It is onwards and upwards in 2011

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

The title of this column has been inspired by the New Year resolution that was posted by a friend on the social network Facebook. Despite constant fears of an ever-growing economic crisis and in spite of all else that is not quite right, somehow, I feel that we will emerge out of the present mess in Pakistan. This realisation stems from the fact that the basic premise, the bulk of the people and the abundant natural resources of the country remain intact. It is the varied holding on to power strategies by one ruler after another that have landed us in this royal, undeserved mess.
The very ethos that is Pakistan is made up of its natural leanings towards the teachings of the Sufi Saints, who spread the message of Islam through peaceful means. Our Saints or their messages cannot be undone by those who want to bomb their mazars and their followers into oblivion. It is, indeed, ironic that our forefathers founded this country so that we will be able to live the way we wanted and practice freely whatever we believed in, without any fear or insecurity. It has sadly come to pass that now the only thing we are afraid of is being sudden targets of a brainwashed little suicide bomber when going to Data Sahib or similar places or commemorating the Shahadat of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) or even just while offering juma prayers in a mosque. Muslims targeted by so-called Muslims. One school of thought killing another.
The light at the end of this dreary tunnel comes from the fact that the Pakistani nation is not willing to go under without a fight. Everything which landed us into these circumstances is being questioned, debated and hotly argued at all levels, across the board. Nothing is sacrosanct or untouchable anymore. No establishment, no government, no fear-igniting so-called mullah, no agency, no policy. The fear has worn off. The light under the tunnel also stems from the fact that we have tremendous deposits of precious natural resources sitting here, enough to take us places among the comity of nations.
The superior judiciary is continuously undoing carefully woven get-away plans. And for the first time, there is an initiative of high standard schools, especially for the gifted among the poor, called the Danish Schools. The Punjab Government deserves appreciation for this effort, as these schools will give a chance to rise to their potential to those who would never have it otherwise. While it is important to look at and upgrade all the existing government schools across the country, the Danish Schools must be lauded and supported for the work they intend to do. The poor have to be brought at par with the more fortunate citizens as far as opportunities go.