Muhammad Naseem Ranzooryar
Dearreaders, Ah or Wow this is our national story, our collective tragedy. When those who enter the corridors of power gain their seats through rigging, fake votes, and political manipulation, we sigh “Ah!”, yet later chant Wow! in their rallies. Ah, that merit has been buried in this country, justice has been sold, and wow, that we salute the same oppressors as saviors. Ah, that the sweat of the laborer has turned into blood, the farmer’s land has sunk under bank debts, and wow, that the rich celebrate with lights in their palaces. Ah, that the educated youth remain unemployed, wow, that the sons of the influential get ministries and offices. Ah, that the people are crushed under the weight of bills for bread, electricity, and gas, wow, that the rulers share pictures of shopping abroad.
Ah, that inflation has stolen every dining table’s joy, wow, that the finance minister sells dreams of growth. Ah, that corruption has hollowed out the system, wow, that we call it political wisdom. Ah, that fear was spread in the name of law and order, wow, that rallies shouted A new Pakistan will be made. Ah, that law is soft for the rich and a noose for the poor, wow, that those who preach justice are lost in VIP protocol. Ah, that institutions are weak, the judiciary controversial, the police political slaves, wow, that they are still called guardians of the system. Ah, that education has become a business, wow, that degree merchants pose as professors. Ah, that healthcare is a dream for the poor, wow, that foreign treatment is routine for the rich. Ah, that journalism has been sold to the highest bidder, wow, that the same anchors are called national leaders.
Ah, that when the people protest, they face bullets, wow, that politicians use their blood as proof of popularity. Ah, that religion was turned into a political weapon, wow, that we proudly chant their slogans. Ah, that morality has died, wow, that deceit and hypocrisy are called intelligence. Ah, that those seeking justice on the streets are branded criminals in police stations, wow, that the killers on chairs make laws in parliament.
Ah, that the daughter’s honor is unsafe, the son’s future dark, wow, that the rulers’ children live secure abroad. Ah, that promises were never kept, wow, that we still fall for the same promises in every election. Ah, that lies are called truth, wow, that truth-tellers are branded traitors. Ah, that tongues are silenced by fear, wow, that the pens of flatterers sing songs of power. Ah, that public trust has broken, wow, that rulers’ speeches wear the mask of hope. Ah, that we endure every wound in silence, wow, that they count every wound as a success. Ah, that the country is drowning in debt, wow, that the finance minister celebrates new aid as good news.
Ah, that we die a little every day, wow, that they say “the economy is on the right track.” Ah, that consciences are auctioned, wow, that the bidders decide the nation’s fate. Ah, that the people weep, wow, that laughter echoes in the halls of power. Ah, that we await change, wow, that the same faces return with new promises.
Ah, that we ask for justice, wow, that they give us slogans. Ah, that we ask for jobs, wow, that they give us speeches. Ah, that we seek peace, wow, that they sell us dreams. Ah, that we want truth, wow, that they feed us lies. Ah, that we yearn for freedom, wow, that they forge new chains.
Ah, that our patience became our crime, wow, that their oppression became their politics. Ah, that this nation was born from a great dream, wow, that the dream turned into a bitter tale. Ah, that we sacrificed, wow, that they seized power. Ah, that we drown in despair, wow, that they light lamps of hope for their photos. Ah, that we stand in lines for bread, wow, that they pass in motorcades. Ah, that we demand justice, wow, that they mock the courts. Ah, that we vote for change, wow, that they rig the vote. Ah, that we die silently, wow, that they shout Long live! Ah, that we burn in the ashes of despair, wow, that they harvest votes with slogans of hope. Ah, that we question, wow, that they accuse. Ah, that we break, wow, that they win. Ah, that we cry, wow, that they celebrate. Ah, that our homeland bleeds, wow, that they revel in the intoxication of power.
Ah, that history repeats itself, wow, that we still do not change. Ah or Wow we are a living nation, yet numb; aware, yet inactive; hopeful, yet idle. Ah, that those who rose against oppression grew weary, wow, that the oppressors grew stronger. Ah, that we dream, wow, that they steal our dreams. Ah, that we are being destroyed, wow, that they boast of progress. Ah, that we live in the shadows of slavery, wow, that they tell us tales of freedom. Ah, that we watch our own ruin, wow, that they direct the spectacle.This is the story of Pakistan the Ah of the people, and the. Wow of the rulers.
