State, Society and Citizens Opinion Thenews - Com.pk Karachi

Watch Live Videos
(https://www.thenews.com.pk/)
State, society and citizens

Opinion Kamila Hyat (https://www.thenews.com.pk/writer/kamila-hyat) July 25, 2019
The question of what makes a society has been asked by philosophers, political
scientists and academics over many years. What we ask today is in some ways
simpler. Are we any longer a society? And what are the characteristics of this
society if we are indeed one.
Societies are essentially built around the premise of a group of people living
together within a speci c territory and under at least a loose agreement with the
state. This also implies some relationship with each other. A society cannot after all
be made up of individuals living alone in their own spaces and pursuing only their
own self-interests. Yet we appear to have done away with the civic sense which is
vital to holding citizens together. This is the glue that binds individuals into a
society.
The evidence of the disappearance of this binding factor is widespread. On the

roads, drivers rarely care about the welfare of others also using the same highway,
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?
(https://twitter.com/share?
(whatsapp://send?
(sms://?
while cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists are given even less heed. This is very
u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenews.com.pk%2Fprint%2F503101-
text=State,
text=State,
body=State,
state- society
obviously society
society in the rain, when motorists speed through muddy stretches
visible
society-
and and and
ignoring
and- those on foot or on two-wheel vehicles desperately attempting to avoid
citizens&url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/503101-
citizens
citizens
citizens)
state-https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/503101-
getting <br>
splashed or covered in dirt. Elsewhere around the world, we see drivers
society-
stopping even
state-on busy roads to allow vehicles coming from the other direction to
and- society-
cross citizens)
and- or
over society-
making way to ensure those who are walking get across safely.
citizens)
and-
Listen (//app-as.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=9520&audioﬁlename=state-society-and-
citizens)
citizens&lang=en_uk&readid=storydetailarea&url=)
It has been argued that this is a matter of awareness and education. But is this really
true? The same Pakistani citizens who refuse to line up at counters or airport
queues at home, or those who(https://www.thenews.com.pk/)
speed past schoolchildren, adopt completely
di erent behaviours as soon as they arrive in other countries. Perhaps it is policing,
perhaps it is behaviour around them which makes the di erence. But
understanding how and why this happens is important.
No society can successfully hold together when there is constant friction within it.
Such friction occurs when neighbours throw garbage outside the gates of others
living on the same street, when there are scu es at places where disciplined
queuing would get the work done more quickly for everyone or when ridiculous
ghts break out at expensive shops as the latest brand of lawn suiting or sometimes
other items go on sale. It has been known for customers, almost all of them well-o
and well educated, to attack each other or tear the cloth apart in an attempt to
acquire it.
The lack of regard for others is also seen in the misuse of public toilets, even aboard
aircraft or in the garbage left at popular spots whether in parks, historical sites or
locations in scenic holiday areas. While Pakistan undoubtedly has much to o er
tourists, as the government is emphasizing, we should ask if anyone would choose
to visit even Switzerland or Hawaii if they were to be treated with stretches o
stinking garbage left behind by those who had visited before them.
The problem extends into many areas of life. It is perhaps worst of all in major
urban centres where any sense of community has broken down. The old ‘mohallah’
culture of Lahore which allowed children to safely play in open spaces along the
narrow streets or walk over to the candy shop is virtually dead. Today there is less
and less value for the welfare of other citizens or even for their life. Cases of mob
violence continue to be reported and incidents in which a person shoots, stabs or
injures another over a relatively petty matter are not unknown. Those who are less
wealthy, and therefore less protected, are perhaps the most vulnerable.
Some of(whatsapp://send?
the(sms://?
reasons for this may lie in the failure of the state over many decades to
text=State,
text=State,
body=State,
providesociety
state-society
basic requirements to people, such as equal access to justice, opportunities
society
to redress
and and grievances
society- and and a structure of policing which makes people feel safe
and- citizens&url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/503101-
citizens
citizens
rather
citizens)
than<br>facing a threat from a dangerous force. The manner in which police
frequently
society- deal with even the most peaceful protests and their reputation according
and- society-
state-
to studies
citizens)
by Transparency International and other groups as the country’s most
and- society-
corruptcitizens)
department
and- contributes to the sense of unease among citizens. It also
(//app-as.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=9520&audioﬁlename=state-society-and-
Listen citizens)
builds within them a lack of regard for the space in which they live and an attitude
of hostility towards those in authority. Lack of tolerance, increasingly seen even on
university campuses, has simply worsened the situation.
So, what does it take to build civic sense? Some answers may lie in better policing
mechanisms and the fear of penalty in the form of ne or other measures. But this
alone cannot be enough. A respect for other people who share the same space
needs to be built among citizens if they are to enjoy harmonious coexistence.
Inbuilt prejudices based around ethnicity, belief and class add to our problems –
though it should be noted that similar uncouth behaviours are seen amongst
members of almost every group. The owners of fancy vehicles do not hesitate to
roll down windows and spatter litter along roads, no matter what city they live in or
how much education they have attained.
There are places in our country where a spirit of community still exists. Hunza in
Gilgit-Baltistan is an example. There are also others. It is sad then to hear
complaints from the people of such areas about how their culture, their society and
their safety are being threatened by visitors from outside. It seems we will not stop
until we have turned our entire country into a social jungle. The ability to learn
from those who set good examples seems to have vanished. Simple courtesies,
which once formed a part of culture, thanking others for small services or
apologizing when they have in some way being disturbed appear to have
disappeared.
Perhaps schooling is partially responsible, perhaps it is the growing unrest and

