Dr Abdus Salam

He is the first Pakistani Nobel Laureate and only theoretical physicist, who was sidelined and shunned because of his faith as he was an Ahamadi. His magnificent achievement was the discovery of grand unification theory of strong, weak and electromagnetic fields opened the gateway for the discovery of bosons and laid down the basis for this quantum electrodynamics project. His discover of ‘God Particles’ was one of the greatest achievements in 100 years of science but as the world applauded him, Pakistanis remained silent. And how did we Pakistani nation honor him? By disowning him for his faith as Ahmadis were declared non-Muslims in 1974 as part of Zia’s Islamization, and not taking pride in his achievement. He was even given a warm welcome in Bangladesh and India but not in Pakistan. The initials on the epitaph of his tomb read First Muslim Nobel Laureate”, which was later removed and made ‘First Nobel Laureate.’

Malala Yousafzai

A school girl who was shot because of her passion to pursue education and advocating right of girls to get education became a youngest Nobel Laureate in the world. Since she has received the Nobel Prize, she has become a controversial figure within Pakistan but seen as a heroic survivor and fighter by the world. She has been called shameful and traitorous. Her shooting is often believed to be staged by Pakistani masses. She has faced regular criticism on social media by Pakistanis but the world worships her. In July, 2014 ministry of finance signed an agreement with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation and under this $7 million from the Malala Fund were to be spent on an education project with a focus on remote areas of the country.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

She made history by bagging two Oscars and becoming first Pakistani to take this award to her name. She made two documentaries ‘Saving Face’ and ‘A girl in the River’ on the issues of acid attack and its survivors and honor killing in Pakistan. She felt out of duty to make raise the awareness and attention. After her win for A Girl in the River, a previously stalled “honour” killing bill was passed in Pakistan and the girl Saba on whose struggle it was made was granted asylum in Switzerland. When the whole world stood to congratulate her for the achievement, Pakistanis flooded social media with hateful by calling her traitor and criticizing her work not realizing that Pakistani society is actually discriminating against women and no actions are taken to stop it.

Mukhtar Mai

Supreme Court’s verdict on Mukhtara Mai’s case was nothing but an utter disappointment because 5 out of 6 people involved in her rape case were given clean sheet. Mukhtar Mai, a 30 years old woman, from Meerawala village in southern Punjab, was gang raped on the orders of local Jirga and made to parade naked on the streets as a punishment of a crime she did not commit. Nine years of trials, number of appeals and many threats on her life, Mai was let down by the justice system in Pakistan where women are discriminated repeatedly, she emerged as a symbol of courage and defiance for the world.

Most Pakistani societies generally fail to recognize their heroes because of narrow-mindedness, lack of factual information or maybe just because of boredom or being idle. Those Pakistanis who are heroes for the world and appreciated for their work are disowned by their own people. Their religion, sect or caste should not be measure to judge them, but their work and efforts. Problems cannot be solved if they are not highlighted. Countering a narrative is as important as building a new one.

Be an Ahmedi, Abdul Salam was a Pakistani and made Pakistan’s flag stand tall. He is one of the only scientist that made Pakistan known because of them.

What happened to Malala and how she managed to reach where she is does not matter. What matters is that she has a green passport, is working for the girl’s education in the same area where she was shot and is a global figure for girl’s education. For those who think girls education is not a problem in Pakistan needs to step out of Central-Punjab and Karachi to the suburbs of South Punjab, KPK and Baluchistan.

Many are showing to the world the positive image of Pakistan; we think so are we (Humans of Pakistan). However, this is a preventive measure; problems cannot be solved unless they are identified as problems and shared with the larger group. Do we really think women are not oppressed in our country? Don’t go far! look at the relationship between both your own parents, who cooks and serves you in your room and then take back the plates to kitchen? Who needs protection while going to the market or to a friend’s house? Your brother or you sister?

Pakistani nation must rise above all discrimination and differences. We must start honoring our heroes and give courage to other fellows to rise and make us proud in the world.