Responsibilities Of a Good Citizen

              Before we discuss what a good citizen owes to society, let us see, what society does for him. Thousands of years ago, men lived in caves like animals. Each one of them lived by himself and for himself. They hunted for their food and lived hard lives. We now call them savages. At first, they began to live in families and then in tribes. Later, they settled along the banks of rivers where, in time, grew towns, large and small. Life became easier. Some men began farming the land. Some became weavers, some masons, some cobblers and some soldiers. They all worked for one another.

                As societies grew larger and as men became more civilized, many more professions and occupations developed. Laws were made to make life safer and happier. Today we have doctors, teachers engineers, artists, writers, policemen and a host of other workers, who all do something for their fellow men.

                If we just think for a few minutes, how many things and services we use in one day, we shall realize how much we owe to society. The milkman brings milk for us and keeps cattle for the benefit of us all; the driver drives the bus in which we go to school or our place of work; and the workers and the engineers run the mill, which weaves the cloth we wear. The teacher teaches the pupils at the school, the doctors treats the sick and the shopkeeper sells articles of daily use. Public parks are maintained for the benefit of a citizen. The traffic police regulates the traffic so that we may travel without any fear of accident.

                We just turn on the tap and fresh water flows out. We press a switch and light comes on. The cleaning of a streets and the removal of filth and garbage are possible, only in an organized society. The telegraph, the telephone and the trains are all benefits of collective efforts. Then, the radio and the television gives us both enjoyment and instruction.

               

                We must repay society for all these gifts. If a milkman mixes water in milk, how can he expect other members of society to treat him fearly? If a shopkeeper gives short measure or sell sub-standard goods, he must be prepared to get the same kind of treatment from others. If we ignore traffic rules, we not only endanger the lives of others but our own as well.

                It is also the duty of every citizen to understand the problems facing his country. He must co-operate with the government in solving them. Problems facing Pakistan are poverty, illiteracy and population growth. For the establishment of a better society, these problems have to be solved though education and hard work.

                

                The government of Pakistan has started many programmes to solve these problems. These are, for example, programmes for rural development, literacy and adult education, health, sanitation and social welfare, and population planning. Education counters, family and social welfare and population centre have been set up throughout the country.  

                

                 Many benefits we enjoy are provided by our own country and society. It is, therefore, our duty to be loyal and patriotic to Pakistan. We should pay our taxes promptly, fully and honestly, so that we may continue to enjoy all social benefits.

                 

                Islam lays great stress on our duties as citizens. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) once said,”GOD lays so much stress on the rights of inheritance in our property.” In short, we cannot be good Muslims without being good and dutiful citizens.