ISLAMABAD: With a new year ahead of us and a year gone by with all its highs and lows, The Express Tribune talks to people on how they saw 2014 and what they expect this year.
I see a peaceful 2015 for Pakistan with the hope that the highest number of children is enrolled in schools.
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Balighur Rehman
I wish the government allots a separate area to hold protests in 2015 so that we do not have to close our business.
Shopkeeper at Aabpara Market, Arbab Kareem
There should more interaction between people from different sects and religions, but in a social setting and not in a serious religious debate. I want to see more people cycling and more people going on hikes.
Researcher, Saman Shah
2014 left us with deep wounds that will be healed only if we learn from our deliberate misdeeds and stop deceiving ourselves and others.
Educationist and development expert, Dr Nazir Mehmood
2014 leaves me sad and dejected. The Peshawar school carnage has broken something inside me which is irreparable. Besides, what bites me is the smug indifference of the elite towards problems of the working class. However, being an incorrigible optimist, I’m sure we will prevail.
Writer and poet, Haris Khalique
People can bring change by electing the right people. We should start asking questions from our elected representatives about the exercise of their duties.
Principal of a government college, Shahid Anwar
Our state institutions are weak and the political leadership is hoodwinking the masses. This is the time for us to stand together against the common enemy and restore peace.
Mechanic in Saddar Cantt, Irfan Muhammad
We want to introduce community policing, security and vigilance committees and registration of owners and tenets record at police stations in the coming year. Terrorism can be defeated with the help of community policing and Mohalla committees.
SSP Operations Asmatullah Junejo
People should keep a vigilant eye on their surroundings and should inform the police about any unusual activity nearby in order to restore peace.
Shopkeeper, Muhammad Salman
We have had enough bloodshed in 2014. We should work to making Pakistan polio-free in 2015.
Medical student, Sana Ishtiaq
I want to see container-free Islamabad in 2015.
Taxi driver, Mehboobul Haq
Instead of awakening us from our collective amnesia to seek the morass within, the blood-dimmed tide of terrorism has pushed us more into a cocoon of disillusion. May 2015 give us courage to acknowledge the existence of evil within and broaden our mental horizons to tackle the existential threat.
Columnist and intellectual, Aziz Ali Dad
The year has been about tumult, chaos and tragedy. Democracy has only precariously survived the year and continues to 2015 on wobbly legs. The vulnerability of our internal security apparatus has been exposed and as a nation we embrace the new year with a wounded and heavy heart. But we also enter 2015 with a unified resolve against terrorism. Let us put aside political differences as well and work towards a saner, more secure and democratic Pakistan for the sake of our children.
Chartered Accountant and columnist, Khayam Mushir
In 2015 we must vie for an all-inclusive multi-cultural society where Article 25 on equal citizenry is vigorously pursued. We must also keep the pressure up for good governance, respect for rule of law, ensure across-the-board punishment for every violator of the law, and keep raising our voice for the accountability of all the civilian-military ruling elites.
Writer and journalist, Imtiaz Gul
I would like to see activities which encourage dialogue between the people on different issues and topics, especially people from different communities, religious backgrounds, ethnicities and socio-economic groups.
Social media entrepreneur Saad Hamid
There should be festivals in the city that make children of the less fortunate feel the same way as those of the more fortunate. I want our city to promote harmony among children of all backgrounds and I will ensure that we have such events from 2015 on.
Thali CEO, Zoone Hasan
About to leave 2014 with some beautiful happy moments and some dark hours. We should enter 2015 standing tall and united with courage and resolve to grow strong happy and prosperous.
Student of strategic and nuclear studies at National Defence University, Waqas Malik
In 2015, we can confront a civil war like situation with signs of destabalisation of society, anarchism and mushroom growth of skeptical youth. For me 2014 was a black spot, studded with concocted hope of peace.
Writer, Ashfaq Saleem Mirza
I’d like activities that will put more pressure on the government to change the cleric at Lal Masjid since I feel that it will send out a positive message.
Doctor, Khizer Hussain
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2014.