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!
Nice choice! Infact just thinking of them losing their lives in the line of duty made me somewhat emotional. but thinking on another perspective, it was high time the Police force had learnt their responsibilities. They had been sleeping altogether letting corruption root in them deep and letting themselves flow in the hands of corrupt to the core politicians. Its true they are underpaid and underesourced but the fact is that if they won’t demand for their rights they will not have them. The new police reforms is maybe a new beginning. but I still feel there are many more who deserve to be nominated this award. the people of Swat and Waziristan deserve this award if you ask me. Police is meant to fight criminals but it was the people of Swat and Waziristan who first handedly experienced the terror even though they were civilians. Bravery and valor is being shown by Police now and I hope and pray that we all including the brave police start realizing our duties as citizens of Pakistan! Words of the Late Mr. Ashfaq Ahmed come to mind ”May Allah help us in relieving our difficulties and also that Allah help us in helping others releive their difficulties”
Excellent choice. I think many Pakistanis are belatedly coming to this conclusion.
Nice post you have managed I salute to all the forces of Pakistan
Excellent choice. Recognizing the policemen on security jobs who are the only thing between Taliban killers and us is a great idea. It is time we honored them.
I am wondering if it is a joke to name Policeman as the person of the year. Ask the father of the 12 year girl who was abducted and gang raped, and police did not register a FIR. For details see. Perhaps next year ATP will select the corrupt and greedy military generals as person of the year.
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-l ibrary/dawn/the-newspaper/national/young-girl-gang -raped,-killed