brutality all around that has created such attitudes. Most schools today focus only
on collecting fees and delivering the high grades which parents often regard as the
sole aim or learning. The more important concept of inculcating the skill of
civilized behaviour, kindness and respect for others is no longer of signi cance in
many learning environments.
All this has a signi cant impact on the kind of lives we live and the level of
satisfaction with living them. Almost every citizen has a string of complaints. Most
(whatsapp://send?
(sms://?
text=State,
text=State,
body=State,
of thesesociety
state-society
aresociety
perfectly justi ed. But if they are to be resolved state, society and
citizens
society-
and and mustand work collectively. Without this it is impossible to create the team
citizens
citizens
spirit
citizens)
which holds communities and nations together. Ours is in danger of falling
<br>
apart atstate-
thehttps://www.thenews.com.pk/print/503101-
society- seams.
and- society-
state-
citizens)
and- society-
citizens)
and-
citizens)
Before it is too late we need to sew these seams back together, stitch by stitch, so
that a strong social fabric can be created and the aws which threaten to rip it apart
ironed away one at a time. This process needs to involve the state which must
resume its duty of providing people with the services it is entrusted with. But
communities, families, individuals and other social groups need to be engaged to in
the process if it is to succeed.
(The writer is a freelance columnist and former newspaper editor.)
Email: kamilahyat@hotmail.com
Ad
Quiz questions to earn rewards

Download the app to answer quiz and get a chance to win rewards
Winnit
More From Opinion
(whatsapp://send?
(sms://?
text=State,
text=State,
body=State,
state-societysociety
society
society-
and and and
citizens
citizens
citizens)
<br>
society-
and- society-
state-
citizens)
and- society-
citizens)
and-
citizens)

State, Society and Citizens Opinion Thenews - Com.pk Karachi

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

State, Society and Citizens Opinion Thenews - Com.pk Karachi

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Watch Live Videos

State, society and citizens

The evidence of the disappearance of this binding factor is widespread. On the

Perhaps schooling is partially responsible, perhaps it is the growing unrest and

(The writer is a freelance columnist and former newspaper editor.)

Quiz questions to earn rewards

More From Opinion

S-ar putea să vă placă și