Pakistan Person of the Year, 2009

Posted on December 29, 2009
Filed Under >Adil Najam, >Owais Mughal, About ATP, Law & Justice, People
50 Comments
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Adil Najam and Owais Mughal

The faces of 2009 have been, for most part, sad faces.

There have been a few exceptions – like that of Shahid Afridi raising his hands after Pakistan’s T20 victory – but the exceptions have been few and far between. The faces that stand out in the images from Pakistan in 2009 are the faces of resilient judges, of thick-skinned politicians, of all-knowing media mavens, of courageous soldiers, and, indeed, also the faces of murdering suicide bombers.

But the faces that represent the reality of Pakistan in 2009 more than any other, are the faces of the Pakistani police. That feelings of angst, that feelings of living on the edge, that feeling of not knowing what might happen next, but, above all, that feeling of grit and a defiant resolve to keep standing no matter what the odds, are all captured in the faces of the Pakistani police that we have see too many times in 2009 as they battle on the front-line, one bombing after the other.

In gratitude, and in respect, we at All Things Pakistan feel that a most worthy choice for the Pakistan Person of the Year 2009 is the Pakistani Policeman.

All too often we, including on this blog, focus on the lighter side of the Pakistani policeman. The Pakistani cop is an all too familiar figure, one who does not often get the respect he deserves, and when the light-hearted comments are made out of fondness, it is all too easy to forget just how difficult their job is and just how under-resourced and under-appreciated the Pakistani policeman really is.

This has always been true, but was never more true than in 2009. All too often in this murderous year, the Pakistani policeman’s life – very literally – was the only thing between a suicide bomber and his would-be victims. 2009 saw too many Pakistani policemen paying the ultimate price in valor, in duty, and in courage. Today, we wish to salute all of them. Today, we proudly salute the Pakistani policeman who has stood – and who continues to stand – in defence of all of the rest of us. In a war where the front-line is every street and ever neighborhood, the Pakistani policeman guards the front-line.

Today, we wish to register our gratitude to the Pakistani policeman. Today, we wish to thank the Pakistani policeman. Even as we continue to pray for him!

50 responses to “Pakistan Person of the Year, 2009”

  1. ASAD says:

    I also think this is an excellent choice. As a nation we all need to show our policemen that we understand and appreciate the risks they are taking on themselves. I think the police itself has come stronger from this turmoil.

    Imagine a Pakistan where, after the judiciary, the police also becomes a strong institution. Just how many good things will automatically follow.

  2. Hassan Abbas says:

    Excellent choice – well deserved. Very recently, I heard Inspector General of Police in NWFP saying on television (probably GEO Tv) that in 2009, the number of desersions from police across NWFP significantly declined; job applications have increased; and most insightfully police officials deputed in dangerous areas are not requesting for transfers to ‘safe areas’- an indication of resilience and courage. Hopefully, federal as well as provincial governments in Pakistan will invest more in law enforcement organizations.

  3. Bushra says:

    I think this year belongs to both the police and the army jawans who are doing the hard work against the enemies of Pakistan.

  4. Junaid says:

    Pakistan Police zndabad.

    This is very timely because recently I have been thinking the same. Everytime I pass a police security check I think of how dangerous a job they are doing when the Taliban are targeting them every day.

  5. HarOON says:

    What an inspired choice. Bravo to ATP for giving credit where it is due.
    The ordinary Pakistani policeman is in fact the first line of defence.
    A good choice for the Person of the Year in Pakistan.

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