Art And Literature

By : Ali Jafar Bukhari

Pakistan is an immense blessing, bestowed upon us  by Almighty Allah but unfortunately, even after 60 years of independence, we lack national character.  Our false ego, the feudalistic mindset, is the dominating trade of our whole nation.  We prefer our fallacious self respect over patriotism.  This egoistic attitude is the demon of all demons, a major hindrance in the way of social change, provision of social justice and the true enforcement of law. 

  John F Cannady aptly asserted, “ ask not what your country has done for you but ask what you have done for your country”.  There is a great improvement in our Pakistani social structure.  A dominating social malice of our country specially in civil services, corruption, is gradually diminishing from our society but it is a pity that, again, our egoistic mindset is creating hindrance in the way of a true corruption-free society. 
  The previous government introduced an other corruption free system of Traffic Police on the Model of Motorway Police system, named City Traffic Police which aimed at the provision of neat, clean, polite and service oriented system of traffic, which has been largely being appreciated by a faction of our community specially by those who are truly educated, sensible, dutiful, caring and law abiding members of our society. 
  The system started with freshly recruited young man and ladies, fully, enthusiastic to work with passion and to bring positive change.  They came and started their work with inflexibility and indiscrimination devoid of social, political or economic status.  They, when practically were given the challan books, fined each and every violator without considering his or her being rich or poor.  But the people, in spite of appreciating their constructive efforts of streamlining  the traffic influx of our major cities of Punjab, tried to impede in the way of their duty and toiled for getting undue favour to be exempted from the fine.  For the purpose they tried to impress the concerned officer by their social status, telephone calls and even threats.  They never think that how adverse effects could affect the fresh and idealistic minds of Traffic Wardens who came into the system, just freshly marching out of their colleges or universities, to work on idealistic grounds.  Money or paying fine is not a problem for such people but they take it as a matter of prestige rather than to take pride to be fined by a traffic officer.  These are the people never forget to keep their documents along with them and tired to abide by the law when they are in any foreign country but here and their own home land, abiding by the rules and taking the document along with them becomes a core issue of their prestige. 
In the chequered history of nations, the nationalistic character of any race ahs been judged by her following the rules and abiding by the law.  According to a psychological assessment criterion, one could be judged by driving and traffic depicts the real trait of any nation. 
To be aware of ones rights and obligation is the fundamental key towards constructive change.  Admitting the truth, accepting one’s mistakes and appreciating the positive steps of fellow being, is a true national character.
We should be aware of the fact that the City Traffic Police system has been introduced to facilitate the people rather than creating botheration. Both the communities, the traffic personnel as well as masses, should realize the fact that there are always certain problems to be faced by the pioneers of any new enterprise but time paves the way.  Sacrifices become necessary and tolerance is a basic passion to achieve certain noble goals.  It is said “They succeed who know how to wait”.
 Collective effervescence is the need of the hour.  Both the communities should collectively perform their duties.  The traffic personnel must realize the fact that they are recruited to serve rather than to rule.  Their lucrative salaries are deducted from the taxes of our masses.  We are to serve them.  Therefore they should be kind and humble to the people.  They are simply violators not criminals.  On the other hand masses should also realize that they should be fully co-operative with the traffic police in the compliance of its duties.  Where the people should be fully aware of their rights, at the same time they should perform their obligations as well.  Positive suggestions should come from the public side.  There are complaint cells in each City Traffic Police office to address their grievances. 
In order to make a system successful we have to exercise merit and adopt egalitarian approach.  Only then we can bring a positive, constructive and corruption free system. “ Insha-Allah”