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.