Pakistan is a nation of socially aware people (for most part), who are aware of and are actively engaged in current happenings at national and global level. Be it the bourgeois cafe's or lounges of Karachi or chai wala hotels in the rural ares, everyone is engaged in talks about current affairs. Thanks to numerous media outlets (operating since 2007) that have sprung up in the country, nothing goes unreported. Whether the media is a positive or a negative influence is another story, but it definitely has challenged the common masses to actively think about their rights as well as engage in grass root level politics. Moreover, the average common man in Pakistan is more aware than he was during the era when only PTV (Government run national television) was the sole source of information for masses.
One would seem to think that such a transformation in mindset of common people will bring about some sort of change in their attitudes. It can be argued that a well informed individual is prone to making the right choices or at least telling the difference between right and wrong. However, one look at the Pakistani society is enough proof that this hypothesis may not entirely be true. What we see in our day to day lives is increase in crime, corruption and a general sadistic features perforating our society. If I start naming the vices populating our society I would probably never finish this article. However, one vice that I particularly underline as a major flaw in our society is apathy.
Everyday we hear on the news, read on the print media about various killings across the country ranging from terrorism to pure crime and often politically motivated killings. Every day I see my colleagues just nod their heads and go on with their day to day work. Kya karein aaj kal tou her taraf dhamakay hain..apni fiker kero bhai..apni fikar (What can we do? There are blasts everywhere today...just watch out for yourself). Some people even argue that this apathetic attitude is inherent in ultra violent societies, like ours. The proponents of this idea even rid the blame from such apathetic people and declare the increasing violence as the stimulating factor of this apathy.
The cause of this apathetic attitude is not in black and white and one has to tread on many thin lines to reach a final conclusion. However, the undisputed view that whoever or whatever may be causing it, apathy is a vice and it needs to be uprooted. Amar BilMaroof Wa Nahi Anilmunkir (Doing the right thing and stopping evil) is not such a bad concept after all. I am by no means a religious enthusiast, and my religiousness is normally limited to a few Jummah prayers and Eid prayers every year; yet this golden principle forms the basis of any sane society. It essentially is guiding light for rule of law, who shall enforce this law differs from place to place, somewhere it is the Homeland Security's job while Mutawwas undertake it in other countries. However, being a proponent of Amar bil Maroof doesn't mean that you grab a stick and start enforcing the rule of law. Such acts would be termed as unlawful, vandalism and in some instance challenging the writ of state (Laal Masjid is case in point). But one must at least realize the wrongs and recognize them with their heart and soul. Realization, as they say is the first step towards inception of a dream. In short, doing our least bit is to realize and point out what is wrong. Sometimes, we need to stop and spare a thought for all those suffering around us. Sometimes we need to share and feel the pain of people around us. Please say NO to apathy and do your bit by keeping humanity alive in our society.
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