The title “people with a purpose” might appear strange and yet interesting. The purpose is to initiate a debate on the subject by posing a few questions, like: who are they, where are they, when do they appear, and how do we find them? These are some of the questions that every living being wonders about but perhaps cannot express or does not have enough reason to discuss.
Through this short article, I intend to initiate a debate on the subject of great significance, because the Creator created the universe and the living beings in it, particularly the human beings, with a purpose. Likewise, the Creator sent His Messengers with a universal message to invite people to a Rightly Guided Path, and perfect their character through examples set by the Prophets themselves.
However, in worldly affairs, we often confuse purpose with interests, especially when it comes to the affairs of the state. And start to hide behind interests, sidelining the purpose.
Therefore, for me, sincerity of purpose is more important than protecting interests. To understand the difference, it is necessary that we understand what we are looking at and looking for.
In my opinion, the interests, an outcome of the core precepts of realism, may have several angles, which may not always be in line with the purpose. Hence, Interests have several connotations. For instance, national interests have several layers within the broad framework of interest. Likewise, the public interest has its own significance, which cannot be overemphasised. Another avenue of interest is referred to as regime interests, and at times it may overshadow all or some of the other shades of interests.
The national interest, which remains the focus of the realist paradigm, could be for national development and survival.
The national interest, which remains the focus of the realist paradigm, could be for national development and survival; however, it remains to be seen who defines it. The national interests are often manipulated by the political elite to align with their own interests and hence may ignore the purpose which had to be of paramount significance.
Likewise, public interests usually focus on people’s wellbeing; however, it also gets exploited because of the elite’s exploitation of people’s needs.
Finally, the regime’s interests may overshadow all other forms of interests, because no political party or leader wants to do away with the power that he or she has acquired, either through the ballot or the bullet.
Therefore, interests may not be a true precursor to evaluating the people with a purpose. Moreover, interests are often agenda-based and hence contested. Interests may not always serve the people or even compromise the state’s intended goals.
In my opinion, all forms of interest should be made subservient to the purpose for which the state was created or built. Unfortunately, decolonisation of the majority of the states has not really happened even after the passage of over fifty years in some cases, and therefore, the colonial empires have ensured that the regimes align with their interests and the purpose of the state.
Back to the questions I raised in the beginning. How do the developing states find people with a purpose? Perhaps by fully becoming independent. How do we get fully independent in this globalised international system based on interdependence, deliberately designed by the few world powers? Perhaps by educating the people and keeping the public interests as supreme over all other forms of the state.
How would that be even possible? Perhaps by holding free, fair, and transparent elections to elect people who clearly define their purpose for acquiring power. This may sound idealistic; however, it is certainly doable. There are numerous examples where one person or a group of a few were able to turn the country into a success story.
I am deliberately avoiding the names of those individuals who are remembered for good deeds for their people and the state. But that is also with a purpose because I do not want to alienate my readers who might think I am promoting or projecting a certain ideology or a region.
Moreover, success does not always lie in economic progress or military prowess. It lies in people’s hearts and minds. It lies in the achievement of national purpose, practising national values, and protecting public interests. One must remember that one satisfied person is better than ten alienated people in the organisation.
I will call on the national leadership of Pakistan to clearly define the national purpose, national values, and the national interest that are best suited to serve the people and accomplish the national purpose, because “there is no power on this earth which can undo Pakistan,” In Sha Allah.
The writer of this article has authored four international books: Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan, South Asia Needs Hybrid Peace, Understanding Sun Tzu and the Art of Hybrid War, and Diplomacy and Deterrence.
The writer of this article has authored four international books: Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan, South Asia Needs Hybrid Peace, Understanding Sun Tzu and the Art of Hybrid War, and Diplomacy and Deterrence.”