Superman Elseworlds: 'In the Name of...'

Chapter 9: Odyssey (part 5)

Clark Kent – online submission on the Daily Star news site

There is, to put it politely, a quirk about the current state of Pakistani society: there is pretence of hating acts of violence that are directed against populations and peoples of its own faith and ideology, but there is, it seems, no hesitance in using those same acts of violence, generously and copiously, against its own people.

In the short time I have been wandering this otherwise beautiful country there are a few things that have become apparent:

- The civilising influence of education has been stymied. Where once there was the desire to use education to bring the country up in a unified way, now the focus is more on the individual and what they can do for themselves.

- There is a revival of the barbaric methods of old. Where once they had been countered and overcome by the laws of religion, now there is a kind of arrogance that has been nurtured by feudal mentalities and traditions.

As an outsider looking in, my view will likely be readily dismissed. While it's true that my upbringing might be considered sheltered, having grown up on a farm hours away from the nearest city, there are still certain things – certain wrongs – that are quite apparent across the spectrum, within the cities and towns, and down to the small villages tucked away here and there.

While there is outrage expressed at the burning of buildings in Iraq, some of those same 'outraged' people will readily to the same to people here.

While disdain is expressed at the Western practice of placing parents and other elderly relatives in the old peoples' home, some of those expressing such disdain are disrespectful and even abusive towards their own parents and elderly relatives.

In my brief wanderings so far, I have come across people torturing others and torturing others in the presence of their families. I have come across people gladly – and it is a disservice to say this, but – even animalistically set about bringing public humiliation and dishonour to women.

My colleagues – my travel buddies – have told me that this isn't something exclusive to this part of the world. One has even said that, in America, someone (usually a woman) is sexually assaulted every two minutes. I could see in their eyes how saddened my shock made them feel, but it begs the question: if this is the state of mankind across the planet then where is the humanity that keeps being touted and praised?

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(Extracted and Transcribed from George Taylor's audio notes)

Kirthar is something quite special. A lot of things in Pakistan are, and it's such a shame that the potential of the country is squandered by those who, frankly, should know better. I remember the first time I went to Murree – a hilly region near Islamabad. To the north of it are the slopes of the Western Himalayas, and the Tudorbethan architecture is quite a surprising sight for many people from the Western world. Years ago, the British set it up as a sanatorium for their troops garrisoned over at the Afghan border. I know Sam would be surprised to know that there are churches in the town, and that they're still used as churches. Actually, no, he wouldn't be surprised...he just wouldn't believe me if I told him.

Anyway, plus points about Murree – even though it's about a thousand miles away from Kirthar – are the views. They're breathtaking. I'm not much of a romantic, but even I could see why this place had such an appeal to visitors from all over Europe back in the day. The way it sometimes seemed as if you were stepping into clouds as you were walking; being able to see the mountains of Kashmir...and the irony, to me, was that it reminded me of Milford Sound over in New Zealand. As I stood there I just wondered how it was that a place as gorgeous as this was basically now 'off the maps' for most of those who want to see the world. How it was that such sights were going to be unseen by so many...