No Problem! Everything Is Okay
By Rafiq Ebrahim Valjee
IL
There were more happenings in Pakistan that I ardently wished to know first hand from friends there, and more details about what I had already learnt through the media. So I got hold of my not-too-rich friend living in North Nazimabad through Internet chatting.
“Please throw some more light on what actually is happening there - this girl-whipping and the offenders roaming freely everywhere, blasting places and killing common people?”
“These people have now got a free rein,” replied my friend. “The population in the Frontier regions is expanding; many fighters are sneaking in through the porous border from Afghanistan to escape the NATO bombings and killings. They strengthen themselves here with the help of many other residents who sympathize with them. These militants want their own country – or a portion of it – if not Afghanistan, at least some part of Pakistan. They simply cannot bear the shock of their own country being snatched away from them. They are also taking revenge from those who allied with the forces that attacked their country, and to destabilize Pakistan is their objective, to rule here is their dream. It is all because Afghanistan has been made unstable by powerful forces. We, the people of Pakistan, are suffering the consequences.”
“How should we deal with this grave threat?” I wrote.
“I have no idea. It is for the ‘masters’ and the government in force to come up with a solution. Certainly, there are so many brainy guys and lots of think-tanks. One thing they must never do is to use the armed forces. That would prove fruitless, as happened in the recent past. Besides, the ‘masters’ would have to spend extra billions of dollars, kill a vast number of people and further sink in the economic quagmire. Well, well, well, but for this, everything is okay.”
“Good that you are an optimist,” I wrote back. “Let’s come to some less serious matters. What about the constant load-shedding? Here in the USA it has captured the fancy of many desis. Articles are being written on the subject and it has become a hot topic of discussion in parties, at clubs and in drawing rooms. One of the guys I know is even writing a thesis to be presented in his first term at college. Our American friends are shocked to hear about it in this technologically developed age.”
“I didn’t know that it has become so popular there. One just has to experience it to get the real picture. Over here to offset power breakdown many people use generators. I too have one, but it is an old one, running on kerosene, and leaks as it operates, filling our house with its ‘aroma’. Besides, one has to pull with all one’s strength the rod which sets the motor in action. Sometimes I have to do that several times before it starts. This work-out makes me bathe in sweat. Feeling glad that the light is now on; one has to debate whether to watch TV or use the computer. While still debating and wiping the sweat off the face with a towel, the generator stops with a whine. One then has to repeat the process. Right now load-shedding has not yet started. It can start any moment, so let’s chat as much as we can before the shutdown.”
“What if load-shedding is in full swing and there is a bomb blast somewhere near where you are?”
“We the people of Pakistan are also human beings. We silently suffer the trauma, stress and grieve, and wonder why the authorities are helpless in protecting us against such acts of terrorism. There seems to be no safety or security of the people or properties. We fret and fume and shed tears after each attack. Otherwise, everything is okay.”
“Are they doing something to help our poverty-ridden people? What about the promised stimulus package which was to be given to the poor every month?”
“It seems that it was announced to appease the masses. Haven’t heard about the measure coming into effect, but wait, rumor is in the air that some people linked with concerned authorities are getting such packages by inventing non-existing poor families. Otherwise, everything is okay.”
“How about the political set-up.”
“Rhetoric and platitudes and more and more of the same every day. Besides high sounding claims and promises, nothing is being done for the masses. The government, visibly ineffective and lethargic, seems to follow the true tradition of all past governments. People are suffering as usual; otherwise, everything is okay.”
“What happened to the famous slogan, Roti, Kapra aur makaan?”
“It is in force,” wrote my friend. “To eat roti, you have to struggle to get atta. That means you may have to sell your last shirt. Kapra? A leader recently said that kapra, the clothes you are wearing, should last for at least ten years. Regarding makaan, a minister claimed that you should be contended with a roof on your head. Slums are increasing in all areas, otherwise, everything is okay.”
Wishing my friend all the best from the bottom of my heart, I tried to contact my rich friend, the CEO of an advertising agency, but he said he was too busy. He was busy with his team on a campaign highlighting the achievements of the government!
