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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Under One Flag, But Not One Fate
The writer is a Dean's honour list student at the Beaconhouse National Univesity in Lahore, pursuing Media Studies 'Pakistan not only means freedom and independence but the Muslim ideology which has to be preserved, which has come to us as a precious gift and treasure…' — Muhammad Ali Jinnah Every August, we rise to recite the anthem: 'Iss parcham ke saaye talay hum aik hain.' It is not a fact — it is an aspiration. And like most aspirations in Pakistan, it is repeated more often than it is realised. We assume the flag unites us. But symbols don't create solidarity. Systems do. Justice does. Shared fate does. And in today's Pakistan, fate is the most unequally distributed commodity of all. Pakistan was not created as a nation-state in the traditional sense. It was born as a state first, with the hope that the nation would follow. The assumption was that a shared religion could unify diverse ethnic, linguistic, and socio-economic identities under one ideological roof. But religion, while essential to Pakistan's formation, proved insufficient to bind a country made up of distinct historical trajectories — Baloch, Pashtun, Punjabi, Sindhi, Saraiki, Hazara, and more — into a cohesive national identity. In theory, we are one. In practice, we are a federation of alienations. Jinnah's early speeches emphasise a secular civil order, not a theocratic state — where citizenship, not faith or ethnicity, determined one's rights. But what replaced his vision was a hybrid elite bargain — a ruling clique of feudal landlords, politicians, and bureaucrats that used the idea of Pakistan but never built the reality of it. They didn't dismantle colonial hierarchies; they inherited and repurposed them. In Punjab, the feudal nexus consolidated land and loyalty. In Sindh, political dynasties and rural clientelism replaced participatory democracy. Balochistan was treated as a resource reservoir, not a province of people. And in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the state bartered long-term development for short-term strategic depth. The result is a unitary national narrative sitting atop a deeply plural society, with no mechanisms for meaningful inclusion. Yes, Pakistan rallies during crises. War, earthquakes, floods — they trigger a performative solidarity. But this kind of unity is emotional. It does not build institutions. It fades with the news cycle. True unity is constitutional. It is forged through fair representation, justice delivery, decentralisation, and economic equity. Is a Hazara from Quetta protected like a businessman in Gulberg? Does a Hindu sanitary worker in Umerkot feel as safe as a banker in Islamabad? Does a student in Kech have the same educational rights as one in DHA Karachi? We wave the flag over them all — but it shelters them differently. Pakistan's obsession with symbolism masks its failures in substance. We perform anthem-singing assemblies in schools that have no functional toilets. We celebrate minority heroes while silencing the cries of their communities. We invoke Iqbal's shaheen but reduce our youth to jobless, voiceless observers. We defend Islam vocally but abandon its ethics when it comes to justice, compassion, or economic morality. This is not hypocrisy. This is the result of a society that has learned to perform identity, not build it. It is easy to blame the state. But the deeper crisis is societal. We lack not just governance; we lack a moral architecture. Corruption is a service, not a crime. Bigotry is dinner-table humour. Merit is mocked. Silence is rewarded. Nationalism is now theatre, not sacrifice. Unity cannot grow where collective memory is shallow and collective responsibility is absent. If unity is to move beyond slogans, we must first redefine it beyond religion. Pakistan must embrace its ethnic and cultural pluralism not as a threat but as the very fabric of its identity. The flag should not homogenise — it must harmonise. Second, constitutional federalism must be restored. Article 140A guarantees local governments, yet most provinces function without them. Without genuine devolution and local representation, the elite-commoner divide will continue to widen. Third, we must move from charity to equity. Zakat funds and ration drives cannot replace structural redistribution. True unity demands economic dignity — a minimum threshold below which no Pakistani should fall. Fourth, we must de-weaponise identity. Religion, ethnicity, and language are manipulated in the service of power. Until identity becomes a protected right — not a political tool — we will remain in conflict with ourselves. Finally, we must build historical honesty. A society cannot unify when its histories are erased, its traumas redacted, and its voices excluded from national memory. 'Iss parcham ke saaye talay hum aik hain' should not be a slogan we shout once a year. It should be a question we answer daily — with policy, with empathy, with action. Until every citizen — regardless of language, faith, gender, or geography — can point to the flag and see not just a symbol of identity, but a guarantee of dignity, we are not one nation. We are a collection of managed illusions under a single piece of cloth. And no amount of ceremonial patriotism can heal a society that refuses to look into the mirror the flag demands we hold up. Pakistan Zindabad — when every citizen can mean it the same way.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Jammu And Kashmir Light Infantry: Soldiers Par Excellence
