Self Actualization

By Arsalan Masood

If we assume Pakistan as a human being then it would be a 23 year old boy as 65% of the population of Pakistan is under the age of 24. You might think that Pakistan is 64 years old but a country is made up by people who live in it not by the land, as the history of our land comprises of thousands of years. My second assumption would be that this 23 year old guy would be well built as Pakistan has strong defense.  He would also possess many talents as our country is also full of natural resources. So, now we have a guy called Pakistan with all the characteristics defined above.

Now assume this 23 year old, well built, Pakistan walking to your car, flattered? But wait, he comes to your car and starts begging! Your first reaction would be that what are you doing? Why don’t you go and find some job? Don’t you feel ashamed by doing this? Hattay khattay to ho! (You are well built).This is what is happening with our country right now. We are going to the whole world with a begging bowl although our CV boasts about the resources we possess. So, we get the same response this guy got.

Coming back to the guy named Pakistan. Let’s ponder that what has gone wrong with this guy that he has to beg. The problem is that Pakistan has focused on his security and has neglected his education. He has spent most part of his fortune on buying weapons and most of his time on his muscles. This obsession has left him with little money and time for utilizing his skills and acquiring a high level education. No doubt he is very strong when it comes to defense, so much so that it has made others suspicious, envious and malicious. The negative aspect as we have seen is that it has made him dependent on others. His primary objective has over shadowed his other capabilities and needs.

Now, if we analyze Pakistan through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs then we would see that he has not been able to satisfy his first need which is of food, clothing and shelter. Instead he has prioritized his security needs even though he could not fulfill his primary need. It is because of this haphazardness that his third and fourth stages which are of belonging and self esteem respectively could not be satisfied. As he has not developed his intellect as much as he developed his muscles, he has been labeled as a terrorist, even though it also has an element of conspiracy in it. His dependence on others has also really affected his esteem needs as he has to borrow from people he detests. Consequently, he has not been able to reach the stage of self actualization and is confused, humiliated and discouraged.

We have diagnosed the problem with Pakistan so now let’s us come up with a solution. The solution is not rocket science and any sane person could contemplate on it. Pakistan would have to change its priorities. He already has strong defense so his enemies would not dare to attack as there would be mutual loss. So, now he needs to develop his academic skills. Even though he does not have a high level of education but because of God gifted talents he could overcome those deficiencies. Pakistan’s mind is fertile which he could use for education as well as for part time jobs until he becomes totally independent. We hope and wish that achieving the stage of self actualization would not be difficult for Pakistan; no doubt it has abundant talents which he could utilize once he realizes.

Responsibility of Print Media

By Muhammad Murad

There are certain ethical codes regarding the publishing rules of journalism. The basic rules are minimizing harm to readers and the responsibility of journalists to publish the truth and accurate information. The problem under consideration is, “Should a story be published without verification even if it will negatively impact the general public?” The answer is simply ‘No’.

News of a claim by an American interrogator at Guantanamo Bay who had flushed a copy of The Holy Quran down a toilet, published in “Newsweek Magazine” on May 2005 is among the several news pieces that have been published in the past. The information was obtained from an anonymous source and was not verified which led to many repercussions and triggered protests in many Muslim countries. At least 16 people were reported to be killed in these protests.

Firstly, the information was not verified. Secondly, even if it was verified, there should have been ‘reservations’ about running it because ‘the potential to inflame is greater than the value of the piece itself’.

In cases where the information is necessary to be brought in public’s view but the story cannot be kept under cover until it is completely verified, it becomes necessary for the organization to carefully consider how the information needs to be included.

In a nutshell, a balance needs to be sorted to report the truth with minimizing the potential harm. It also depends on the importance of the story to the readers. Accuracy should be ensured and no ambiguous information need be presented. Manipulation in any case is unethical.

Recommendations:

•    Journalists should indentify and verify the information or should mention that the report is unverified.
• Readers should be warned against the potential risks of reading the information to themselves and their families.
• Realization of the importance of reporting the story accurately
• There are times when the public’s need to know becomes more important than holding a story until it can be completely verified. In these cases the news organization should carefully consider how they include the information.
• If the story warns readers of something potentially harmful to their health or that which affects their rights or lives in a major way, then the story should be published.

Inqalab

By Muhammad Murad

A few days ago, I got an opportunity to deliver a speech in a declamation contest. The topic for the contest was from one of the verses of Faiz Ahmed Faiz,

“Aey Khak Nasheeno Uth betho wo waqt karib aa puhncha hai,

Jab takht girai jaingay, jab taaj ochaalay jaingay”

There were two separate sections for the contest, the school section and the College/University section, with 36 speakers for the school section and 20 for the College/University section. I was shocked to hear the word “Inqalab” from almost every speaker because chottay moon bari baten (small mouth, big words)! I couldn’t digest. They were shouting and making statements regarding revolution as if we were there to argue for the government to step down. For a few minutes I thought we were near to bringing the so called “Inqalab” but alas!

Those speeches were made just to win the competition, not to bring change in Pakistan. When it was my turn, I literally forgot my speech because of the irritation created in my heart and mind by the word “Inqalab”. I was in a state of shock and was asking myself, “Can only words, without implementation, bring change?” I spend 5 minutes convincing the listeners that, “Agar bolney se inqalab anaa hota tou tou kab aa chukka hota” (if only words had to bring change, it would have come by now).  We need to stand united and implement all those statements which the speakers made while delivering their speeches. I hope I convinced them but if not, I must have confused them. The answer of my question is quite simple but unfortunately we are unable to answer it because we are a sleeping nation. We don’t care when our neighbor is being looted; don’t bother to call the police when someone is dying on the roadside.

It is commonly said that saying and doing are two separate things but unfortunately it has never been taken seriously because we are good at saying but when the time for doing comes, we simply ignore. If you ask me to speak on the topic “Inqalab” I’ll speak without any hesitation but if you say, “Let’s bring a change” then I am sorry I won’t support you on this. We, as a nation, are not ready to take action but only to make statements. Implementation of these statements seems to be an impossible job.

I would conclude that in order to bring “Inqalab” in the country, we first need to bring “Inqalab’ in ourselves. Implementation must exist behind every statement we make because I personally believe;

“Be-Amal dil ho tou jazbat se kia hota hai,

Dharti banjar ho tou barsat se kia hota hai,

Amal lazim hai takmeel-e-tamana kay liay warna,

Roshan khaayalat se kia hota hai”.

I am responsible for all statements made above.