Zakir in past and future.

We’ve discussed at length how passive Zakir is. But keeping in mind the point discussed in class about initially there being a hopeful outlook towards the future when people come to Pakistan, it’s safe to say that Zakir understands the fresh opportunity that this country presents:

“mien din bhar ek taaza zameen par ek tazaa asmaan taley khushi se sarshar chalta raha” (91)

However, he dulls the freshness that new Pakistan offers with his indolence; the result is a depression which emerges out of his inertia and an inability to resolve his matters.

After that bright and positive start early on, “din mailey hi hotey chaley gaye” (91) – says Zakir, as he continues to comment on the monotony of the days as they turn out to be, well aware that he himself is to be blamed for this.

And within this inactive present, days of past continue to crowd his thoughts: “beetey din uss ke tasawur mien hajoom kartey chaley gaye” (89).

Besides this nostalgic past and dull present, there is the anxiousness associated with the future. Zakir isn’t concerned with setting the present right to make for comfortable times to come. What worries him more is how he’ll look back at these present times:

“is dayaar mien mera pehla din meray hafzey munawar rena chahiye” (91).

An observer/recorder, Zakir’s idleness forces him to think about securing his present for future reference. Although a more active agent would try to directly engage with his relationships and community.

Thus, it appears there is no present for Zakir by virtue of his passiveness. He is either pained by his past or anxious about the future, while not being active in the present. He is concerned with recording his thoughts which we readers are well aware of. But perhaps that’s his way out of his depression (writing being an instrument of the Exile) which as I said is a result of his disengagement with his surroundings.