PHOTO: REUTERS
The legendary Pashto poet and mental, Ghani Khan, stated that individuals with little knowledge and information all the time sought the justification for all the pieces in faith. He stated that such lesser mortals twist faith to reply intellectually difficult questions. In Pakistan, the default clarification for any distress is a international conspiracy. When individuals can not wrap their heads round one thing and science is rarely the go-to clarification, the simple manner out is opted.
In Pakistan, the massive problem of constructing ends meet doesn’t spare a lot time and vitality for almost all to have the luxurious of figuring out that Covid-19 can kill them. What’s worse is that such individuals are all the time looking out for a simple scapegoat behind any bother. Their mindset is the proper host for the virus of conspiracy theories.
The idea in conspiracy theories will be extra deadly than Covid-19. As a result of whereas the eye is being given to the virus as lethal, the go-to-conspiracy-theory perspective will not be seen as a illness. It’s a psychological laziness. It gives a simple scapegoat, which our lazy minds simply persuade us to accept. No additional pondering or essential questioning required. Growth! we’ve a solution. Jawab durust hai!
There may be one proven fact about conspiracy theories: they prohibit deep pondering and perception. as a result of a simple perpetrator is discovered and blamed. It’s an superior escape from the tough actuality. And extra importantly, conspiracy theories are fairly entertaining. Sadly, this has change into the nationwide behavior in Pakistan. There are some robust causes for it. As an example, the polio vaccination drive was utilized by the CIA to search out Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. I personally consider the model advised by the investigative journalist, Seymour Hersh, through which there was no such drive however the official story has that polio episode and that’s what individuals know. The deep-seated suspicion of a international hand behind each misfortune in Pakistan solely additional solidified that fictional polio vaccine story.
The coronavirus scare is not any exception. Many in Pakistan regard it as the identical soiled American playbook. However I would like to know what they suppose the Individuals are attaining with it. As a result of residing in America, I’m carefully watching the abandoned roads, buying malls, faculties and eating places. Houston is the third largest and one of many busiest cities in America the place driving is a nightmare as a result of heavy visitors. But the empty roads current a ghost city look and generate an apocalyptic anxiousness.
Large losses to the financial system around the globe have change into the brand new regular. Each time my cellphone buzzes, there may be some cancellation information. Flights are grounded. Workers are being laid off. Busy vacationer spots have began resembling scenes from Mad Max: Fury Highway. The purpose is America and the remainder of the world exterior Pakistan are additionally paying a heavy worth. Pakistanis consider in conspiracy theories at their very own peril, as a result of the enemy is staring us proper within the eye and our response is that it is a international conspiracy.
My recommendation to Pakistan is that the answer doesn’t lie in touchdown the blame on the doorways of some international hand. And my recommendation to India is that the answer additionally doesn’t lie in consuming cow urine. It lies in not being a lunatic and being extraordinarily cautious. Many mates advised me they noticed households thronging grocery shops with their youngsters as if that is enterprise as standard. Many consider the virus wouldn’t contact them inside a mosque. We have now a chance to alter the course of historical past simply by sitting at house. Allow us to not smash it and please assist as a lot as you’ll be able to with these round you who can go hungry in the event that they don’t exit for work. This can be a check of our character greater than our immune system.
Printed in The Specific Tribune, March 26th, 2020.
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