Social Tolerance and

Cohesion:
A Pakistani Perspective
Junaid Manzoor
Generations affect almost every aspect of human life
from religion to social values, economic independence
to political orientations and from attitudes to social
tolerance and cohesion.

NUST Business School

MBA

3/18/2010
SOCIAL TOLERANCE

Each society carries its own general notions as to what are the ties which bind its members
together. It differs from one society to another depending largely upon the political process and
policy making of the country. Generally social tolerance and cohesion are enforced through
policies, recognition of minorities’ rights and accommodation of many specific traditions,
practices and values. At a basic level it is inculcated through creation of a culture of harmony
and empowerment of individuals and institutions. It is important to note that generations affect
almost every aspect of human life from religion to social values, economic independence to
political orientations and from attitudes to social tolerance and cohesion.

PAKISTANI PERSPECTIVE

Pakistan, since its birth in 1947, has passed through intricate times in one way or another. In
just over 60 years it has witnessed political and societal shifts on large scale. Pakistan’s creation
in 1947 was seen as a sort of liberation for the deprived and underprivileged section of the
society (not only Muslims). People born in those years have spent their childhood in sacrificing,
rebuilding and facing hardships. As they grew older, these events of their formative years and
childhood had made them what they are today. They are one generation. They share similar
values and many more. Later generations had different attitudes and behaviors and thus
formed another set of people. These generations largely impacted the consumer behavior and
attitudes along with the economic, social and personal lives of the people.

THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE:

Currently the majority of Pakistan’s population comprises of youth and teenagers. According to
a survey report more than 50% of the country’s population lies between the ages of 11 and 25.
This is a great opportunity in terms of man power. British Council released a report “British
Council’s Next Generation Report on Pakistan” on November 21, 2009. It says:

Pakistan is in a unique position to tap what is known as a demographic dividend, i.e. a period
when there is a favorable ratio of productive young to old. This ‘window of opportunity’ started
in 1990, and Pakistan has done nothing to substantial to address this over the past twenty
years. This ‘window of opportunity’ closes in 2045, giving the country a little over 35 years to
change course and reap the economic and social potential attached to such an opportunity.

Is this economic and social revival possible for us or not. To answer this question, we need to go
back and look at our previous generations that how did they contribute to the socio-political
and economic life of the country. The 63 year life of Pakistan has been inhabited by 4 different
generations. They coexist at different age levels at this point of time.

1. THE BUILDERS/ CREATORS

Born: 1940-1960
Age: 50-75 years
They were born and raised in a newly formed country that tried to survive and make itself
ready to take part in World affairs. The partition and the initial days of the country still have a
great impact on their minds. They have a natural tendency to build structures and processes for
the society and organizations. They were at the start motivated, enthusiastic and willing to take
risks. However, as said earlier, from the very beginning the society was divided between the
refugees and the hosts. Therefore, they did not share a large number of values and norms with
each other. At start the divisions among the society were not that visible because they were
united for the common goal i-e to work for the development of the newly born state.
Therefore, these children spent their childhood in a very positive way by studying and working
hard day and night. This earned them the name “Builders” of the Nation. As they entered
adulthood, they took active part in politics and other affairs of the government. Even the
Military rule of the 1960s couldn’t shake their ambitions. In midlife their all happy environment
was challenged by an altogether cultural shift or may I call it “cultural confusion” of the 80s.
Even though they were heart broken by seeing the political turmoil in the country but still their
basic values remained unchallenged. Now they are in their elder hood and scenario has
altogether changed for them. They never got what they dreamt of.

2. THE PROGRESSIVE
Born: 1960-1979
Age: 31-50 years
They spent their childhood in an era of progression and political activism. They were
revolutionists and creative. There was a rise in popular narrative in that era which had a
positive impact on their formative years and childhood. As they entered their adulthood, their
values were confronted by a culture that was outside to our environment. The rise of
Kalashnikov culture directly challenged their existing philosophy of life. Some fell prey to the
sinister agenda. Their entrance into the midlife was even more demoralizing. They suffered the
aftershocks of the cultural divide that had been created when they were young back in 80s.
They came out to be the biggest sufferers of the damage caused to society by people within
themselves.
 3. THE CONFUSED
Born: 1979-1999
Age: 11-32 years
Perhaps the most desolate and pitiful generation since the creation of Pakistan is the one that is
enjoying its adulthood right now. The reason being their childhood struck with perplexity and
confusion. Since their birth, Pakistan started losing its identity and a new culture was being
enforced that might be Arab but not our own. Systematic Religious manipulation was done
throughout these years and drugs and weapons were common. Some families at that time
resisted this new demon and stayed away from it but not all were that fortunate. Today, they
are the college and university students and we can see a clear liberal/ conservative divide
amongst them. They are the ones who followed the extremes. The moderate became very
liberals and the conservatives turned into hardliners. Both ways this generation is the least
tolerant of the others’ opinions. If the country’s political situation is not favorable today, this
confused generation is yet to come to power. This is the demographic dividend we talked
about. Yes, almost half of the countries’ population belongs to the confused generation who
will be shaping the course of actions for the next 20 to 30 years.

