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!
This is really what makes ATP such a special place and community.
You say what is on everyone’s mind, but which still surprises us because no one else is saying this.
Great choice.
We have done injustice to police always and it is now time to make up.
I love the suggestion of saying thank you to a policeman next time you see one.
@ Sidhas & Owais/Adil
If anybody wants to make a donation, I would recommend doing so instead to some school providing education to underprivileged children rather than to the police or armed forces.
Education is more serious.
And our schools are still being targetted in the NWFP.
I need to be the fly in the ointment here.
It is only this year when the Pakistani policeman, in his black and khakis has become the symbol of resistance against an unforgiving strain of fanaticism.
Since my childhood in the ’80’s, the policeman has been a symbol of corruption in our society.
SH bought up a good point about the low wages paid to all policeman.
But let us not forget that corruption is and continues to be a harsh reality of Pakistani policemen.
Obviously this reality has to change. The sad word to decribe sacrifice’s rendered by Pakistan’s policemen in the year of the lord 2009, is unwitting.
They continue to give their lives to protect the public, but also to protect the public order.
Declaring them Pakistan’s persons of the year for 2009 is probably the best and decent thing to do.
Adil/Owias,
You should send these posting via email to Pakistan’s Polices. Punjab and Sindh police have good websites. You can also send emails of affection to Pakistan Army for their heroic role and sacrifice.
Question to all readers:
Can we send donations to Pakistan Army and/or Pakistan Police from United States in such circumstances as ours?
How would you send donations when you are a US citizen? legally.
The nation salutes the Policemen’s, the soldiers and other members of the law enforcements for it’s is because of their heroic acts that we are able to carry out our daily affairs. Please do empathize with the police constable who stand alert and the checkpoints knowing that he might not be able to see the dawn. I strongly second the motion to celebrate 2009 as the year of policemen!!!! Pakistan Zindabad