To The Land of Four Seasons | A Letter to the Homeland

Ayesha Mushtaq
1st Year MBBS

To The Land of Four Seasons

The Highest Mountains

And The Bravest People

To Pakistan.

My Dear Motherland,

Today it pains my heart as I think of the condition you are in. It pains my heart as I hear of the innocent souls mercilessly robbed of their innocence in Kasur. It pains my heart as I smell the blood that paints the walls of APS Peshawar. It pains my heart as I see the bloodstained scenes from Wagah. It pains my heart as I touch the soil once our part, now alien.

It pains my heart as I hear of the death toll rising from the Chitral floods. It pains my heart as I see the news of people being killed on sectarian grounds. It pains my heart as I see my people divided over tribal and ethnic affiliations. It pains my heart as I hear the cries for administrative units based on linguistic grounds. It pains my heart as I see the external interference in our national affairs.

It pains my heart as I see the unemployment rates and street crimes increasing day by day. It pains my heart as I see the darkness lingering on our streets, for we are faced with energy crises. It pains my heart as I see the long queues of vehicles in front of petrol pumps and CNG stations. It pains my heart as I see the many women who have been victims of acid attacks.  It pains my heart as I think of the corruption prevalent in nearly all our institutions. It pains my heart as I think of the doctors who exploit their patients for their own monetary gains. It pains my heart when I see educated and civilized people fighting each other over petty issues.

But then I look around, and I remember.

I remember that ours is a brave nation, of resilient and selfless people. I remember that ours is a country blessed with a wealth of natural resources. I remember that ours is a country home to some of the most beautiful, most breath-taking places on the face of Earth. I remember that ours is the country, home to the second largest salt mines in the world.

Khewra Salt Mines

I remember that ours is the country of one of the largest man made forests in the world. I remember that ours is the country, home to the largest deep sea port in the world. I remember that ours is the country, where the Eighth Wonder of the World, the highest paved international road is located. I remember that ours is the national anthem, ranked the third most beautiful tune in the world.

Chhanga Maanga Forests

Karakoram Highway

I remember that we are blessed with exceptional manpower. I remember that we have the seventh largest armed forces in the world. I remember that we have the largest contribution of troops to the UN’s Peace Keeping missions across the globe. I remember that we have amongst us, the youngest Microsoft certified experts. I remember that we have amongst us, the world record holders of Cambridge International Examinations. I remember that we have amongst us, the world’s youngest civil judge.

Top - Arfa Karim ; Bottom - Ali Moeen Nawazish

I remember that ours is the seventh atomic power of the world, and the only one amongst the Islamic nations. I remember that ours is the 26^th largest economy of the world. I remember that we have the largest ambulance service in the world.

When the mountains of Chaghi changed colour. 

Abdus Salam Edhi, the man behind the world's largest ambulance service

As I look around, I see the likes of MM Alam and Rashid Minhas, who established our superiority over the arch-enemy. As I look around, I see the likes of Wasim Akram, Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, all conquering the cricket grounds; and I hear Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s melodious voice echoing across the continents.  As I look around, I see the likes of Nasim Hameed and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, winning international fame for Pakistan. As I look around, I see the likes of Aitzaz Hassan and Mrs. Tahira Qazi, who laid their lives to save those of dozens of others. As I look around, I see the likes of Dr. Abdus Salam and Malala Yousafzai bringing home Nobel Prizes. As I look around, I see the talented youngsters who brought home a hoard of medals from the Special Olympics 2015.

Clockwise, from top right: Nasim Hameed, Dr. Abdus Salam, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Imran Khan

And this is exactly what compels me to believe, that all is not lost yet. This is exactly what compels me to believe that the vision of Iqbal, the efforts of Quaid, and the sacrifices of our ancestors have not, and will not, go waste. This is exactly what compels me to believe that the times may be tough, but our people are tougher. And this is exactly what compels me to believe, my dear homeland, that one day, you shall rise above all short comings, and emerge as one of the most successful nations of the world.

Pakistan's delegation at Special Olympics '15

Hoping that we live to see that day.

  

جب تک ہے یہ دنیا باقی

ہم دیکھیں آزاد تجھے