A Nation Wanting a change - Yet Not Willing to change

Disclaimer:

Before I begin, please note that I am not politically affiliated, nor am I advocating for any political party. These are merely my daily observations and opinions based on them.

As I left my house for work, I found myself thinking about a conversation I had with a few friends days earlier. We had discussed how Pakistan seems to have become a lost cause and questioned what kind of change is necessary for us to thrive in today’s world.

With these thoughts in mind, I began my drive, reflecting on whether our conversation was accurate. Do we really need the revolution and change we've been talking about? My instinct was to say yes, yet my mind countered that we might not be a lost cause, that there must be some other reason for our challenges. Just as I was mulling over this idea, I began observing the people and traffic around me.

The traffic initially moved smoothly, everything in order. Then, I noticed a large number of motorcyclists, most of whom weren’t wearing helmets. Only a handful wore helmets, while nearly 90% rode without one. I asked myself, “Isn’t there a law requiring bikers to wear helmets?” The answer was, of course, yes. So, why was no one following it?

Soon, the previously smooth traffic began to grow heavier, and like others, I wanted to know why things had slowed down. But there was no visible cause for the delay. It soon became clear that the traffic jam was due to drivers ignoring the designated lanes. Cars on my left side were forming three or four lanes to enter a bridge when only one was necessary, which would have kept traffic flowing smoothly. Again, I asked myself, “Isn’t there a law requiring us to follow lanes?” And again, the answer was yes, yet no one was following it.

These two instances of deliberate law-breaking made me wonder: does Pakistan’s system need to change, or do the people of Pakistan need to change first so that we can bring the system into alignment?

Consider our reactions when we receive high gas bills. We often curse the government, assuming that the charges are fake or unreasonable. Yet, many of us forget that a large number of households have illegal suction pumps installed to increase gas pressure, even though these devices are hazardous and may cause accidents.

Or think about our response when a police officer stops us and we lack a document. Our first instinct is to say, “Sir, let’s settle this,” offering a bribe to avoid a fine, or perhaps saying, “Do you know who I am?” to intimidate the officer. We criticize the police for being corrupt, yet many of us have, at some point, enabled this corruption. To skip a line in a government office, to speed up a process, to bypass a rule that might hinder our immediate goals — in each of these cases, we contribute to the very system we say we despise. No police officer began taking bribes on their first day; someone offered, and that act encouraged the behavior.

All of these behaviors contribute to the corruption we so often rally against. The same people calling for change are those perpetuating the system's issues.

I recently saw a meme of a leader on stage asking, “Who wants change?” and everyone in the crowd raised their hands. Then he asked, “Who wants to change?” and no one did. Although it was a joke, it resonated with me because it felt like an accurate portrayal of us as a nation.

I’m sure many people will disagree with me and some will criticize my perspective, but the truth is: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Yes, Pakistan needs change. But it begins with a change in mentality. Let’s make following the law our norm, respect rules, and cultivate civic awareness. Only then can we start to truly seek the change we want.

Long live Pakistan.