Pakistan finds itself at a critical juncture, grappling with a myriad of challenges that threaten its stability and progress. The rise of corrupt political elites, epitomized by figures like Asif Ali Zardari and the Sharif Dynasty, has propelled the nation towards the brink of failure. As Pakistanis confront the grim realities of rampant corruption, economic turmoil, and societal unrest, they are plagued by a pervasive sense of collective trauma and despair.
The specter of corruption looms large over Pakistan’s political landscape, with leaders like Asif Ali Zardari earning infamous monikers like “Mr. 10 percent” for their involvement in graft and criminal activities. The entrenched culture of corruption permeates every facet of society, eroding trust in institutions and exacerbating socio-economic disparities. Meanwhile, the political maneuvering of parties like the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has led to a climate of impunity, where accountability remains elusive.
The imprisonment of figures like Imran Khan, amidst allegations of political vendettas and power struggles, further undermines confidence in the country’s democratic processes. As rival factions vie for control, ordinary Pakistanis bear the brunt of escalating debt burdens and economic uncertainty. Despite facing mounting challenges, the resilience of the Pakistani people is evident as they continue to voice their aspirations for change.
However, disillusionment and resignation pervade Pakistani society, as citizens confront the harsh realities of injustice and instability. The erosion of law and order, coupled with pervasive inequality, has engendered a sense of hopelessness and despair among the populace. Despite occasional glimmers of optimism, many Pakistanis find themselves trapped in a cycle of disillusionment, resigned to the belief that meaningful change is beyond reach.
At this junction, Pakistanis say – “Pakistan has been experiencing collective depression for a long time now. We are de-motivated and have given up so many times trying to accept the reality of, ‘this is Pakistan. What do you expect?’ Despite resigning to the bitter reality of belonging to a country where there is no law and order and most importantly injustice, people put their fears aside and surrendered to residual hope that ‘things will change’. We don’t have anything to add to what has happened in the elections in 2024. We are all once again witnessing the law of the jungle and once again we feel hopeless and defeated and awaiting our fate of more instability and state chaos than ever before. The reality is that we are a traumatized nation”.
They say, “We feel helpless and disempowered and this collective trauma where holding a Pakistani passport means, we will continue to drown in this corrupt country where a few mighty and strong setups will do as they please for their vested interests and we can’t do anything that holds any potential for things to change.
“We can smell the trauma and pain in the air. We see it on people’s faces. We hear it in their voices. It’s trickling down to personal lives where the helplessness to the state and its unethical and unjust ways have started to affect the mental health of individuals and affecting their lives. There is anger and frustration and immense sadness and we are all triggered all the time and deflecting our pain onto our loved ones.
“Emotions attached to a traumatic event will find a home. Road rage, crimes, violence, and drug addictions, dysfunctional interpersonal relationships are some of the areas that are growing as avenues for these collective unresolved traumatic emotions. Most of us even in social settings are simply discussing the state of our affairs and so are nervous systems are constantly hyperactivated and we are in chronic stress. This trauma of existing in Pakistan is affecting our mental and physical health and we all have our fight, flight, and free responses to it. The worst thing is that we cannot see anything at the end of this dark tunnel. Hope is important and yet we are so scared to hope”.
Commenting on post-February 8 scenario, a columnist wrote: “There are no two opinions about the fact that the country is wading through the toughest ever economic and political crisis owing to the shenanigans of the political elite and their reckless indulgence in politics of self-aggrandizement. Their penchant for clinching political power by all means is the root-cause of the situation where Pakistan stands at the moment. The tragedy is that they are not prepared to learn from the self-inflicted disasters”.
The trauma of living in a society plagued by corruption and violence takes a toll on the mental and emotional well-being of individuals, exacerbating feelings of helplessness and disempowerment. As collective trauma permeates society, manifestations of distress such as road rage, crime, and substance abuse become increasingly prevalent. The pervasive sense of insecurity and uncertainty breeds a culture of fear, perpetuating a cycle of dysfunction and despair.
Moreover, Pakistan’s geopolitical isolation and economic stagnation exacerbate feelings of envy and resentment towards neighboring nations like India and Bangladesh, which have made strides towards progress and prosperity. The realization that Pakistan’s creation may have been a historic misstep fuels a sense of disillusionment and regret among segments of the population.
Amidst the turmoil, voices of dissent and criticism emerge, decrying the political elite’s self-serving agendas and reckless pursuit of power. Yet, the entrenched interests of the ruling class hinder meaningful reform, perpetuating a cycle of dysfunction and decline. As Pakistan grapples with its existential crisis, the need for introspection and accountability becomes increasingly urgent.
In today’s Pakistan the entire nation is going through trauma. They are paralyzed by fear. After decades of getting separated from India due to madness of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his cronies, Pakistanis now feel envy of India and Bangladesh seeing these nations moving towards tremendous progress, prosperity and peace. A large segment of Pakistanis even has started publicly saying – “It was Jinnah’s blunder getting us separated from India. The creation of Pakistan was a huge blunder”.
Pakistan stands at a crossroads, teetering on the brink of failure amidst a myriad of challenges. The pervasive culture of corruption, coupled with political instability and economic uncertainty, threatens to undermine the nation’s prospects for progress and prosperity. Yet, amidst the darkness, there remains a glimmer of hope – a collective yearning for change and a resilient spirit that refuses to be extinguished. As Pakistanis confront their shared trauma and strive for a better future, the path ahead remains uncertain, but the journey towards hope and renewal must continue.
