The Pakistan At The Periphery of The World’s View


Since the onset of Pakistan’s engagement in the War on Terror, the country nosedived in its entirety; politically, socially and economically. Not only was this unfortunate plunge a harbinger of possibly, the worst of times for it but heralded the introduction of a gamut of negative stereotypes in relation to Pakistan and its citizens.

Largely owing to the almost-routinely involvement of Pakistan or any individual with even a faint connection to it in incidents or reports of terrorism, the spread of these stereotypes and a fixed image of ‘The most dangerous place on Earth’ has completely buried the Pakistan that existed before and still exists for the world to witness.

Despite a tumultous 64-year old journey and contrary to the popular belief of bigoted and bitter curs that Pakistan is ‘ a land virtually barren of achievements’ - it has had its fair share of achievements, pride and glory in every field.

Pakistan has played a significant role on the international stage.

Hardly two months after its creation in 1947, Sir Zafrullah represented Pakistan in United Nations General Assembly as the head of its delegation and soon emerged as the most excellent of a spokesperson for the causes of the Muslim World and other countries.

Perhaps, the greatest of the countless incomparable services he rendered was his exemplary advocacy of the cause of Palestine and Kashmir. Him being a champion of the former cause garnered enormous appreciation, acknowledgement and reverence from almost all Muslim countries and leaders at that time.

‘In October 1947 he delivered a speech on the Palestine issue in the UN General Assembly, which is one of the most strong case ever presented for Palestine to date.‘

[ Quoting from another blog on him ] :

‘His speech on Kashmir Issue on January 15, 1948 in the UN Security Council is considered as the most comprehensive presentation of the Kashmir Issue ever on international stage, his speech continued for 7 straight hours and resulted in materialization of UN resolutions on Kashmir.’

Through his stupendous championship of such causes, he also became an evident proponent of the advance of universal values, peace, human rights, democracy and justice as from 1948 to 1954 he represented Pakistan at the Security Council (UN) and outstandingly spoke for the liberation of Libya, Northern Ireland, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia and occupied Kashmir.

To date, none have come into sight that could rival the towering statesman, who was honored in his lifetime by numerous countries by bestowing highest of civil awards or a deserved deluge of praises, in prowess or services.

Pakistan’s Eeqbal Ahmed was a distinguished intellectual, ‘prolific writer and journalist, he was widely consulted by revolutionaries, journalists, activist leaders and policymakers around the world. ’

He had joined Algeria’s National Liberation Front and was offered an opportunity to join the first independent Algerian government and refused in favor of life as an independent intellectual.

In a ‘Factfile’ for Islamabad Policy Research Institute titled ‘UN Peacekeeping Missions and Pakistan’, it is stated:

‘Pakistan is contributing to UN peacekeeping since 1960 and is the single largest contributor of UN peacekeeping forces, with more than 11,000 Pakistani military personnel serving in UN peacekeeping operations worldwide.

‘The Pakistan contingent for the UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone in 1999-2005 has been cited by the UN Peacekeeping Headquarters as a “Role Model for all UN Missions.”

‘The Pakistan Naval Academy, which was established in 1971, has since its inception trained over 2,000 personnel from other countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Qatar and Bahrain.’

Pakistan also has a history of hosting several communities of disparate peoples’ from around the world [ Either fleeing from violence or other reasons ] and refugees. It received about six million Afghan refugees from 1979 to 2001.

Along with hosting about 200,000 Burmese people who are largely based in Karachi [ To be precise, they are Rohingya Muslims from Western Burma who claim to have fled their homeland of Arakan State under the persecution of Muslim citizens by the Burmese Junta ]. A considerable number of Kurds from many countries also came to reside in the country and some still do.

Shirin Ebadi, the first Iranian and the first Muslim woman to have received the Nobel Prize wrote in her book ‘Iran Awakening’ [ Page 78 ] :

‘But once it became clear that the war [ Iran-Iraq War ] would drag on, that Saddam would use chemical weapons and get away with it, a wise stratum of people started to leave..Some managed to obtain visas and boarded planes. Hundreds of thousands of others, desperate to get out at any cost, paid bandits to smuggle them through Turkey or Pakistan’.

Apart from such matters, Pakistan has produced many notable personalities and individuals in other fields.

In the sports cricuit, Jahangir Khan surfaced as the World’s No.1 player.

As written on Ideas Evolved :

‘Pakistani control over the British Open and the World Open was created in 1976. The names of such great maestros such as Azam Khan, Roshan Khan, Mo Khan, Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan, and Jansher Khan have dominated the sport.

Moreover, Jahangir Khan is considered by many to be the greatest player ever to grace a squash court.

During his career he won the World Open six times and the British Open a record ten times.

Between 1981 and 1986, he was unbeaten in competitive play for five years. During that time he won 555 matches consecutively. This was not only the longest winning streak in squash history, but also one of the longest unbeaten runs by any athlete in top-level professional sports.’

Hockey is the country’s national sport, in which it has thrice won the gold in 1960, 1968 and 1984 Olympics. Pakistan hockey team also won the Hockey world cup four times in1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994. And the last major event: Champions trophy was won in 1978, 1980 and 1994.

