What does a symbol mean? A country's symbol is meant to be a visual representation of its essence, showing what it is, where it came from, and where it wants to go.
Pakistan has had a beautiful sign as its national emblem for 70 years. But as the country makes its way into the 21st century, an important question arises: does this beloved symbol really represent Pakistan today?
This symbol was designed with care to show the pillars this fledgling Pakistan stands on. The star and crescent at the top make it clear that Islam is the most significant religion. A wreath of jasmine -- the national flower -- goes around the middle shield: this represents the country's beauty and strong cultural roots. At the bottom, a scroll features the words of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the country: "Faith, Unity, Discipline”.
The shield itself is the main problem; it is made up of four parts. The goal of each quadrant was to show off the country's agricultural base. Two of them feature cotton and wheat, which are still quite important to Pakistan's economy. The other two, on the other hand, feature tea and jute. These were the principal crops grown in East Pakistan, which became the independent country of Bangladesh after the war of 1971.
The insignia was suddenly speaking a half-truth. Pakistan's official state seal has had two key crops on it for more than 50 years, yet the country hardly farms them now. This is what the discussion is about right now.
The case for reforms is straightforward: a national emblem ought to represent reality. Maintaining jute and tea is like showing the world, and our own people, a picture that is no longer true. People who seek an update say that these should be replaced with crops that are important to modern Pakistan. Why not rice, which is a huge export? Or sugarcane, which is the main source of energy for a large industry in the country? They say that these modifications would give a more accurate representation of the country's agricultural foundation.
Some people wish to go even further. They think that the symbol might be updated to honour Pakistan's other accomplishments, even while farming is vital. Maybe a sign of its growing IT industry, its industrial expansion, or its investments in clean energy. This could essentially work both ways: respect the past while also moving forward to the future.
But there is a strong argument for keeping the insignia as it is. For a lot of people, altering it seems like attempting to alter the past. They say that the logo is a time capsule, a powerful reminder of Pakistan's original topography, and an important part of its history. From this point of view, replacing the jute and tea would not only be an update; it would also erase a sad but important aspect of the country's history. It is history, and you can't just change it.
But history is never really set in stone. Countries change, and the way people talk about their symbols needs to change too. Changing the insignia doesn't imply forgetting about the past. Instead, it may be considered as a symbol of Pakistan's strength and a proof of how strong it is right now. It might be a source of fresh pride if the emblem shown in official buildings and on passports represents the Pakistan of today.
The insignia is a valued part of our national identity and will always be. The fundamental question isn't whether or not we should toss away our heritage, but how we should move forward with it. Should we save it as a historical record that tells the tale of where we come from? Or should we let it change so it shows the world who we are now and who we want to be?
The author is the principal of Future World School with 25 years of experience in the education sectors of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
