Shazia Cheema
THE Washington Post in one of its articles states that more than 45000 veterans and active duty service men have killed themselves in the past six years, that is more than 20 deaths a day, in other words more suicides each year than the total American military deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now that is a real alarming situation whether it could be handled just by social media; I don’t think so, because suicide is triggered by many concrete elements such as relationship problem, work place non- adjustment, chronic pain, post trauma stress, sleep disorders. Therefore, all these cognitive mal-functions require serious professional help.
After keenly observing this phenomenon, I naturally got curios about the domestic situation. Fortunately, did not find any news, news article or social media trend about Pakistani veterans committing suicide on any note-able scale. Youth in Pakistan has its own dynamics of being successful. Middle and upper-middle socio- economic class considers becoming a doctor or engineer synonymous to success and all the time and family resources are diverted toward that goal. That provides ground for mushroom growth of private academies and tuition and coaching centres. Students memorizing textbooks in schools and colleges during morning times and in evening they are cramming in academies and tuition centers just to become successful Pakistani.
Here success for sure means change in economic and social class because rich in Pakistan doesn’t strive for success they inherit it. In this rat race of being affluent, there is another profession and strangely not the first choice in many other countries; however it is the top priority and that is induction in the Pakistan Army. Parents start preparation by putting their children in cadet schools or preparatory academies long before the actual selection exam. Being selected in Pakistan Army guarantees success even more than becoming a doctor and engineer.
I will explain why; after acquiring a five-year Madison degree or four-year engineering degree doesn’t mean a decent job and salary, one has to study at least couple of more years and must acquire a few more degrees to get a good job, but on the other hand after 12th grade if someone is selected for PMA, that guarantees a job along with other attractions like housing, insurance, medical-care and list goes on and on. Although military recruitment requires particular individuals but as it is a desired profession in Pakistan, students who may have natural tendency towards philosophy, research and critical thinking seep in through the selection filters. The academies and preparatory courses help them to work out the selection exam, In comparison if a C-grader in high school with evident withdrawal symptoms seemingly not getting into Madison, Law degree or any other top priority profession, ends up in Forces as a last option; by all means the toughness and hardship a solider is supposed to endure takes its toll but the real problem starts when they leave forces and end-up not finding a job, having no place to live and stuck in fluctuated relationships. Contrarily Pakistani soldiers live a life a dignified life, which is a reward of their selfless sacrifices for the nation.
I must say Pakistanis are treating their soldiers quite well even putting their own basic needs aside. These charming handsome men in uniform, once bright students, are fully justifying their intelligence and sharp critical thinking by making a great institution even greater. Pakistan Army is one of the strongest armies in the world. I am proud to say that our soldiers love to enjoy their hard earned success and prestige and giving up at any stage is simply irrelevant.
—The writer is Professor at University of Lahore.
