As a resident of Pakistan, when I see myself among the people of this country, I feel grateful, though no amount of gratitude seems enough, that it has promised to safeguard our lives, wealth, health, and security. Pakistan, our beloved homeland, was achieved through the sacrifices of millions who gave their lives, left their homes, shed their blood, and dreamed of freedom.
Now, as 78 years have passed, along with the joy of this milestone comes a heavy weight of sorrow, disappointment, and questions. Is this the freedom our elders longed for? Are we truly “free,” or are we slaves in the name of freedom? The truth is, our national condition has become that of a “slave nation.” Our thinking, our choices, our speech, and our way of life have all fallen into the hands of others.
Every year, we celebrate Independence Day, flags are raised, national songs fill the air, but is real freedom hidden behind those flags? The reality is that slavery still exists in our system. Only the rulers change; the commands remain the same. Our education system teaches servitude, hatred, and division. Our media highlights problems but never provides solutions. Our institutions serve the powerful, not the public.
Seventy-eight years later, our economy still lags. Corruption, favoritism, bribery, and incompetence have taken such deep root that despair is growing in the minds of the younger generation. Our rulers have taken the place of masters, not public servants. Here, the honest are punished, and thieves wear the crown.
Speaking about the state of education is like reopening a festering wound. Government schools lack teachers; private institutions have become profit-making businesses. For poor children, education has become a distant dream. In the rural areas of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab, students are still forced to study under trees.
The question then arises: Is this what we call freedom?
In a country where the youth wander in search of jobs, where mothers struggle to get medicine, where teachers weep, where factory workers live like slaves, where journalists disappear for speaking the truth, where women fight for dignity, and where minorities still face danger celebrating freedom seems a privilege reserved only for the ruling class, not the people.
And yet, if we look closely, there are still a few lamps of hope burning in this darkness. Awareness is growing among the younger generation; people have begun to ask questions. Ordinary citizens are starting to recognize the truth. If we choose to reform ourselves, then these very people branded today as a “slave nation” can bring about the greatest change.
People of Pakistan, congratulations on 78 years of “freedom.” But remember this: as long as you walk through life considering yourselves a slave nation, freedom will remain only a dream. This country belongs to you, to your children, and it will only change through your hard work, your knowledge, and your courage. The day will come when we will no longer have to declare ourselves free because we truly will be. Slavery is only a mindset, and breaking it is the only path to real freedom.
پاکستان زندہ باد — عوام پائندہ باد
Your article is a heartfelt yet uncompromising reflection on the state of our nation. It captures both the pride of 78 years of independence and the painful reality of a “slave mindset” that still binds us. I admire how you’ve connected history, sacrifice, and present challenges, while reminding us that real freedom begins with self-reform and collective courage. A powerful call for awareness and action.
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Your article is a heartfelt yet uncompromising reflection on the state of our nation. It captures both the pride of 78 years of independence and the painful reality of a “slave mindset” that still binds us. I admire how you’ve connected history, sacrifice, and present challenges, while reminding us that real freedom begins with self-reform and collective courage. A powerful call for awareness and action.