The genius of one man led to the atom bomb. Intelligence can be destructive. Nations are built on a healthy combination of intellect and wisdom. If there is an imbalance, it should always be in favour of wisdom, never intellect. Yet, in our journey, we often appear to be devoid of both. Rationality and moderation have all but been jettisoned from our behaviour.

A biblical thought reminds us that if you have sown the wind, be prepared to reap the whirlwind. We continue repeating past mistakes and singing the praises of our failures.

Our Founding Fathers clearly had a vision of carving a nation-state out of the subcontinent. There is no reason to doubt that they understood how it was to be governed, managed and administered. The speech of our Quaid, delivered three days before independence, set out his vision in unambiguous terms. He was clear and candid about Pakistan's tryst with destiny. However, his departure, followed by the untimely loss of other senior leaders—one through assassination—left the country at the mercy of incompetent and indecisive individuals. The opportunity far exceeded their abilities, virtues, and preparedness. Consequently, we lost the plan. The nation, quite literally, lost its marbles.

Isn't 79 years long enough to stop hiding behind the façade of growth that........

© The Nation