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!
Some may have differing viewpoints on whether a police force as corrupt as Pakistan’s deserves such recognition but I am of the opinion that they face so much real risk for so little gain that they should be respected for that alone. Furthermore, some level of “myth-building” is important for the self-image of a people so let’s build positive myths and positive models for the police in Pakistan. Last, recognizing an entire group rather than an individual sends a wonderful signal, that we should care less about leaders, personalities and hero-worship and more about the qualities of leadership which should be in every one of us.
Great Choice. ATP at its best.
I salute our brave policemen who are taking the risks for all of us.
I would suggest we all spread this post to other blogs asking them to also carry it and maybe also media so that the policemen themselves know that we appreciate their efforts and honor them.
Excellent choice; could not agree with you more. While we have the luxury of debating and pontificating, projecting our own thoughts from the comfort and safety of our homes, these men are out there on the front lines, braving suicide bombers, fanatics, and extremists. In return for insultingly low salaries and subhuman working conditions, we expect them to fend off hardened terrorists, and put them in the lose-lose position of performing their duties while keeping their corrupt political superiors happy.
Excellent choice by ATP.
And something that most Pakistanis usually miss. I join you in saluting the Pakistani policeman as the Person of the Year.
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “Good choice. We owe much to them.”
– “We should pay tribute to all martyres who lost their lives in war against terrorism & extresim at cost of our peace.”
– “Nice (Y)”
– “GOOD”
– “agreed”
– “It is high time Pakistan Police is recognized and given its due place in society it deserves. It needs financial support, but more than that it needs moral support and encouragement so that it could become a force to be recokned.
It’s corruption, nepotism, will only go once it is recognized as a an important state institution, and not personal fiefdom.”
– “agreed!!”
– “A 1000 Salutations to the Front Line Warriors of Pakistan.”
– “Khuda karay kay yeh Roshni Rahay !”