Latif ur Rehman, Habib ur Rehman, Abdul Rasheed Jr and Dr. Atif Bashir are among Hockey legends from Pakistan.

‘Sohail Abbas is the highest scorer of goals in Hockey with his current goal tally at 313.’

Its said, that there are only two major religions in Pakistan; Islam and Cricket.

Not only does the nation have utmost madness for it but Pakistan’s Cricket Team has shone with splendour since it ventured into the game. They won the World Cup in 1992, the T20 Cup in 2009 and since then, many Pakistani cricket players have made records [ Including the Blind Cricket Team ] and given billions to witness spectacular performances. They are one of the world’s most greatest teams.

60% of the world’s footballs are made in Sialkot. In the 1980s, Sialkot gained international recognition when it produced the Tango ball used in the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Pakistan International Airlines was the first airline in the world to operate scheduled helicopter services. One of PIA’s Boeing 720s broke a world record that year, when it flew from London to Karachi non-stop in 6 hours and 43 minutes and 51 seconds during its delivery flight from Seattle, a record unbroken to this day. Also in 1978 the airline provided help to Somali Airlines, Air Malta and Yemen.

Pakistan boasts of internationally acclaimed musician, legend and maestro, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who is said to be one of the most celebrated artists to have ever been born.

He also made it to TIME magazine’s list of ‘Asian Hereos’.

Ever mused, whose painting hangs in the United Nations Head Quarters? It is the painting by late Abdur Rehman Chugtai, a renowned painter, who was admired by Picasso and Queen Elizabeth II. Ismail Gulgee was globally known for his outstanding work too.

Abdul Sattar Edhi, the illustrious philanthropist and a truly inspiring ‘living saint’ runs the the world’s largest ambulance help service and charity.

Coming to the sphere of science, Pakistan has the distinction of being the homeland of Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdus Salam. A man beyond brilliance.

Rahman Anwar Syed, on whom the Malaysian exalted title of Datuk was bestowed for his contribution to the social and economic well-being of Malaysia is best known for his discocery of the biological method of oil plam pollination.

Pakistan’s Prof. Rahman was elected as Fellow of Royal Society (London), becoming the one of the 4 scientists from the Muslim world to have ever won this honour

To name one, in the literary domain Pakistan’s Bapsi Sidhwa is extolled by many.

The prestigious Harvard Medal of Freedom award has only been given to a total of three people, including Nelson Mandela and Pakistan’s present Chief Justice.

Ali Moeen Nawazish is a record-holder for 22 A’s in A-levels. 17-year old Ibrahim Shahid set the record recently by 23 A’s in O-levels. Arfa Karim, a promising software programmer from Faisalabad was surpassed by compatriot Babar Iqbal who at 12 of age, became the Youngest Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) at the age 9 became the Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional.

He also set up three other world records Youngest Certified Wireless Network Administrator at the same age, Youngest Certified Web Professional Associate at age 10 years and in 2009, the feather of the Youngest Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist was added to his hat.

Nazir Sabir and Hassan Sadpara are two Pakistanis who achieved the feat of climbing Mount Everest.

Namira Salim is set to become Pakistan’s first astronaut in space in 2012, she is also the First Asian to skydive from an altitude higher than the peak of Mount Everest.

To mention a historic event in its recent history, the Muslim World’s first female Prime Minister was elected in Pakistan after whom many other women came to be provided with the opportunities to be elevated at other important positions.

With looming mountains and paradisiacal scenery in the northern areas, green fields in Punjab, desert areas in Balochistan and meandering rivers in Sindh, all four seasons that are followed by different natural delicacies and festivities of the people, sumputous food and scrumptious desserts [ Be it the spicy biryani of Sindh, the delectable ’siri paey’ of Punjab, savory Balochi ’sajji’ or the mouth-watering ‘namak mandi’ of the northern areas] while possessing a string of fascinating monuments,forts and remains of the different civilizations; Moenjodaro, Harrapa, Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Sheesh Mahal, Rawat Fort, Rohtas Fort, Derawar Fort etc – The land of pure has an immense potential for tourism.

Above all and everything else, Pakistan is the country that has stood against all odds gallantly as the continuation of their lives dispersed into a mere repitition of a 9/11 everyday.

As the terrorists blew their mosques, schools, buildings, shrines, hospitals and the bodies and limbs of their loved ones were strewn on streets, while the world kicked up a din for the imposition of the ignominious appellation ‘Terrorist State’ for it, others clamored for its disintegration and declaring war on it and nature shook its geography loose by earthquakes and the most devastating floods in recent history – Pakistan held together, braved through all with resilience, smiled and is still going strong. Every Pakistani has a hero’s tale.

This single fact stands tall on its existence and is a feat itself.

Pakistan isn’t a land virtually barren of achievements; it is just, among all other descriptions and harsh facts, of mettle and and lioneheartedness an emobidement.

~ Hafsa Khawaja

* This is a site that was created solely for the purpose of cataloguing and informing people of all the positive news related to Pakistan these days. The achievements and other seldom- good news.