Every JKLI soldier begins his journey from the valleys, villages, and mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. He is a son of the soil, shaped by the hardships of the region. On October 22, 1947, the Pakistan army commenced 'Operation Gulmarg' – a covert military operation to seize Jammu and Kashmir in the garb of a tribal invasion. For this purpose, the Pakistan army used Pashtun tribals from the North West Frontier Province to create a force of 20 'lashkars' (irregular militias), each with 1,000 fighters armed by the Pakistan army. This invasion force was commanded by Pakistan army regulars who too had disguised themselves as tribals. Despite doing their best, the state forces of the then kingdom of J&K could not hold back the numerically far superior invasion force led by regular army men with combat experience of World War II. Since newly independent India lacked the capability to undertake timely airlifting the requisite force level to evict this invasion, a decision was taken in New Delhi to raise militias from volunteer locals to resist the invasion till the adequate buildup of forces. Though the locals who joined these militias had no previous exposure to military training, they were a motivated lot and their performance was so impressive that after the ceasefire they were retained as a para military force under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Born of the Soil, Defender of the Nation Every JKLI soldier begins his journey from the valleys, villages, and mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. He is a son of the soil, shaped by the hardships of the region and forged by a spirit of service that is unmatched. This background makes him uniquely suited for both conventional warfare and complex counter-insurgency operations in some of the most difficult terrains. J&K Militia took part in both the Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 as well 1971, and the award of three battle honours in each of these wars speaks volumes about the extraordinary display of valour and sacrifice of its rank and file. In fact, considering its awe inspiring battle performance, J&K Militia was incorporated into the India army as a regular regiment in 1972 and designated JAK LI. Refusing to rest on past laurels, JAK LI units have exhibited extraordinary valour, and the award of one Param Vir Chakra and three Ashoka Chakras (which are India's highest gallantry award during war and in peace respectively) besides several other medals for bravery bears testimony to this regiment's continuing quest for excellence. An Inspiration to Generations A JKLI soldier is not just a role model for youth in Jammu and Kashmir — he is an inspiration to the entire nation. His dedication reminds us that true patriotism is not loud, but lived — through action, sacrifice, and service. He represents the best of India: unity in diversity, service over self, and strength with humility. Performance in Counter Terrorism Operations The performance of JAK LI battalions in counter terrorist operations in J&K has been phenomenal. This regiment has the rare honour of having won three Ashoka Chakras as well as several other gallantry awards during anti-terrorist operations. Such a rich haul of awards has come at a very heavy price that the rank and file of JAK LI battalions have paid with their lives and blood. Unity in Diversity The JAK LI regiment draws its rank and file from J&K irrespective of the religion to which the soldiers belong and this epitomises the Indian army's secular credentials. Soldiers of JAK LI may belong to different faiths but in the true traditions of the Indian army, they eat, sleep and stay together like a band of brothers. When duty calls, they put the nation first and fight as a cohesive team, often putting their own lives in danger to save their comrades. Conclusion Like their predecessors who after seeing Pakistani tribals pillage Kashmir in 1947 volunteered to save their homeland from invasion, the soldiers of JAK LI are imbued with the same determination to protect their people from the proxy war being waged in J&K by its evil intentioned Eastern neighbour. This it has ensured with consummate dedication and perhaps this can explain the award of the prestigious Ashoka Chakra thrice for displaying most conspicuous gallantry in counter terrorist operations in J&K. The JAK LI Regiment is indeed the nation's pride! view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:24 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JUI-F jirga also rejects committee on ex-Fata
