03-05-2010, 05:08 PM
In response to Greatkhans,
Hello and thank you for that thoughtful response. You know all the examples you gave about Canadian politicians having to resign or facing criticism over what would be considered trivial matters in some parts of the world is quite close to reality. My point (leading back to my other post) is that we should not view these two countries and experiences through the same lenses. We have to place each situation in its own context. Yes, we can see Canada setting some examples that we should strive for (such as transparency in politics as you mention) but I donât think the moral standards and social habits should be challenged, at the behest of other aspects such as infrastructure, trade etc. The reason I say this is because these moral standards and social habits are part of our cultural fabric, its our identity (whether we like it or not). If you visited a European Mediterranean country, you would notice a lot of the same lazzie fare attitude to life; yet, the country is well developed economically, socially, etc. So invest in organizing and equipping the agricultural community in Pakistan to increase their yields, quality, and trade potential; invest in infrastructure; create opportunity and incentives for expatriates and foreigners to return to invest/build in Pakistan; and so on. I donât think the root of the problem is in cultural aspects (for the most part).
I think another somewhat insignificant and simple example will give you a very intense and relevant insight into how my thinking has evolved. Please consider the following When I first moved to the west, I was young and I had no friends. I eventually found an Indian boy that I could identify with and we became best friends. Since I had been born/raised partly in Pakistan, I had a natural dislike/distrust/animosity towards Indians. What I never considered that my best friend, confidante, almost brother, was an Indian himself. So obviously, you can see how my prespective started to change in life. Especially, when I started to realize for example in Canada how even a Jew and Palestinian could be best of friends and how a Hutu and a Tutsi from Africa could get along; when, back home in the Congo they were committing genocide against each other. Of course, the developed society, the norms, the legal system in Canada means the same rules apply to everyone equally and this is a big reason for the cooperation. But it is a big lesson for Pakistan. I think this is probably one of the biggest challenges (yet most rewarding if overcome) I see in Pakistan- the distrust/hate towards India that permeates society. If people there could understand, they could forgive past actions, understand how much benefit exists in peaceful coexistence, we would truly transcend to another level and make real progress. I am fully expecting someone to say how ridiculous this idea is, because it takes a real tough, concerted effort to even being to see how you could not hate an Indian so I understand, but I also know it is possible and once you see the other perspective, you would understand how ridiculous, unnecessarily perpetual and vengeful the cycle of hatred really is.
Hello and thank you for that thoughtful response. You know all the examples you gave about Canadian politicians having to resign or facing criticism over what would be considered trivial matters in some parts of the world is quite close to reality. My point (leading back to my other post) is that we should not view these two countries and experiences through the same lenses. We have to place each situation in its own context. Yes, we can see Canada setting some examples that we should strive for (such as transparency in politics as you mention) but I donât think the moral standards and social habits should be challenged, at the behest of other aspects such as infrastructure, trade etc. The reason I say this is because these moral standards and social habits are part of our cultural fabric, its our identity (whether we like it or not). If you visited a European Mediterranean country, you would notice a lot of the same lazzie fare attitude to life; yet, the country is well developed economically, socially, etc. So invest in organizing and equipping the agricultural community in Pakistan to increase their yields, quality, and trade potential; invest in infrastructure; create opportunity and incentives for expatriates and foreigners to return to invest/build in Pakistan; and so on. I donât think the root of the problem is in cultural aspects (for the most part).
I think another somewhat insignificant and simple example will give you a very intense and relevant insight into how my thinking has evolved. Please consider the following When I first moved to the west, I was young and I had no friends. I eventually found an Indian boy that I could identify with and we became best friends. Since I had been born/raised partly in Pakistan, I had a natural dislike/distrust/animosity towards Indians. What I never considered that my best friend, confidante, almost brother, was an Indian himself. So obviously, you can see how my prespective started to change in life. Especially, when I started to realize for example in Canada how even a Jew and Palestinian could be best of friends and how a Hutu and a Tutsi from Africa could get along; when, back home in the Congo they were committing genocide against each other. Of course, the developed society, the norms, the legal system in Canada means the same rules apply to everyone equally and this is a big reason for the cooperation. But it is a big lesson for Pakistan. I think this is probably one of the biggest challenges (yet most rewarding if overcome) I see in Pakistan- the distrust/hate towards India that permeates society. If people there could understand, they could forgive past actions, understand how much benefit exists in peaceful coexistence, we would truly transcend to another level and make real progress. I am fully expecting someone to say how ridiculous this idea is, because it takes a real tough, concerted effort to even being to see how you could not hate an Indian so I understand, but I also know it is possible and once you see the other perspective, you would understand how ridiculous, unnecessarily perpetual and vengeful the cycle of hatred really is.