportunity to any Bonaparte to assume power in the name of saving the nation.

It was more or less the same in Pakistan until the civil service and judiciary were politicized and rendered subservient to those in power. Standards in the services declined and corruption and nepotism became rampant. In the absence of any organized and effective protest or opposition, things went from bad to worse and the institutions became self-serving. The limit of highhandedness was reached when a thoroughly unscrupulous dictator made deals with indicted criminals and put the highest judges in jail. This is when the lawyers took the lead and decided to act.

A lot more needs to be done not simply at the political level. Much of the responsibility for the failure in Pakistan rests with the people themselves who have not played their part in protecting their rights. It is a moot point, if the failure in Pakistan is not as much on the part of the individuals as it is of the men who rule over them.

Many, if not most, of the issues lie predominantly within the pale of the people and not the politicians. Others that do not can also be directly or indirectly influenced by them. The lawyers’ movement, Edhi Foundation and the Citizen’s Police Liaison Committee in Karachi are some notable examples but these need to be replicated in many more areas and at different levels.

If only a few years ago the farmers had been active in the same way as the lawyers, we would not be facing the growing food shortage that threatens to become endemic. They were well aware of the decreasing water supplies that were adversely affecting agricultural production. Yet, they failed to organize protests to bring about awareness and oblige Islamabad to respond to the impending crisis in time.

Perhaps, the most worrying spectre that threatens our future is the unsustainable rate of population growth. It can only be controlled through awareness, especially among the mostly illiterate women. The task is by no means easy considering the cultural taboos such as we have. There are strict limits to what any government can do under the circumstances. However, the more enlightened women can be very effective in advising and assisting their less fortunate sisters in matters related to family planning.

There is legitimate concern about corruption in government. The fact that the latter has failed to curb it, should not mean that we have to live with it forever. The people who take bribes do not come from some alien planet. They are some one’s father, uncle, brother, husband, cousin, friend, neighbour or are related in some other way. It will make a world of difference if we, as individuals, make a point of disapproving, disowning and reporting on such people.

One reason why our politicians are corrupt and ineffective is because we give them free rein once they get elected. There is little accountability or penalty involved. It is utterly naive to expect these people to police themselves. The responsibility of the individual does not end with the casting of the vote. The voters need to form committees to subsequently monitor the activities of their representatives --- their conduct, attendance in the assembly, how they vote, what they achieve for the constituents, etc.

The lack of literacy and poor quality of education in our schools and colleges, such as we have, is another serious issue. In the ultimate analysis, whatever happens is linked to it in some way. If each literate person were to teach an illiterate one for a year, it is possible to virtually eliminate illiteracy in five or six years. Similarly, small groups of volunteers could easily keep an eye on the schools and colleges in their localities to provide any needed help and ensure that these are functioning properly.

The vast Smithsonian Museum in Washington was donated and built by a private individual. Andrew Carnegie, a steel magnate, built and stocked 2,600 public libraries in the US. It must be within the capability of many in Pakistan to donate at least one such facility. We owe it to the country that gave us every thing. Nations are made great not by their governments but by people like Andrew Carnegie. True, we have our own inimitable Abdul Sattar Edhi and Imran Khan but many more can emulate their fine examples to ensure a better future for all of us.

For a country to prosper economically, it needs investment. It is a sad and regrettable fact that people with disposable capital in Pakistan prefer to invest and create jobs outside the country, making her poorer and politically and socially vulnerable in the process. It reflects a lamentable lack of commitment as well as poor judgement. Investing in countries where one is never fully accepted or respected, while taking away jobs and promoting instability at home, is not an act of foresight or wisdom.

The media play a critical role in the functioning of any state. In the case of Pakistan their role has not always been positive or constructive. Like the politicians and the civil and military bureaucracy, they too have not been free of corruption and ineptitude. Citizens can form media watch committees to ensure that the press does not compromise itself and remains focused on national issues, serving only the national interest.

We allow maverick interlopers to seize power, without protesting and let them run our lives as it pleases their whims and fancy. If foreign troops and aircraft attack our villages and kill innocent people we do not let our pain and anger be known. When our leaders illegally handover people to foreign powers to be incarcerated and tortured in the most inhuman ways imaginable, we do not cry out and protest. When there is no electricity and food shortage threatens because there is less water, we do not ask why no replacement dam was built. Bad things happen only when good people allow these to happen.

In the same vein, we have abandoned religion to some renegade ignoramuses to misinterpret and exploit with impunity. A significant segment of our youth has been led astray in the process, often doing great harm to themselves and those around them. Others are so put off by the hypocritical antics of the so-called ulama that they have turned their backs to religion itself. There is no shortage of talented writers, artists, sportsmen and individuals with a host of other skills. Hardly any of them make the effort to pass these on to the youth that needs them. Things do not improve on their own. There has to be a catalyst that can only be provided by the people themselves.

It is not the spirit and capability that are lacking. What is needed is some initiative, organization and planning. We saw these at work after the earthquake in Kashmir and the Northern Areas when Pakistanis set an example for the world, manifesting Iqbal’s contention, ‘Zara num ho to yeh mitti bahut zarkhez hai saqi.’ We need to recreate the same spirit in rest of the fields. Criticism for the sake of criticism, frivolous sermons and gratuitous advice, served out to people who have repeatedly demonstrated their inability to deliver, is an exercise in futility. It is up to each of us to assume responsibility and play our part for the good of all.