A man comes on the stage carrying Indian National Flag and starts waving it energetically. In the back ground, Vande Matram plays on loudly. This is followed by several girls arriving on the stage with 'diyas' in hand while Bollywood songs play in the background.

Looks normal at a time when India celebrates Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsava. But what if I tell you that on the wall behind the stage, portrait of Mohd Ali Jinnah stared down? Confused? Well, the fact is that this event took place in Shahida Islam College of Nishtar Medical University in Multan, Pakistan, as a part of ‘model UN competition’. The event was stopped by other students immediately. The reason behind stopping the event perhaps was not limited to the traditional rivalry with India but it appeared to be adding insult to injury. On one hand India celebrates Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava with pride and euphoria, Pakistan had to borrow money for the celebrations. Both nations got independent at the same time and while India boasts of a 3.3 trillion economy, Pakistan is on the verge of default.
While Indians proudly hold large number of enviable top positions in international organisations, Pakistanis are treated with suspicion. Pakistani students while trying to flee Ukraine had placed an Indian National Flag on their bus to get a safe passage. Many Pakistanis name their restaurants, hotels and businesses abroad with Indian names so that they flourish and are not boycotted. Pakistanis are checked for hours on airports abroad as if they were terrorists. Pakistan’s international standing is that of a beggar nation and an epicentre of terrorism. On the other hand, India has emerged as a powerful nation with Independent foreign policy which has many admirers in Pakistan too, including Mr Imran Khan. In spite of the propaganda and hogwash by Pakistani administration, educated people of Pakistan understand the serious mess they are in.
They know that while India continued to remain a vibrant democracy, Pakistan used terrorism as a state policy which led it to the path of doom. The genie of terrorism that Pakistan took out of the bottle is not ready to go back and has turned against its master. Pakistan prematurely celebrated Taliban’s victory but is now despondent because thousands of Talibans have poured back into FATA and Khaiber Pakhtunkhwa with an aim to reclaim Pashtun areas unjustly divided on both sides of Durand line. On the other hand, emboldened by Taliban’s takeover of Kabul and its full sp, TTP has become too strong for Pakistan Army and is giving the latter a bloody nose. On the other side, Baloch Freedom Fighters are attacking Pakistan Army with impunity and are aspiring from freedom after years of abject neglect.
In Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), mass protests against Federal Government’s apathy, oppression and neglect are taking place and people have started demanding merger with India. While Pakistan administration as usual tries to project that everything is honky dory, people understand that the security and economic situation is really bad in Pakistan. Only one good thing that remains in Pakistan is the freedom of visual media. Pakistani anchors and participants regularly ‘fry’ the politicians and openly praise India on TV. Just type ‘Pakistan Media on India’ and you will feel proud as an Indian when you hear Pakistanis lavishly lauding India’s economy, international standing, independent foreign policy, education system, technological prowess, achievements in fields of space, science, start-ups, development etc.
There is thus no wonder that students of this medical college in Multan gathered the courage to wave Indian National flag, play vande matram and exhibit Indian Culture well knowing that the endeavour would face criticism. These students showed the maturity to rise above the traditional Pakistani hatred against India and the incident is a vital indicator of peoples’ attitude in Pakistan where the Administration always tried to paint an anti India picture. Sane Pakistani understands that while India has reached new heights of success in every field due to its democratic and secular policies, Pakistan is in deep abyss due to the demonic policies of its leaders which were based on jealousy. Pakistanis are not to be blamed for the mess Pakistan is in. The real culprits are the national leaders who at the behest of Pakistan Army created an edifice of terrorism, hatred and revenge in national policies and education system.
Pakistan Army used Kashmir dream and ‘threat from India’ as planks to stay relevant. In spite of the serious economic crisis, Pakistan Army’s budget is intact and recently it has decided to buy seven more C 130 planes costing around 700 Million US dollars. It spends around 80 crore rupees every year to run proxy war in Kashmir. Now you know why Pakistan is in an economic mess.
Ghar humsayon ka toh khaak na kar saki albatta
tumhari jalai aatish tumhara hi ashiana jala gayi