Citizenship 

As Oprah Winfrey said

                        “Education begins a gentleman, actions complete him." 

A citizen is a person who is a national of his country. Citizenship means "to work for the nation's prosperity. 

It is said: 

        "It doesn't matter how small one is, one can still make a difference". 

That means we should not see that how small a person is but that his contribution can change the standard of education, health facilities and other aspects of society for a better future. A good Pakistani citizen is one who practices laws made by the government and persuades others to follow them too. He is one who not only cares for his own future but also cares for that of his country's and its citizens’. Leaving all aspects behind, a good Pakistani citizen is one who asks for his rights and also practices his responsibilities. 

Rights & responsibilities are two sides of a coin, where one asks for his rights, he is bound to practice the responsibilities that are upon him. I don’t know how many countries actually practice the human rights petition, out of the many that signed it. Pakistan has signed this petition but unfortunately none or very few rights from this petition are being practiced. 

United Declaration of Human Rights says: 

"All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endured with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood".

 Here are some rights and responsibilities all Pakistani citizens have: 

1. We have the right to move freely 
2. We should also give others the chance to move freely. 
3. We have a right to have supply of water 
4. We should not waste water 
5. We have a right to live in a pollution free environment 
6. We should not add to pollution 
7. We have a right to get education 
8. We should allow others to get it also
 9. We should not have a burden of taxes.
10. We should pay taxes. 

To understand what a good citizen is we must first understand the meaning of the word “citizen”. 
                            A citizen is a legal member of a political community and has citizenship. Citizenship is about understanding the rights and responsibilities you have as a member of society and learning how to exercise them. It is about knowing your legal, civil, human rights and responsibilities. 

 To be a good Pakistani citizen we must understand the following rules and fulfill the following responsibilities: 

1:Acknowledge and expand our cultural diversities. 
2: Work and struggle for the development of the country. 
3: Understand* the importance of free press and the role of media. 
4: Take action against* oppressive and discriminatory policies. 
5: Gain*an understanding of processes in the government including how elections work across local authorities and central government.
 6:It is our responsibility to vote because voting allows people to decide which person or political party would make decisions for and about them.

 In addition to our responsibilities, we also have some rights. Regarding our rights in the world, the UN charter states: 

           “Freedom of speech, expression of thought, religion and enterprise.” 

Most importantly, one person’s responsibilities are another person’s rights. 
We must guarantee the following rights: 
             1: Proper education
             2: Equal opportunities for everyone 
             3: Fair system of elections. 
             4:Protection of life and property. 
             5: Basic necessities including food, shelter and general welfare. 

If a person abides by these basic rights and responsibilities then he will undoubtedly become not only a good Pakistani citizen but also a good human being. 

Modern civics is the term which, refers to the rights and duties of an individual. A good citizen is one who is dutiful, honest, efficient and hardworking. He prefers common good over personal desires. Pakistan is a God-gifted land which was established by our predecessors after making invaluable sacrifices. Those martyrs laid down their own lives so that others could get a chance to live. Patriotism must be the prime concern of every Pakistani. He or she should equip him/her self with the latest knowledge, so that they can become useful inhabitants. They must shed away ethno-sectarian divisions. Provincialism and tribalism must be set aside. 
Being the residents of the “land of pure people”, as the name “Pakistan” means, we must have good morals and character. We must work as a * model enlightened and moderate Muslim society. We must try our utmost to achieve the goals set by our predecessors. Sympathy, sincerity, devotion, commitment, moderation, accommodation and mutual cooperation must be the governing fibers of our social life. 

Being a good citizen, one has to take the burden of some responsibilities. It should be the prime responsibility of a good citizen to obey the laws of the community. He is responsible for passing on righteous deeds, harmony, love for peace and the feel of sympathy among his people. 

It is a saying about a democratic government: 

                         “You get the government you deserve”. 

It means that the things which one demands from the government will only be supplied if one struggles hard for it. One should join and take part in private and voluntary welfare organizations. One should pay income tax honestly and on time. After fulfilling their responsibilities, good citizens also demand for the community and personal rights. 

Both of these should be balanced, otherwise violence will be promoted and thus the community will be obliterated. The first basic and * fundamental right is the freedom of choice of religion. Every body should be given the right to lead one’s life according to the religion one wishes to follow. Other rights include the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of media. It often happens in Pakistan that the people who are accused of crime are not given protection, so the Government should take serious steps and urge this issue. The right for the choice of leader should be provided to the public and that is the right to vote. They should be well informed on the issues and candidates. When the constitution was ratified in 1789 many people were concerned that it did not protect certain rights. So the above rights and responsibilities should be given the utmost importance.

A man cannot live alone. He must live with other human beings. When different people live together they make a society. They have certain rights and duties to fulfill. One responsibility of man is the right of another, so a good citizen by fulfilling his responsibilities has delivered rights to others. He helps others, respects them and obeys the rules set-up by the country. He is not limited to needs of his own life but he associates with the needs and requirements of his state. So a good citizen never lets injustice happen. He cannot tolerate injustice happening in his area. 

He raises his voice not only for his own rights but for those of others too. He uses his voting power to elect an eligible person and later removes him if he is not fulfilling his duties. If one sees the past, the famous people who brought revolution in society e.g., Nelson Mandela, did not do anything more than fulfilling their responsibilities. A good citizen is always ready to defend his country and help at the time of crisis. He is a friend of democracy. In short, a good citizen is honest towards his state and people. A good citizen* lays down his life for the glory of his country, religion and people. So we should try and prove ourselves to be the best citizens of our country. 

                                                        (thanks)