Awoken Nation

  Introduction The question of whether Kashmiri DNA is fundamentally different from that of Pakistanis is fascinating, but it reflects a deeper issue—our struggles with unity as a nation. While DNA plays no role in determining collective behaviors like unity, other factors, including cultural, historical, and socio-political dynamics, may provide answers. Let’s explore why Kashmir seems to manage unity better and why Pakistan struggles despite shared ethnic and historical ties. Is Kashmiri DNA Unique? Scientifically, Kashmiri DNA is not drastically different from that of Pakistanis. Kashmiris, like many ethnic groups in Pakistan, share genetic similarities due to centuries of migration, intermarriage, and shared ancestry. The diversity in Pakistan—from Punjabis to Sindhis, Pashtuns, and Baloch—also exists in Kashmir. Yet, unity is not dictated by DNA but by shared narratives, cultural pride, and socio-political cohesion. Cultural Pride and Identity Kashmiris have a strong, unified ...

The Competing Narratives in Pakistan As I sit back, pondering the current state of affairs in Pakistan, it feels like we are riding an emotional roller coaster. Right now, there are at least three major narratives competing for control in the country, and each one affects us differently. One is the narrative coming from the government, another is from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and somewhere in between is the army, trying to figure out its own position amidst this chaos. The Boycott of Military Products One key thing stands out: the growing frustration over the boycott of military products. It all started when shots were fired at D-Chowk, a protest site in Islamabad, and Imran Khan questioned, "Why was the bullet fired?" This incident spurred public resentment towards the military, triggering a movement to boycott army-affiliated businesses. People see it as a form of protest, a statement that they're tired of being manipulated by various powerful forces. While the g...

Today, I watched Waqar Malik's most recent video. His words impacted me as he narrated his opinion of the current political situation in Pakistan. What follows is a summary of Waqar's perspective as per his narration. For those interested in watching the complete video (in Urdu), here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbdwh7f7KEw The Growing Chaos in the Establishment Pakistan is experiencing political upheaval. The once unshakable establishment, often referred to as "the company," appears to be on the verge of collapse. Its nerves are frayed, and its grip on the country seems weaker than ever. This sudden change stems from growing public outrage, which has begun to threaten the long-standing dominance of the powers that be. But is this weakness genuine, or is it a calculated retreat to regroup for another blow? Recent remarks by Asad Umar, a figure once thought to be aligned with the establishment, hinted at a shift in perspective. Umar suggested that a de...

Today, I watched Moid Pirzada's recent video. His words left a deep impact on me as he narrated his opinion of the tragic events that unfolded on November 26th, 2024, in Islamabad. What follows is a summary of Moid's perspective, an account that reveals the reality behind the 'sanitized' narratives we’ve been fed. For those interested in watching the complete video (in Urdu), here is the link:  https://youtu.be/Pl8RwNjrKuw A Confession and an Uncomfortable Truth I need to make a confession: if I hadn’t been so deeply connected to Pakistan, I might have believed the official narrative. If I hadn’t lived and worked in Islamabad for years, if I hadn’t roamed its streets and known its people, I might have doubted the events as well. But the truth is, I have lived in this city, each curve of Blue Area, each stretch of Jinnah Avenue. I spent years observing its ebb and flow, its protests, and its celebrations. When they claimed no bullets were fired, when they said there were...

Let me take you on a journey into a world of possibilities. Picture this: you're cruising in a car with no steering wheel or pedals. The car confidently navigates traffic, construction zones, and bustling city streets without a single hitch. This isn’t some distant dream; it’s Tesla’s vision, and the future is closer than you think. I’ve always been fascinated by how innovation disrupts industries, and Tesla is the prime example of a disruptor. At the heart of Tesla’s journey is its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Over the years, FSD evolved from relying on manual coding to an end-to-end neural network capable of learning from millions of video clips. With the launch of version 12.5, Tesla replaced over 300,000 lines of manual code, allowing FSD to grow exponentially without human bottlenecks. The results? Tesla is now on the brink of surpassing human driving capabilities, targeting the second quarter of next year for superhuman performance. The Robo-Taxi Revolution The implica...

The massacre of November 26 haunts me like a shadow that refuses to fade—a day soaked in blood, a tragedy that laid bare the depths of our despair as a nation. It wasn’t just a brutal loss of lives; it was a violent assault on the soul of Pakistan. We are standing at a precipice, teetering between the hope for change and the abyss of chaos. This is not just my story—it is our collective heartbreak, a wound that demands to be felt, shared, and understood before it consumes us entirely. Unmasking the General’s Game Have you ever looked at our military, once a symbol of pride, and wondered how things came to this? I have. It’s painful to say, but those meant to serve and protect us seem to have strayed far from their purpose. You know what’s heartening, though? People are waking up. I’ve seen it with my own eyes—families choosing to cut ties with those complicit in wrongdoings until they abandon these harmful practices. This peaceful social boycott is powerful, and I believe it can ripple...

As I reflect on the unfolding drama in Pakistan, I cannot help but draw comparisons with the strength of other nations' institutions, like the U.S. Supreme Court, which draws its authority from the collective faith of its society and politics. It serves as the ultimate arbiter of disputes, applying logic and historical principles to guide its nation. Sadly, Pakistan's judiciary no longer holds such a place. The dismantling of its credibility began with the infamous Tamizuddin case of 1955 and reached its peak with the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment on October 20, 2024, which left the Supreme Court powerless. Today, no institution can play the role of an impartial referee for our fractured nation. This crisis is not the burden of one political party or leader; it is a collective failure—ours to own and resolve. Yet, as we falter, Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister and now an emblematic figure, stands as a "prisoner of conscience." The term re...

I never quite understood why the United States had such deep-rooted gun laws. To me, the idea of ordinary citizens owning firearms seemed dangerous, chaotic, and unnecessary. However, as I’ve seen events unfold in Pakistan—where citizens often find themselves at the mercy of unchecked power, state tyranny, and lawlessness—I’ve started to understand why the founding fathers of the United States emphasized the importance of the right to bear arms. It was not about encouraging violence but about preserving independence and protecting freedom. The American Founders and Gun Laws The United States was born out of resistance to colonial oppression. When the founding fathers drafted the Constitution in the late 18th century, they knew firsthand what it felt like to live under a government that could strip people of their dignity, wealth, and lives. The Second Amendment, granting citizens the right to bear arms, was their way of ensuring that Americans could defend themselves if such tyranny ev...