2010 remains a year of sufferings and struggle for Pakistan

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

LAHORE: Pakistan said goodbye to 2010, leaving behind the year of insecurity, political disorders, bad governance, corruption scandals and increased foreign influence with the hope that judiciary and media activism would continue in 2011 to bring peace, prosperity, good governance and strong sense of sovereignty to the nation.

Life is in optimism, which opens new avenues and innovative thinking to the nations for solutions to the prevailing problems and issues, while pessimism is a blind alley that closes all doors for the ray of hope to enter.

Unfortunately, 2010 brought 467 bomb blasts killing 1,544 people and wounding 3,571 with 42 blasts only in January. Four deadliest and unforgettable blasts hit Lahore. At least 63 people were killed in March 12 blasts in Moon Market while Model Town and Garhi Shahu incidents on May 28 claimed 100 lives. July 1 Data Gunj Bakhsh blasts killed 44 people while September 1 Karbala Gamay Shah blasts claimed 43 lives. Fortunately, people and the law enforcement agencies are fighting the terrorists bravely and hustle bustle of life is there in all the cities of the country that reflects undaunting sprit of the nation and that morale is still high.

Unfortunately the nation suffered the worst calamity in the form of devastating floods that began in July 2010 following heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan and affected the River Indus basin. At one point, approximately one-fifth of the Pakistan’s total land area was underwater. According to the government data, the floods directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, with a death toll of close to 2,000. The number of individuals affected by the flooding exceeds the combined total of individuals affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Fortunately, the nation got united to brave this calamity. The governmental and non-governmental organisations as well individuals stepped forward to help the flood-hit people and the floods brought about unity and national solidarity. The whole world saw that the nation stood firm and fought terrorism as well as the natural calamities bravely. Seeing the courage of the nation, international community also stepped forward to support the country. The European Union is going to give special incentives in the form of trade and this would open new chapter of growth of business and industry in the country.

Unfortunately, corruption scandals tainted the Pakistanis cricketers during the year. Fortunately, in sport, especially cricket, Pakistan won the title of World Cup Twenty-20, winning fame and name for the nation.

Bad governance, corruption and heated political attacks on rival groups and individuals adorned the media talk shows and news throughout the year. The media viewership increased manifold during 2010 as viewers say they feel a sense of catharsis after seeing politicians in hot water while failing to find proper answer during their media trials.

Socio-political unrest is there in the society but the point one may consider commendable is that democracy is working even in its weaker form in the country. Further, it also remained somewhat positive that rivals PPP and PML-N have learnt the lesson of co-existence. The other nations of the world that are considered now part of the developed world also went through such transition phases and one may hope growth of the democratic institution in the coming years.

Seeing in the broad spectrum where at least two pillars of the state, the judiciary and the media are seen improved and developed compared to 2009, the 180 million Pakistanis may visualise the dream of a prosperous Pakistan in future.