IT is said that water in a pond gets polluted if it remains static for a few days. Similarly, those communities — unwilling to change and which reject new patterns of life — are considered to be static. They are left behind in the race of rapid development.
Conversely, the communities that are willing to change and adopt new patterns of life are always on the path of development. To be static for a community is to be dead.
A person who remains still and confined to bed for a long period would find his organs are affected. Therefore, creative and positive change is always welcomed. The Holy Quran encourages nations to change according to their time. Allah says “…Indeed! Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves” (13:11).
Developed societies are constantly in a state of flux. They are in search of best practices to move ahead and change as time goes by. People’s knowledge, thinking, work patterns, requirements, priorities and sources of income change over time. The Pakistani society of several decades ago was different from our present society. Indeed, there are aspects which should not change. Like building peace among people, and helping weaker members of society.
To be static means to be dead.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) introduced many changes in his society during his mission, for example, reforming the practices of Haj. We learn that change is the law of nature; it is the characteristic of everything that exists; it is the fundamental key in understanding the universe. Everything — from the microscopic shifting of atoms to the grand, cyclical transitions of seasons — is in constant flux. In philosophy and ecology, this perpetual transformation drives growth, adaptation, and the delicate balance of life.
In this world, the success of every person, organisation, community or nation relies heavily on its capacity to adopt continuous, systemic change. We see that global economies, technologies and social dynamics are constantly evolving. However, the nations that have weak institutions inevitably stagnate and get left behind.
If we look at the UN, founded in 1945 after World War II, we see that its aim was to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among states and promote international cooperation. Unfortunately, the UN has remained ineffective in achieving many of its objectives because it has not changed according to the requirements of time. Though many voices are calling for change, they remain unheard.
If we look at the best companies in the world, they have been successful in their business for decades. Their success hinges on continuous change. Change is very important for these companies. Adapting to change, adapting to whatever’s going on, being able to become better is their business goal. They look at what the market is saying and how to match what the market needs.
Similarly, the best teachers are those who do not teach every lesson the same way. They are always striving to be better. Likewise, with the best athletes, every shot they take, they are learning for the next shot. And they are not afraid of taking those shots.
Change at the political level is also an essential aspect of national life. Pakistan got independence in 1947 and inherited the colonial system of governance. It had many flaws as its aim was to tame the local population. For the next nine years, the nation did not have a constitution and the required changes in the colonial system of governance were long overdue. One of the major flaws of the colonial system were larger provinces. Arguably, large provinces, which concentrate powers in a few hands, have remained unresponsive to people’s needs.
The government had established a committee for civil service reforms in 2025. Its aim was to suggest reforms in the system. Exercises such as these need to thoroughly examine the problems afflicting the nation in the present-day circumstances.
At present, there is a heated debate going on nationally about the local bodies’ empowerment and restructuring Pakistan into many provinces. Such a debate is a healthy trend and needs to be encouraged. It is a good omen that major political parties and the intelligentsia are trying to come out of political expediency mode and move towards a pragmatic and people-friendly approach.
The major chunk of our population lives below the poverty line. The important sectors such as health, education, population management and social improvement need unavoidable changes that suit our country. Empowerment at the local level that strengthens the federation and allows public participation in governmental affairs is the need of the hour.
The writer is an educationist with an interest in religion.
Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2026