Listen to article A tribal jirga organized by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has expressed serious reservations about a committee formed to restore the traditional jirga system in the merged tribal districts, which were earlier part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) The jirga held in Peshawar on Sunday also declared that a decision taken with regard to the merged districts without proper public representation and consultation would be unacceptable. The jirga led by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman brought together tribal elders and leaders from the merged districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Senior leaders like Maulana Jamaluddin, Maulana Abdul Rasheed, Malik Nasrullah Khan, Malik Shaheen, Malik Khan Marjan, Mufti Baitullah, Malik Nadir Manan, Abdul Khaliq Pathan, MNA Mufti Misbahuddin, Malik Shireen, and Dr GG Jamal addressed the gathering and presented key recommendations. In a statement issued by the JUI-F, the jirga expressed concern about the rising incidents of terrorism and targeted killings in the former tribal districts, and demanded urgent and effective measures to ensure peace and protect lives and property in the region. The jirga also rejected the recently proposed Mines and Minerals Bill, terming it against the interests of the tribal population and the country at large. It emphasized the need to re-engage tribal leaders and Pashtun representatives to devise a comprehensive and inclusive strategy for the region's future. The participants reiterated that no imposed solution would be acceptable in the tribal belt without the voice and will of the people Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee on the merged districts which on July 1 initiated deliberations on revival of the traditional jirga system in former Fata. These districts, earlier called agencies, were merged with the K-P in early 2018 through the 25th Constitutional Amendment. During the July 1 meeting, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam as the chairman of the committee stressed the need for an alternative justice system rooted in tribal customs but aligned with constitutional principles. The committee also decided to form a sub-committee to draft recommendations and agreed to hold its next session in the K-P's capital, Peshawar. The ANP and the PTI have already rejected the committee, which, they claim, does not represent the people of the merged districts.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Punjab made sacrifices for unity of Pakistan: Talal Chaudhry
FAISALABAD: State Minister for Interior and senior PML-N leader Senator Talal Chaudhary said that Punjab has consistently made extraordinary sacrifices for the unity of Pakistan and these sacrifices would shatter all conspiracies against Pakistan. He was addressing a press conference on Sunday after offering condolences to the family of Sheikh Majid Ayub, a young businessman from Faisalabad, who was martyred in a terrorist attack in Zhob, Balochistan. Talal Chaudhry termed the Balochistan incident a clear precedent of Punjab's factual commitment for national solidarity and sacrifice and said Majid Ayub, who frequently travelled to Balochistan for his textile business, was targeted on his return. He embraced martyrdom in an act of terrorism that was not random, but a planned proxy attack sponsored by enemy forces with clear links to India, he added. He said that the enemy is attempting to divide Pakistan on ethnic and linguistic lines, but fails to realize that every street of Punjab houses Baloch, Pashtun, Sindhi, Kashmiri and Gilgiti brothers, who live, study, work and heal together in unity. He highlighted Punjab's historical generosity, citing its sacrifices in the NFC Award, its sharing of water resources with Balochistan and now, its blood. 'When water was needed, Punjab gave its share. When money was required, Punjab contributed and now, when blood is demanded, our sons are laying down their lives', he said. He praised the courage of Majid Ayub's mother and said that she had received her martyred son's body with pride, embodying the spirit of every Pakistani mother who sends her child to defend the homeland. Talal Chaudhary said that terrorism knows no religion, language, or ethnicity rather it is fueled by dollars and foreign agendas. He pointed directly at India's involvement, accusing it of switching from overt warfare to covert attacks through sponsored terrorist networks. However, he said that Pakistan's security forces and citizens have time and again defeated such enemies with resilience and unity. He revealed that Pakistan's security agencies conduct over 150 intelligence-based operations daily, pre-empting over 90% of planned attacks. The current counterterrorism campaign is a continuation of ongoing kinetic and non-kinetic operations in which the federal and Balochistan governments are fully aligned, he added. He said that terrorists now target soft civilian spots like markets, schools, and hospitals, which is an obvious proof of their moral and ideological bankruptcy. During press conference, Talal Chaudhary condemned political leaders who