Look at the Positive Side
By Dawar Naqvi
Torrance CA
I am presently in the USA and have been living in the West for two decades now. Well we in Pakistan are so eager to see what others are doing but we don't see what we are doing.
Recently, we saw many articles, speeches and talk shows about the judicial system in Pakistan. We compare the Pakistani system with the Western system especially the American one.
In the USA or Europe courts are honest, they don't take revenge. On the contrary the Pakistan courts are corrupt, NOT HONEST, and have a history of selling themselves out.
I have an extended family in Pakistan and we have some property too. In the past 50 years, a few of our properties have been under illegal occupation (kabza).
We have been to court plenty of times. We have been told that if we want a decision in our favor we must pay the Judge Sahib.
We paid eventually and somewhat got what we wanted. (We didn't have any other choice). Well, on the day we got the Court ruling in our favor the opposite party paid more money to the SAME JUDGE and succeeded in getting a stay order! Folks who are you comparing with foreign courts, lawyers, judges, judicial system, etc. in your articles, comments, and speeches?
I guess the writers just want to write an article and make money by selling it to a newspaper or a talk show.
We should see the picture rationally and view it in its entirety.
Another example: The chief justice was dismissed a few months back. There was a great hue and cry, a movement to reinstate him. Later, he was reinstated and we saw his reinstatement as a victory for justice, but what we failed to see was that the opposition invested lots of money in the demonstrations and managed the whole movement. Supporters of the chief justice addressed huge gatherings but there were no common men or public; the gatherings consisted of opposition workers. We all know each person was paid 500 rupees and a kabab boti roll in recent political rallies in Pakistan. No AWAM was there.
We Pakistanis living abroad see Pakistan in a much better position than before. Alhumdullilah, we have more respect now. If we are sincere and honest to our country of origin we should unhesitatingly look at the bigger picture – of hope and promise. I know some people don't have better things to do than just trash everything, please don't be one of them.
One thing I will say and maybe your readers will agree is that the media has its own interest and goals. If they don’t inflame emotions who would watch the TV? How will they get their sponsors? How will they make money? We as viewers shouldn’t act stupid and fall in their trap.
I want to see in your newspaper positive articles and letters duly highlighting the progress that Pakistan has made. I concede some mistakes were committed, but then don’t forget that plenty has also been done for the good of the common man.
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