Sixty-three years ago when Pakistan came into being, the economic and political conditions in the country were difficult. Yet, the people had the confidence and resolve to survive with dignity and honour. Hopes were high and there was optimism in the entire nation and we did surmount those difficulties. Pakistan was created on a collective promise and resolve of Muslims for the establishment of a society based on Islamic laws and codes, and Divine assistance came our way, despite all opposition. The land was able to absorb millions of refugees and there was abundance of provisions. Despite immense difficulties, there was no confusion, panic and fear among the people. There was safety and tranquillity and peace in the country. That has gradually changed and today we live in constant fear of bomb blasts and dearth of the amenities of life. We have witnessed long lines of people waiting for a kilo of sugar or a bag of flour; women and old people running after trucks with waving hands and scuffling with each other. There is a lingering fear for life and scarcity throughout the country. No one has analysed why Pakistan, a country so well provided, has plunged into such dire conditions that the whole populace has lost hope, is living in a state of fear, hunger and suffering from pessimism. We tend to search the causes in external circumstances and do not realise that external conditions are the result of created due to our own actions and collective conduct. This article is an effort to determine the internal causes and its remedy. The answer is given in the figures 16:112. These figures refer to Al-Quran, Chapter 16, Sura al-Nahl, verse 112. It reads: Allah sets forth a Parable: A city enjoying security and quiet, abundantly supplied with sustenance from every place; yet it was ungrateful for the favours of Allah: so Allah made it taste of hunger and terror in extreme closing on it like a garment from every side because of the (evil), which its people wrought. The word used in Arabic for city is qarya, which has vast meanings and is applicable to a dwelling, a city, a region, a populace or a country. Abdullah Yusuf Ali, in his commentary on this verse, opines that the reference may be to any of the cities or populations in ancient or modern times, which were favoured with security and other blessings from Allah, but which rebelled from Allahs law and tasted the inevitable penalty, even in the midst of their iniquities. Pragmatically speaking, this parable fits Pakistan entirely. Pakistan came into existence riding on a religious tide culminating in a definite slogan - Pakistan ka matlab kia, La ilaha ilallah; it was a covenant with Allah that this country that we seek will follow the laws ordained by the Almighty as dictated to us in His Book and by His Messenger (PBUH). Despite all odds and opposition, Allah created conditions for the establishment of Pakistan, a country that we had asked for. When He grants the believers authority and rule in a land, He desires from them that they will rule, judge and conduct the affairs of the state according to His book and commandments (Al-Quran:5: 43-48). The covenant that we made had one main aim that we will establish the rule according to the Book and the conduct of the Prophet (PBUH). It implied that we will, one, establish and follow the laws of the book; two, establish justice and fair play in conduct; and three, establish and practise social, political and economic equality. Did we line up to the covenant that we made? Though the Objective Resolution claims and promises that the laws of Pakistan will be brought in conformity to the Quran and Sunnah, practically very little has been done; we still follow and conduct the affairs of the state by the Anglo-Saxon laws that the British left. We do have an Islamic Ideological Council and a Sharia Court, but they have failed to make any progress. The ideological council is bogged down in the sectarian fiqahs, and is unable to make any progress. We collectively ignore that fiqahs came later; these are follow-up explanations for the application of law in a given circumstance and merely express opinions. Those who established these, were men of character and were good scholars, but they cannot and do not amend, modify or add to the commandments of Allah contained in his Book or the conduct of the Prophet (PBUH). This council has failed to achieve the aim set forth for it. The laws brought in conformity with the Book and Sunnah like the Hudood are being mishandled by the police and judiciary; and mocked by the so-called enlightened moderates as was evident from the blitz that was unleashed against these laws on our media some time back. Allah is wary of those who mock his commandments and promises them hellfire. And when he learns something of Our Signs, he takes them in jest: For such there will be a humiliating Chastisement, (Al-Quran, 45:9). In 63 years of our existence in the God-given land, we have failed to fulfil our promise and collectively we look for excuses to wriggle out of it. This amounts to making fun at the Divine commandments. Our justice system has not only deteriorated, it has become non-existent. Justice is the domain of the rich and the powerful; the poor and destitute rot for years in their quest to seek and obtain justice. Our procedures are so complicated and costly that an ordinary person in spite of being right cannot obtain a fair judgment. The courts, the solicitors and police make justice something that gets out of the reach. The rich and powerful go free as was witnessed in Muhktaran Mais case. The establishment of justice is emphasised in the Quran. And when ye judge between people that ye judge with justice, and if ye decline to do justice verily Allah is well acquainted with that ye do (Al-Quran 4:58 and135). Here too we have failed and not tried to abide by His directions. Successive governments and administrations have failed to bring about economic and political equality. The rich have become richer and poor have further fallen in poverty; the same class of people has ruled Pakistan throughout whether it was a military rule or civilian setup. Dispassionately judged, we have failed over the past 63 years to accomplish what we had promised. This failure is not accidental; it is intentional as our conduct has demonstrated over the years. We deliberately sought ways and still seek the means to avoid the path set forth for us in the Quran and Sunnah. Allah wants absolute and unconditional obedience to Him and His Prophet (PBUH) (47:33), and does not tolerate those who transgress for long, but He does not impose His punishment in haste. He provides time for reversion and in that time sends His warnings to the people who disobey Him, although it is easy for him to bring another people in place of those who disobey. He has no need of us, we need Him. ..And it is ye that are needy, if ye turn back (from the Path) He will substitute in your stead another people. (47:38), and this is easy for Him because He has the power over it (4:133). We in Pakistan have been and are receiving His warning signs. We lost half the country in 1971 and suffered a humiliating defeat, yet the nation remained indifferent, absorbed that disgrace and did not affect any change in attitude and behaviour. We have suffered huge losses in human life and property due to floods and earthquakes, even these signs did not make us see the direction. Now Allahs final warning before His punishment is in place for us to see. And when We decide to destroy a qarya. We command those among them who are given the good things of this life (to be obedient), but they continue to transgress; so that the word is proved true against them; then We destroy them utterly (17: 16). The people imposed upon us as our ruler fall in the category of those who transgress. They are indulging in plunder of the nation; their personal and political conduct needs no elaboration; they lie to the masses they rule and they are assisting and aiding the anti-Islamic forces and have become those whom Allah describes as 'unjust (5:51). But we are indifferent and unconcerned. The only nation that was spared from the wrath of Allah and His punishment is the Nation of Prophet Jonah (Yunus). When they saw the clouds of punishment they realised their folly, came out collectively and confessed their sins. Allah in His mercy forgave them and lifted the punishment from them. The dark clouds of His wrath are already upon us and we do not realise the predicament we are faced with. Our salvation too lies in the way that Jonahs nation adopted. We should come out collectively and beg His mercy and resolve to revert back to the Path He has ordained for us and obey unconditionally and in totality His commandments. It is for us as a nation to decide which way we want to go - towards salvation or destruction. The chaos, the fear, the hunger and uncertainty facing us as described in 16:112 is due to our own ungratefulness, conduct and deeds of 'evil that we have committed and still indulge in. The writer is a retired brigadier. Email: arjerral1939@hotmail.com