What comes to our mind when we think of the word “wild”? It’s quite normal for images of forests and their inhabitants—lions, tigers, crocodiles, and other animals—to emerge. Similarly, when we hear the word “civilization,” it’s natural to prioritize human society, which is supposed to represent order, structure, and an organized way of living.
Media has played a significant role in shaping these associations. Television channels often show scenes of wildlife in action: lions attacking elephants, tigers hunting zebras, or elephants toppling trees for food. These portrayals create an illusion—and a somewhat realistic one—that wildlife is inherently about survival and chaos. On the other hand, well-organized state events with suited individuals attending formal gatherings create a contrasting image of civilization as refined and orderly. But is this distinction fair? Is human civilization truly more ethical and dignified than the natural order of the wild?
Nature operates on an inherent code of conduct. It sets boundaries, principles, and moral values that govern all beings, big and small. For instance, a lion, once its hunger is sated, does not hunt unnecessarily. It respects the natural balance. In contrast, humans, despite their wisdom and countless resources, often fail to uphold even the basic principles of this natural code. In Pakistan, recent events have starkly exposed the moral decay within its so-called “civilized” institutions. The figure at the helm of the nation’s defense forces, wielding immense power, has become a symbol of unchecked dominance. Under this leadership, the military—an institution meant to protect the nation—has engaged in actions that echo tyranny and brutality.
Birds, when in danger, look out for each other’s nests and eggs. When a fledgling falls, the entire forest seems to rally in moral support. Yet in human society, individuals who dare to disagree with the powerful are abducted in broad daylight. Professors, activists, and political workers have been dragged from their homes, humiliated in front of their families, and detained without legal authority. In one instance, a professor who returned to serve his nation was subjected to unspeakable torture—electric shocks to his genitals—for merely expressing dissent.
When a weaver bird’s nest falls into a stream, the fish do not reject it but instead accept it as part of their habitat. This shows tolerance and coexistence in nature. In stark contrast, the powerful in Pakistan, fueled by jealousy and ego, cannot tolerate the rise of their political “neighbors.” They resort to extreme measures to suppress them, deploying hidden cameras to blackmail opponents with private footage, violating not just privacy but the fundamental dignity of individuals.
During disasters, even natural enemies—like squirrels, snakes, goats, and tigers—can coexist peacefully, prioritizing survival over conflict. Yet, in Pakistan, the military has crossed all limits of brutality. Political workers are taken in front of their children, leaving them traumatized. One such incident involved a 10-year-old boy who witnessed his father’s abduction and spent months in mental anguish before passing away. His father, still in custody, was not allowed to attend the child’s funeral freely and was brought in darbs, further showcasing the inhumanity of those in power. Even lions, the kings of the wild, do not hunt beyond their needs, but the powerful exploit their position to destroy lives, families, and the social fabric of the nation.
The natural world offers profound lessons in dignity and cooperation. Birds protect their young, fish embrace their neighbors, and predators abstain from conflict during crises. These behaviors symbolize a level of moral standing that human society, particularly its power structures, seems to lack. In times of calamity, even enemies in the wild understand the importance of unity. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the powerful act out of greed and malice, deploying resources to suppress dissent rather than uplift the nation.
It is time for the powerful to introspect. Those who hold the reins of authority in the country must reconsider their actions and moral standing. Power without dignity is hollow. Even animals understand the importance of balance and restraint; why can’t humans? We do not demand profound wisdom or idealistic governance from the powerful. We ask only that they behave with the basic dignity of a lion, the empathy of a bird, or the tolerance of a fish. Let the rule of the forest—a metaphor for natural justice and fairness—prevail in our beloved Pakistan.