Friday, May 31, 2013

My Bit for Change

My Bit for Change

The Foster Parent of an Orphan Nation

Posted: 31 May 2013 02:29 AM PDT

GilaniWe are humans, thank God, for we have the ability to suppress animal instincts. It is this nature to control raw flares of often unwanted behaviour that makes us human. Of the animal instincts most abhorred in our being, it is not the unnecessary and unheeded violent behaviour that I want to highlight; it has already been made the subject of many a films, articles and pieces of literature. It is instead the goldfish instinct in all of us, which we so ironically forget about, that we should visit today.

That sun-drenched afternoon, 2 days before the election, history repeated itself in Multan; like the Taseers', a Gilani son got abducted. The public sentiments varied from the crude poetic justice to sagacious sympathy. Emotions ran high in the family and party supporters alike and desperate outbursts from the Gilani brothers graced the TV screens and disgraced law enforcement agencies yet again. To date, the young Gilani remains missing with a few credible leads leading to some arrests. This is marginally better progress than the Taseers' case and infinitely better progress than most of us could have dreamt of seeing if we were put in a similar nightmare.

On the day, the clamour of this unfortunate event could have taken the whole city and eventually the whole election process into a downward spiral. The right focus from the media, the right nerve, the right note from PPP at that precise time and a whole lot of wrong would have entailed. Who is to know our Tehrir Square might have started from the sweet, loving people who converse in melodious Seraiki?

However, Gilani Saab's prudent handling of the matter remains, to date, is his most desirable memory in the minds of most. We have all forgotten and forgiven what had come to pass for 4 years. For a father to lose a son in such manner is most painful. Spare a thought, as well, for the missing persons' families going through similar ordeals without any closure for years. Our prayers go out to the whole Gilani family for now; to console them and to give them hope that no more wrong will happen to them. We appeal for the safe release of Ali Haider Gilani.

So, for the time being, let's bow in to the goldfish instinct of short term memory and let our criticism of mediocrity be shrouded by the emotion of pity. We forgive you Gilani Saab but, in our next hour of need, please don't ask us to leave Pakistan; remnants of that sinister smirk laden image of you still remain. I am quite sure you had better words of consolation for your bereaved sons on 09th May 2013. Yes, blood is thicker than water but you were, after all, a foster parent to an orphaned nation.

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