I have been really fortunate lately to be able to meet and speak about Take Back Pakistan with different groups of people. Since we started this initiative, we have seen it growing slowly, but what has been interesting have been the conversations that we have had with people; so I wanted to take a moment and talk about Take Back Pakistan. What it is. What we plan to achieve. What and why we believe.

Take Back Pakistan is very honestly a social initiative. Like the old saying says “start by giving at home,” Take Back Pakistan is a call to the citizens of Pakistan, in Pakistan and around the world, to save this nation from itself. I take nothing away from the great achievements that we have as a nation, but we believe that Pakistanis have forgotten Pakistan in the midst of the daily grind, the media reports of problems, and the constant blame of terrorist links. Pakistan can only be saved by its citizens from all walks of life, professional and educational backgrounds.

So, Take Back Pakistan challenges citizens to read the manifesto and then make a promise to honestly change the way they do things for the good of the country. Now, some people have said that the manifesto is too simplistic and doesn’t cover everything. Fine, but how about starting with these things and then working towards the bigger problems like health care, education, human rights and social welfare. Also, since we don’t want to limit debate, if you feel that we have missed something, please add it in the comments and, if appropriate, we will add it to the manifesto.

Now the first question that comes up from everyone: what makes this different than any NGO, political party, or social group? Great question, easy answer.

Take Back Pakistan is the first citizen driven organization that doesn’t have a single leader, but a community of voices that speak in unison. There are no political ambitions for any of us involved, nor do we take membership dues or donations.

Take Back Pakistan is a community speaking about the things that we, as citizens, can change without the involvement of the government, politicians, NGOs, or anyone else. And more importantly, actually following through and taking due responsibility as citizens of Pakistan for its welfare, growth and protection.

Unlike other organizations, Take Back Pakistan is not represented by glorified egomaniacs or crazed nationalists, but by 170 million Pakistanis every day. This is your platform to talk about problems and offer solutions. To create a healthy debate so that clear action plans can be created and followed to change the bigger problems of our nation. But what we can do today, we should do today.

How long do we have to make these changes that are in the manifesto? That is up to you. Some people may already have many of the items of the manifesto as part of their daily lives, others may have none. What can’t disappoint or discourage you is where you stand on the manifesto, because this is not a competition or contest. This is about nation building in its purist sense. Personally, I have a long way to go to achieve many of the items on the manifesto, but I am committed to changing this nation for the better. One step at a time, one day after another. The question is actually are you?

Who will make sure we follow our promise? You will. The way that we see it is simple; if you are honestly committed to change, and you know that you are going to make mistakes in the beginning, but are willing to forgive those to achieve more, what many call “losing a few battles to win the war,” then we have nothing to worry about. If you don’t fit this persona, then martial law couldn’t make you change.

A lot, and I do mean, a lot of people said to me that “Pakistan only understands force, so without force this can’t succeed.” I tend to disagree. Pakistanis are a people that are hungry for a leader, but have been cheated by those they have trusted. Political parties have violated their manifestos, government officials desecrate their offices everyday with a lack of commitment, and our elected politicians don’t bother to do anything in the Assemblies because they are too busy accusing the government of not having a mandate, not listening to the people, committing human rights abuses, and the list goes on and on… but when has anyone done anything to change the status quo? Have you read the new laws for corruption, human rights abuses and honor crimes? No? That’s right… our democratically elected parliament hasn’t had time in the past 11 years to draft any laws to protect the people of Pakistan, but they make sure they get salary and benefit increases every year… interesting concept… feed myself and screw the people that put me here.

Take Back Pakistan asks Pakistanis to put the trust in themselves to lead by example; to change a nation by being a nation, rather than political parties, provinces, ethnic groups or religious ideologies; to finally stand as one, speak as one and grow as one Proud Pakistan.

We are 170 million strong when we speak together for change, advancement and development, social and economic.

We have a long road to get there. To cross all the imaginary boundaries that have been created between ethnic groups, political party workers, provincial differences and social injustice, and find the Pakistan that we all know exists will take time.

How much time depends on our commitment. We could see the birth of a new Pakistan tomorrow, or 5 years from now, but we need to all get on one road to get there.

For 60 years, we have followed every soothsayer, politician, dictator and foreign power; now let the citizens lead the change in Pakistan for the next 60 years. I know we can do it better than they have.

Are you ready to change history?

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