4. THE REBELS
Born: 1999-2021
Age: < 11 years
We may rightly call this the “thirsty for peace” generation. They are continuously witnessing
war inside the country ever since they were born. There was a boom in electronic media
industry after 2000. The penetration of media into every household made the flow of
information easy but the young media didn’t act sensibly in order to not damage the minds of
these young children. Media also brought with it another gift and that was cultural mix. Should
we expect the impact of all these various developments favorable and to our advantage? It is
very much possible that their frustration would lead them to a rebellious attitude. Will they be
defiant from the current values that are being enforced? Will they be more tolerant toward
others’ views and values?
GENERATIONAL GRID

1935-60 1960-79 1979-1999 1999-2021

Events Pakistan’s Resistance Afghan war; Militancy;
creation; politics; rise of Kalashnikov terrorism;
migration; popular narrative culture, drugs, “enlightened
sacrifice religion moderation”
manipulation
Entering Silent
ELDERHOOD (Builders)
Entering Desperate Determined
MIDLIFE (Builders) (Progressive)
Entering Struggling Divergent Colliding
ADULTHOOD (Builders) (Progressive) (Confused)
Entering Builders/ creators Progressive Confused Rejectionists
YOUTH (0-20) of extremism /
Rebels

ON THE WHEEL OF TIME

Let’s take a look at the four Pakistani generations that co-exist today and are shaping the
events in the country. The builders are in their elder hood or one might say they have been
discharged of their duties. The country is at the hands of progressive lot. They still hold their
views very tightly and have survived through the dark ages of Pakistan, 1980s. The confused
generation of Pakistan is entering adult hood and is on the verge of collision. But hold on, this
era of ultra confusion gave birth to a set of people who will in future reject extremism and will
most probably hold a moderate opinion.

Shaping tomorrow’s social mood.

As Builders have reached the retirement age, they will pursue their lives at home. Many will be
frustrated as they lose influence in politics. Their fathers had a broad range of interactions with
people from various religions and sects and they had lived together for a long time. They will be
tolerant towards their children and grand children. They would admit that their grand children
outsmart them in various ways. Progressives will at this age continue to stick together despite
their small differences. They will fortify their social environment and will struggle to get out of
the national crisis as soon as possible. They will face challenge from their younger generation
and will be continuously pressurized by them in order to mould the policies in their favor. The
confused will be entering their midlife in the next 10 years. They will try to develop community
norms based on their preferences therefore, tensions will intensify among them. The carrot and
stick approach will be demonstrated and will be quite effective for their peers. Since they would
be more individualists than their predecessors, they would be more inclined towards their
personal benefits. A ray of hope would arise when ultimately Rebels would start correcting the
impracticality of the confused and the older generations. They would base their regulations on
logic. They would ensure women and minority rights. They would propagate a culture of
tolerance and optimism through the country. This would probably take 30 more years to come.
The focus of this study has been on the formative years and the early childhood of different
generations and how that would affect their personality and ultimately the society. It has,
ultimately, its implications on work place, social life and overall economy of the country.

CONCLUSION

The underlying fact is that the Pakistani society has never been cohesive throughout the years.
Minor disasters and crisis had brought them together for a very small period of time but then
the larger unaddressed issues sprung out of no where and again tussle started to rise. Usually, it
is observed that the Military regimes and dictatorships have severely damaged the social
tolerance and cohesion of the society. Religious and ethnic differences, provincial tussles,
liberal, conservative and right wing, left wing divide each came simultaneously during the 1980s
age of utter confusion. On the other hand, democracies tend to dilute the differences and
enforce social cohesion. The rights of women and minorities in specific and all the citizens in
general are protected through legislation. Civics and citizenship education are brought into the
lime light. Discussions on social issues are frequently carried out. Social sciences gain
importance and the idea of what it means to be a citizen is enhanced.

A Way Forward

A national identity can be formed through basic level education and schools. For that matter,
political stability must be brought into the country as it is a proven fact that differences tend to
emerge quickly when the federation gets weak. The reason being the sense of insecurity felt by
every person and for that matter they try to protect them by tying themselves to a particular
pseudo-tribe rather than coming under the umbrella of a larger national identity.
References:

www.gallup.com.pk

http://international.metropolis.net/research-policy/social/chapt6_e.html

http://www.aare.edu.au/02pap/pri02553.htm

British Council’s Next Generation Report on Pakistan- British Council website

Dr Robert Carbines, Dr Tim Wyatt, Ms Leone Robb “Encouraging Tolerance and Social Cohesion
through School Education”

http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-9818.html