Written by Abdul Alim: Before it gets out of hand, let us inject a sense of sobriety in what is seen to be a “turning around” of Pakistan. Optimistic elements desperate for signs of hope, have cast the hosting of Oscar winning Shirmin Chinoy in Prime Minister’s house, the passing of anti-harassment bill by Punjab and hanging of Qadri as indications of a “New” Pakistan. Let me be the kill-joy and bring a sense of reality to over-reading into the recent developments.

Two major issues could be easily linked into these developments and both involve Pakistan’s economic interests and certainly the interest of the defence establishment. One, is the on-going strategic dialogue with the United States and the other is the all-important need to demonstrate our seriousness to the Chinese with regards to the new economic corridor.

To the United States, and our donor nations, the message is clear. Pakistan is serious about combating terror and also about addressing women’s rights, especially if Hillary Clinton, gets into the White House. This should help in getting donor aid which is crucial for meeting our ever growing budgetary deficits.

To the Chinese, who are obviously, worried about ensuring insulation of their own Muslim Uighur population from our biggest export – the Mullahs, it’s important for us demonstrate that not only we can hang terrorists but also ensure peace and stability to move ahead with the US$ 46 billion economic corridor.

The truth – Pakistan is in dire fiscal straits. Over 70% of the budget goes into debt servicing. With 25 million children out of school and one third of the total of nation’s children malnourished we are a factory that produces more than enough Qadris to destroy the nation and all its hopes and ambitions for any liberal and enlightened future.

The 100,000 people who turned up about at Qadri’s funeral represent at least 600,000 if we take them to represent 1 of the 6 in an average household. This represent not a number but a manifestation of a disease, a mind-set that cannot be killed by just one hanging. It needs a higher price, a bigger drug – one that we are not willing to take – to repeal the second amendment in the 1973 constitution. An amendment that has filled us with self-righteous hatred of the “other” and has given rise to laws dividing us into humans and non-humans.

The second amendment is the birth place of the Qadri mind-set. Ordinance XX of Pakistan’s constitution is the midwife that delivers extremism. Pakistani affirmation of Muslimhood is built on the negation of existence and apartheid of its own citizens.

Yes these may be good developments but what are the real intentions? For a genuine change, a policy and a social turnaround is required. Repeal the second amendment, trash the Ordinance XX and put enough money into public education to close all madrassahs. Only then Pakistan can dream of a real future.

@abdelalimx