As this semester draws to a close and with it Sir Nausherwan's tenure at Lums , we can all safely say that this class was one of the most memorable experiences Period. From day one Sir’s enthusiasm was contagious and his unconventional approach to teaching was something that will stay with us forever.
Sadly the recent events which have greatly reduced the scope of freedom of expression in this country have soured the atmosphere. With every passing day it is becoming increasingly hard to maintain hope and optimism about the future of this country.
The space for liberal thought is slowly and systematically shrinking in this country and we are but powerless onlookers. The military has had a very dubious role in Pakistan’s history and it continues to nurture that legacy. After the death Sabeen, we could see a lot of emotional rhetoric about how the establishment cannot silence us and how we will continue Sabeen’s mission.
Well sorry to break it to you but the establishment has silenced us and it has been doing it for most of our history. So unless radical change occurs we are condemned to the gallows.
The state that was supposed to be the bastion of liberal values is slowly sinking into oblivion and we can only stand and stare!
Liberal states in theory are supposed to exist to be the bastion of liberal values. But Pakistan has never been a liberal state and it never will become one unless we demand more from it. We need more Sabeens, rabblerousers, and honest folk. Otherwise, we'll continue our regression into authoritarian ignorance.
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating that your refer to Pakistan as the state that was supposed to be the bastion of liberal values. The state of Pakistan was created through the political struggle of two very disconnected groups: the overwhelmingly uneducated masses providing the man power and popular support and the aristocratic feudals providing political direction. The leadership of Pakistan was assumed almost entirely by this aristocratic class, which had little intuitive connections with the masses and had a loose understanding of the pulse of the collective citizens. I doubt Pakistan was ever even intended to be a bastion of liberal values. Whether it was intended to be secular, it could be argued. But it wasn't intended to be particularly vehement in a defense and propagation of liberty.
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