Martin Luther King, Jr. said “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Many of us believe that the real man is the one who has money, wealth and respect, but actually it is the man who strives in times of need for his country, giving all he has got to protect his nation in good and bad times.

The Quaid-i-Azam made this country so that we Pakistanis could live a peaceful, non-violent, united life, but if we just close our eyes for one minute and think, we will notice that we have failed the Quaid in his three aims. Every day the newspaper has news about murderers, gang rapes, and conflict between our different parties.

Our country was based on the motto of 'Unity, Faith and Discipline'. Unity has been eradicated, as everyone is trying to overpower the other in every aspect, may it be in politics or even for roadside cleaners. Respect for us is slowly disappearing; Pakistanis are being branded 'terrorists', 'cheaters' and 'corrupt money makers' all over the world.

And if we talk about discipline, there is none. Waiting for the red light to turn green sends us into a frenzy. The only thing which can help us is our unity, and our belief in one another. Johann Firedrich said “Even the weak become strong when they are united.” So, putting our differences in religion, race and power aside, we should all categorise ourselves as 'Pakistanis' and show the world that their assumptions that Pakistan will not come out of the crisis are wrong. We all should follow what John F. Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. We should rise and begin a new era as one.

KHALID IBRAHIM AHMAD
Karachi