Since we started this initiative, so many people have come to us, asking to be a part of Take back Pakistan (read “How to Get Involved”). A lot of them make suggestions for protests, or public rallies, or education plans to take this to the “common man” – the majority are excited by the idea of patriotism and loving Pakistan, something sadly missing from our mix. There has been some finger-pointing and Pakistan-bashing in the midst of it all, and while the site was born from a long, vicious tirade that could be classified as Pakistan-bashing, Take back Pakistan is resolutely against such activities.

Here’s the thing with all these suggestions: you haven’t understood the movement! There is a clearly defined manifesto for the Take Back Pakistan Initiative. This is not a political party, and we have no social or financial agendas. Its time to think outside the box for Pakistan.

For all those out there who want to be a part of this initiative: before you jump onto the bandwagon with your enthusiasm and your patriotism, UNDERSTAND what this movement means. The manifesto applies to YOU, not to the distant “common man” which we have become so fond of fighting for. If YOU are not Pakistan’s “common man”, then you are part of the problem. ACCEPT IT. CHANGE IT. This manifesto is for people who have the will-power and determination to CHANGE THEMSELVES, not others, and not the system. Until we change ourselves, the system will never change.

The manifesto is a list of simple philosophies and civic duties that we need to inculcate in ourselves. If you want to join this initiative, please understand that you have to be able to say that you follow, or are trying to follow the guidelines listed here. That you feel you can and will espouse these philosophies in your own life. That you understand the power of the individual, and are looking for a long-term solution, not another slap-dash, half-hearted attempt to change the system from the outside.

WE ARE THE SYSTEM. Without us, there would be no political parties, no riots, no mayhem, no corruption. Without us, there would be no class inequality, no injustice, no terror. Without us, there would be no Pakistan. If we choose, this country can be great. But we have to stop blaming the ‘system’, or the government for everything that isn’t right in this country. Take Back Pakistan is an individual’s initiative. It doesn’t make us superior, and just joining the movement doesn’t make you a patriot. You have to DO the things set out in the manifesto, not just talk about them.

What have I done? About 2 weeks ago, I started a harsh look at my home country of Pakistan. No holds barred. Take no prisoners. I got a lot of emails, phone calls and comments about the postings and the discussion that I had started. Now, when I started this series, I knew that I would get a lot of negative reaction to what I had to say, and I was not disappointed. Over the past week, while writing the final installment of the “I Don’t Wear Glasses… Rose Colored or Otherwise,” I was insulted, degraded and told that I am wasting my time with “a people that not only don’t want to change, but can’t do it anyway.” Some even said that the points were trivial and too general to me personally to be taken on a national level. I just wanted to say one thing to all of you doubters:

Thank you for giving me another reason to take this another step further.

“The Bill of No-Rights” was written by Lewis Napper, a Libertarian candidate for the United States Senate, and can be found here, as a response to American’s “true rights were eroded, always in the name of giving everyone some new imaginary ‘right,” during the Clinton Administration.

This “Bill of No Rights” garnered over 30,000 signatures, was read by millions globally as a “do-it-yourself” position for everyone.

What I have done is modify it to fit Pakistan and give us a framework for the Manifesto for Take Back Pakistan. Some things that I need to clarify before you start reading:

• These are all things that can be done individually
• None of these items require protests, rallies or financial donations
• The only person that can hold you accountable is YOU!

The Draft Manifesto for Take Back Pakistan

“We the sensible people of the Pakistan, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters.

We hold these truths to be self evident: Read more »