THIS is apropos the article ‘What freedom meant’ (Aug 10). The writer has rightly drawn the attention of readers to the true spirit of freedom. Today, for upholding the sovereignty of Pakistan, people merely show patriotism by flying flags from housetops and wearing shirts made up of Pakistani flags, but this is no pragmatic approach to understanding freedom and making the nation sovereign.

Freedom is that which the Quaid had envisaged for Pakistan. He wanted to make a society not only free from colonial rule but also a just society where everyone could live with equality and prosperity. He wanted a united nation where democratic dispensation and its ideals would be nurtured, where education would be accessible to all, where peasants and the poor would be free from indebtedness and where the voice of the people would be upheld.

Alas! This dream of our leader is being dashed as Pakistan is being pushed into a miserable condition. Today there is chaos and anarchy everywhere — in our so-called democratic political system — minorities are being persecuted, the economy is a shambles, and millions of children are out of school.

Today Pakistan’s image is tarnished and terrorism has engulfed the basic fabric of our society. So, at this critical juncture, it is time we pondered over how the nation can get rid of all its menaces rather than showing the game of power on G.T Road.

Sadaf Gul

Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2017