Not so Great Expectations!

When will life return to normal? Terrorism and now floods.

The best thing about the interaction I had over the last weekend with ladies and gentlemen from quite a few nationalities was that they had all gathered to discuss ideas in the light of different researches they had been part of or had come across some related work.

Over waffles, Norwegian cheese and iced tea, Dr.Robert Nichols, Professor of History at Stockton College, New Jersey USA, spoke about Swat and Models of the renowned Norwegian anthropologist Professor Fredrik Barth.

Professor Nichols does agree with the point of view that many have been impressing upon here at home as well. Moving forward in Swat according to him is only possible when the governments in the region are considered legitimate by the very people they are supposed to rule.

With images of women flogged by Taliban and reports of militants having reached as close as Buner,he feels that the way people of Pakistan asked for a full fledged military operation in Swat was unique in the history of the country.

Because, they say that opportunity never perches twice it is really important that the authorities in Pakistan realise that the time is ripe to answer big question on everyone’s lips not by mere words but real action.

It is not going to help letting people continue to see the damage all around them in the form of destroyed schools and infrastructure, simply meant to disrupt their normal way of life. When would people in Swat be actually able to see a hearing taking place in the court? Laws on paper are of no use if their implementation is no where to be seen.

The professor went on to highlight another feature of society here in the country. Youth of the country has expectations from their government. When they get a modern education, which many of them do manage to acquire, they need a future ahead of them, the first step to which could be a job. Modern societies are required to provide their own future with that opportunity.

So, I left the newly rebuilt Islamabad Marriott with a belief that with the right kind of support from the international community, both financial and moral (by reposing trust in Pakistan) logical conclusions to all the operations that were begun with an aspiration of peace and prosperity can be achieved. We must act now.