STATUS QUO IN PAKISTAN

 Mix ethnic society

According to Smith (1991), there are six elements of an ethnic community: “a collective proper name; a myth of common ancestry; shared historical memories; one or more differentiating elements of common culture; an association with a specific ‘homeland’; and a sense of solidarity for significant sectors of the population”.  Pakistan current situation is quite complicated in comparison to smith elements of ethnic community. Pakistani community consists of five major ethnic communities which are further divided into sub groups and more than six minor ethnic groups. Five major ethnic groups are Punjabi, Pushto, Urdu speaking, Sindhi and balochi. Punjabi are in majority i.e making up 45% of total population of Pakistan.

Pakistan which is comprised of four units: Punjab, sindh, Baluchistan and NWFP. These four wings have diversities in term of socio economic conditions.

NWFP (renamed as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) comprise of north western region of Pakistan. Most prominent community of this area in Pathan community. These people are known for their bravery and being free spirited.  They are deeply conscious of ethnic and cultural unity. Recently issue of saraiki language and separate province was up. It was on basis that when NWFP is named after Pakhtun community as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, then why not they can make separate province for saraiki people. As saraiki belt is divided between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was basically a fight for their identity.

Baluchistan consist of tribal areas. Basic occupation of people are agriculture yet this land lack infrastructure as well as basic needs for existence of life. Baluchistan became a full-fledged province in 1972 after the annulment of One-Unit. Its total area is 134,000 square miles and population is 6.5 million according to 1998 census. Ethnically it is pluralistic. The main ethnic groups are the Baluch, the Brahvis and Pathans. A number of tribes (e.g. Mengals, Maris, Bugtis, Zehris, and Bazenjos) resided in the province. The main spoken languages in the province are Baluchi, Brahvi, Pushto, Persian, Sindhi and Urdu. Baluchistan has been the most backward area in terms of socio-economic indicators i.e. literacy, medical facilities, road construction & per capita income. According to the 1961 census, Baluchistan had the highest rate of illiteracy in Pakistan. The situation was the same in the 1981 census. Even the first university in Baluchistan was set up in 1970s. Baluchistan is quite rich in natural resources. Biggest assets include deposits of natural gas yet Baluchistan is unable to get natural gas royalty.  This is one of major issue causing ethnicity problem in Pakistan. The Baluch people do not have their due share in the political system, and wanted to change the power structure in order to ensure the fair distribution of resources

Sindh was known for his feudal background and still feudalism prevails there.  These people are also very concerned with their identity and culture

Punjab is most popular culture in Pakistan. This region is quite stable and most people use agriculture as their source of income. Punjab is relatively developed province in comparison to all other i.e. it has well organized infrastructure, more job opportunities and better education system.

Above situation explains prevailing ethnic problems in Pakistan.

CULTURAL CONFLICT AND IDENTITY CRISIS

Cultural conflict refers to particular situation when culture is undergoing some process of change, confusion or crisis or where different generations carry different life style.

Pakistan is facing cultural conflict in a way that Pakistan is being running and following same political national ideologies which was developed in 1857. Before 1857, indo pak was ruled by Muslim rulers which did not cause any conflict in culture but as soon as British raj started, there was a sudden change in everything including, dressing, shaving, food etc. they were compelling Hindu and Muslims to give up their cultural identity and adapt new one. Process of westernization was accelerated with enforced use of English language as medium of instruction and as official language.

After 1947, we formed an independent state where we were not afraid of losing our identity but our bad luck westernization did not left the country instead it was incorporated into new Muslim nation. According to contemporary authors conflict arise when two cultures exist in same society parallely.

Basically Pakistan should have established his own culture on which they fougjt for freedom. Currently youth is divided in to two halves, one is who love to read foreign literature incluyding novels and movies and see foreign media glamorized and attractive yet other half is “old fashioned”. Today youth follow westernization a way to survive in this dual cultured society. Important thing is English culture never left this region it is continuously traveling in our generation after generation and we still consider foreign as a superior culture which make our thinking of foreign as glamorized culture. These are things which are making our youth more prawn to identity crisis Examples are clearly present around us as our educational system, judiciary system.

ENERGY CRISIS AND WAR ON TERROR:

War on terror is a major issue of Pakistan. Since 2001 Pakistan has suffered many lives in war. Aurangzeb said that we have lost more than 50,000 people including army, police and civilians more than that country has lost 80 billion in this war (APP, 2014).

Because of war on terror Pakistan is losing his revenue which was previously generated by foreign visitors. Yet country is also losing his international image. Now in foreign stated Pakistani’s are considered as suicidal bombers and citizens of Pakistan are facing sever issue of getting foreign nationalities.

Energy resources are considered as back bone of any nation. Energy is always required to generate revenue in order to run our industries. Because of massive improvement in industrial development, increased population and more households there is an increase demand of energy resources such as petrol, diesel, coal and electricity. Pakistan is facing energy crisis from past several years because of his failed economic policies and lack of starting new projects to meet demands of energy in country. Electricity shortage and load shedding in quit common phenomenon among cities of Pakistan. This is not only pushing nation back on economic level but also on intellectual level.

According to Maslow’s hierarchy. It is important to fulfill basic needs of person for survival and as technology had advanced electricity, petrol come under basic necessities of human. If these needs cannot be fulfilled how can anyone expect nation to achieve intellectual growth.