only come to Punjab for votes but remain absent when its youths are martyred. He reminded the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government of its responsibility to build Counter-Terrorism Departments, forensic labs, and smart surveillance systems to effectively combat terrorism, just as Punjab has done. He dismissed the notion that terrorists are representative of any ethnic group and said that a terrorist is neither Baloch, nor Pashtun, nor Punjabi, rather they are enemies of humanity. He outlined the horrifying statistics and said 406 attacks were made on gas installations, 56 schools were destroyed and 178 hospitals were targeted in addition to 219 ethnically-motivated attacks that claimed 514 lives and most of their victims were from Punjab. He called on all political parties and citizens to unite beyond political affiliations and support the security forces as was done during Nawaz Sharif's government when collective political support helped restore peace from Quetta to Karachi. 'We are Punjabis, Baloch, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Kashmiris and Gilgitis after we are Pakistanis first', he said, adding that the country was founded in the name of 'Kalimah Tayyabah' and its defence is a sacred duty. He referenced the recent 'Operation Sandur' as a stark reminder of what happens when enemies confront Pakistan head-on. 'Whether the threat is direct or covert, the result would always be the same i.e. total defeat for the aggressors', he added. Addressing those who seek political mileage from foreign soil, Talal Chaudhry criticized certain PTI leaders for lobbying against Pakistan abroad while instigating unrest at home. He said that many of the so-called 'missing persons' were in fact militants who had deliberately gone underground and were later killed during counterterrorism operations. Responding to a question, Talal Chaudhry expressed hope that this would be the last condolence visit he ever has to make, but he acknowledged that as long as mothers like Majid Ayub's exist who embrace their martyred sons with strength and pride, the enemy would never succeed. 'We are not fighting as Punjabis or Baloch but as Pakistanis and Pakistan would always emerge victorious, Insha Allah', he added.
News18
12-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Malala Day 2025: History, Significance And Powerful Quotes On Education
Last Updated: Malala Day is celebrated to honour the strength of Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who has been vocal about support for girls' education. Malala Day 2025: In today's world, few figures embody resilience and hope for young people quite like Malala Yousafzai. At an age when most children are focused on play, Malala fearlessly stood up to the Taliban in defence of girls' education. Her extraordinary courage is honoured each year on Malala Day, observed on 12 July. Now a graduate of the University of Oxford and having entered a new chapter in life through marriage, Malala continues to be celebrated globally for her unwavering strength, wisdom, and commitment to justice. Malala Day 2025: History And Significance Malala Day is observed on July 12, marking the birthday of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a global symbol of courage and advocacy for girls' education. The United Nations officially declared this day in 2013 to honour her bravery and to reinforce the message that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Malala was born on July 12, 1997, in the Mingora region of Pakistan. In 2012, while returning home from school on a bus, she was shot by the Taliban in an assassination attempt that also injured two of her classmates. The attack was a direct response to her outspoken activism for girls' right to education in a region where the Taliban strongly opposed it. She sustained a gunshot wound to the head and remained unconscious for several days. After initial treatment at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, she was transferred to the United Kingdom for further medical care and rehabilitation. Rather than being silenced, the attack strengthened Malala's resolve. She continued her global campaign for education and became a powerful voice for millions of girls denied access to schooling. In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17, becoming the youngest Nobel laureate in history, the second Pakistani, and the first Pashtun to receive the honour. Malala Day 2025: Quotes 'One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." 'Education is education. We should learn everything and then choose which path to follow. Education is neither Eastern nor Western, it is human." 'They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed. And then, out of that silence came thousands of voices." 'The extremists are afraid of books and pens. The power of education frightens them. They are afraid of women." 'I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard." 'Education is the only solution. Education first." view comments First Published: July 12, 2025, 07:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
