Conceptually, the word harmony means; understanding each other’s ideas, feelings and actions for living-together in an environment of mutual acceptability, tolerance, empathy and sympathy. The term mostly used for social coherence of a society through the bonds of moral adequacy and socio-economic interdependence. Social harmony of a society is done on volunteer basis without making use of any coercive means. Through various means of social harmony, societies are joined together for the next higher level; the national integration which a process of combining various societies in an effective way. The national integration is the process of achieving synchronization among all societies, devising a common identity and national consciousness among the masses and constituent units of the state. It is a psychological and educational process for the development of common feeling of unity, solidarity and cohesion.
In the process of national integration, the diverse factors like; religion, language, culture, tribes, casts and ethnicity are harnessed under the single factor of nationalism. The creation of Pakistan though propelled by ideological factor, yet Pakistan has people from other religions, cultures, ethnic backgrounds, casts and creeds who lived in harmony for the last over 77 years. Indeed, people from diverse political backgrounds, religions, casts, creeds and different ethnic backgrounds have worked together for a cohesive and harmonious society under the banner of Pakistani nationalism through national integration. In a way, Pakistan has national unity through a social diversity. Traditionally, the social filament of Pakistan remained harmonized and integrated and existed as a peaceful society for centuries (even before independence in 1947).
It was decade of 1980s where there appeared cracks in the social fiber of Pakistan, owing to so-called Afghan Jihad. Pakistani geopolitics, its national assets and populace were used for a war between two super-powers of that time; United States and Soviet Union. The war ended with disintegration of former Soviet Union and U.S left the region in haste, leaving Pakistan in a lurch without disposing the so-called Mujahedeen from all over the globe. Pakistani society was flooded with illegal weapons, illegal money, drugs and many other social ills and evils which negatively impacted the society in next one decade (1990s). The beginning of the 21st century was even more disastrous and harmful for the state and society of Pakistan through a foreign sponsored war; the so-called war against terrorism. This self-imposed and foreign sponsored war has literally devastated the social, economic and political foundations of Pakistan through a systematic process.
The most significant harm these successive foreign sponsored wars caused to Pakistan include; the disturbance of social order and social harmony. In a way, Pakistani society was directly targeted, damaging its social cohesion and rescinding its national integration. There exists political instability which is causing economic disorder of the state to a dangerous level. Indeed, currently Pakistani society is passing through a phase of political instability and socio-economic uncertainty. The rival forces situated in and around the geopolitical boundaries of Pakistan and those eyeing on its strategic assets had long worked and desired such a state of social unrest, political instability, looming security threats and falling economic order of Pakistan. The current situation is rapidly pushing Pakistan towards external dependence, especially in the field of economy.
Despite unprecedentedly heavy taxation over the masses and sky high inflation, returns of IMF loans and loans from other states are difficult to be paid. Food items and essential items of daily use are getting out of the buying powers of the masses. Besides, the masses feel insure from multiple angles; socially, economically, politically, unemployment and threats of terrorism. There exists mistrust between masses and the ruling elites. Apparently, the elites are ignorant or else inattentive of the issues of the masses of Pakistan. Use of coercive means and socio-political exploitation has further created a sense of scare among the masses of Pakistan. All these factors are constantly damaging the social harmony and national integration of Pakistan with an enhanced impetus and new dimensions.Unfortunately, through the massive misuse of social media, the socio-economic vulnerabilities of Pakistan are being further exploited to create chaos and confusion among the masses. Otherwise the mainstream media channels have generally been found wanting in the promotion of national integration and social harmony among the masses. The political leadership lacks the needed foresight and vision to politically and socially stabilize the masses and state by overcoming the economic crises. The price hike and heavy inflation further create anxiety and uncertainty among the masses. Under these chaotic situation, the foreign spying network and rival powers exploit the vulnerable quarters through existing fault lines like; sub-nationalism, sectarianism, factionalism, ethnic divide and political manipulation. These factors are weakening the social harmony and national integration of Pakistan
As a way forward, let’s devise the strategies to address the genuine grievances of the people through a collective national approach without coercive means. The deprived communities and vulnerable segments of the society must be brought at par with rest of Pakistani society. Through introduction of good governance, timely provision of basic facilities like; justice, education, health facilities and availability of essential food items at reasonable rates should be provided to everyone by the state.
There is dire need that, ruling elites of Pakistan should adopt the people’s centric approach, while addressing their social-economic and socio-political concerns. There is an immediate and essential requirement for the restoration of trust between masses and government and masses and national institutions. In this regards, the constitution of Pakistan provides a very clear pathway and guidelines which should be followed by every Pakistan in letter and in spirit. In the prevailing environment of social unrest, the factors like social harmony and national integration have attained added significance.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
