ON Uniform

When the Chief Minister of Punjab decided to wear a police uniform, it led to a lot of different opinions.
Some people thought it was not right for a political leader to wear something that is usually worn by
police officers. They felt it mixed up the roles of politicians and police too much. This caused quite a bit
of talk on social media where some people even made rude comments.
But there is more to think about why she might have chosen to wear the uniform. One big reason could be
to show her support for the police. This is a way for her to really connect with the police force and show
that she stands with them in their work to keep peace and order. By wearing the uniform, she was
probably trying to show that the government and the police are working together to keep everyone safe.
Another important thing her decision does is sending a strong message about her style of leadership. It
shows that she is active and hands-on, ready to tackle problems directly. This can be really encouraging
for both the public and the police, as they see their leader working closely with them and taking on
challenges.
Also being a woman and choosing to wear a police uniform is quite meaningful. Many times, jobs like
law enforcement are seen as jobs mainly for men. Her decision challenges this old idea and shows that
women can hold powerful and tough positions just like men.
Often female leaders are judged more harshly about their choices including how they dress. This has
happened with numerous female leaders like Margret Thatcher when she wore military uniform during
the Falkland War. Tansu Ciller, Golda Meir and even Indra Gandhi, all were criticized for wearing army
or security uniforms during their tenures but no male leader ever criticised. Who among us don't know
that nearly all US Presidents have worn army uniforms. But in the case of a woman leader it always
happens in world history. I believe that this extra scrutiny on women leaders is just to distract people
from seeing their real work and what they achieve. By choosing to wear the uniform and standing strong
despite any criticism, the CM might be making a statement against these unfair standards. She is showing
that women should be judged based on what they do and how well they lead and not just by their gender
or how they look.
This action of hers could also inspire other women and young girls. It shows them that they too can aim
for high roles in areas they might have thought were not for them. It sends a powerful message that
positions of leadership and authority are open to everyone, no matter if you are a man or a woman.
While some people did not like the CM wearing a police uniform and said a lot about it, looking deeper
shows us she might have had very good reasons for her choice. Her actions show teamwork, strong
leadership, the breaking of old gender ideas, and could inspire many others. These are not just about
wearing a uniform but about what wearing that uniform stands for: commitment, safety, leadership, and
breaking down old barriers.

Regards
Dr. Ahtasham Jan Butt
ON FEEDBACK
After I resumed writing post-Eid the variety of reactions from my audience was quite enlightening for me.
Initially when some people criticized my writings as irrelevant and requested me to stop sending them I
was upset and considered blocking those who did not appreciate what I considered the art of reading.
However I started contemplating in three distinctive domains to figure out such reactions.
1. Psychologically, I understood that the negative reactions were not personal attacks but influenced by
each individual's circumstances. For instance, those who found my messages irrelevant might have been
overwhelmed with other tasks or not interested in the topics I was discussing. This perspective helped me
not to take these reactions to the heart and I have recognized that these reactions stemmed from personal
preferences rather than a reflection of my writing skills.
2. Philosophically, this situation enlightened me with the importance of not generalizing a group based on
a few individuals’ actions. Many of my critics worked in the government sector and it was very much
tempting to question their effectiveness in their respective roles as administrators due to their disinterest
in reading and writing. However, being a passive student of Don Juan and following the Yaqui way of
knowledge, I remember when Don Juan said "not to judge the whole by a part". No doubt this is a
valuable lesson. Also It is reflected in the literary history of Indo Pak as well. For example, when Manto
wrote about the harsh realities of partition and human psyche, his work was met with backlash and even
legal trials were witnessed both in India and Pakistan, not because his work was not powerful but because
it confronted uncomfortable truths that many were not ready to face.
3. Culturally, the reaction to my writings also reflected how different societies perceive communication.
Again in the sub-continent the reaction to authors can be quite intense due to deep rooted cultural values
and norms. Take the example of Arundati Roy whose novel "God of Small Things" was famous globally
but criticized in her own country for issues like caste and gender. In my case and experience where the
cultural context of my audience significantly influenced how my messages were received.
In nutshell, this journey has deeply informed me about the human behavior and cultural influence on
communication. Now, I view each piece of feedback as an opportunity to understand and connect with
my audience better, rather than as a critique of my worth or skills. I have also learned the importance of
respecting diverse opinions and disagreements. Also acknowledging them as vital aspects of a vibrant and
dynamic society. This might be the most irritating and boring text especially for those who have sent
messages of discontent and urged me to stop sending irrelevant messages.

P.S. To make it more clear, type UNSUB if you do not wish to hear from me instead of using verbosity in
anger. Always be polite in your social circle. For those who are silent readers, your feedback is crucial for
me. Identify mistakes and should you want to join me, you are welcome.
ON INFATUATIONS

Infatuations are a common and natural phenomenon that most people experience at some point in their
lives. Let us explore this topic by first distinguishing between a crush and an infatuation because these
words often confuse us. Both are quite different in nature.
A crush is an initial wave of sensuality you might feel towards someone you do not know very well. This
could happen with someone you have only seen like an actor, actress, sports person etc. The hallmark of a
crush is that it is based on very limited information. You might admire them for their appearance or the
way they carry themselves, but you do not know much about their personality or life. Despite the strong
feelings, a crush is typically shallow and brief because there is little actual connection or interaction with
the person.
infatuation on the other hand goes a few steps deeper and usually develops when you have had some
interaction with someone. It starts with attraction, similar to a crush, but grows as you begin to know the
person a bit more. This does not mean you know everything about them. It can still be based on an
idealized image. However, you know enough about your infatuation to feel a strong connection more
deeper than a simple crush.
Infatuation can make you feel very excited and optimistic about the possibility of forming a relationship.
It often involves not just physical attraction but an emotional appeal to certain qualities of the person
which might include their smile, the way they think, or how they treat others. You might find yourself
daydreaming about future scenarios with them, imagining what it would be like to date them or even
build a life together. Infatuation can happen with anyone but is often felt for someone who might not
seem to be an obvious match for you, like someone much older or younger, which for sure adds to
complexity of these feelings.
The roots of infatuation are both psychological and biological. Psychologically, infatuation can stem from
our desire for companionship and emotional connection. It can also be fueled by our want for excitement
and new experiences. Biologically, infatuation triggers a sort of dopamine and other chemicals in the
brain that make us feel good, which is why it can be addictive.
However, infatuations can be tricky. They do not always lead to real, long term relationships. And when
they do not, they can leave us feeling empty or heartbroken especially if the feelings are not mutual. it is
also common for people to take advantage of someone’s infatuation once they realize they are the object
of such intense affection.
Personally, i have experienced both; being infatuated and being the object of someone else’s infatuation.
In cases where i was the object, I do recognize that I might have unintentionally hurt those who were
infatuated with me because i did not reciprocate them equally. This has taught me about the importance of
handling such situations with care and empathy.
Managing infatuations responsibly involves;
1. Recognizing them for what they are and what they want.
2. It is important to understand that while these feelings can be intense, they might not always be based on
a realistic understanding of the other person.
3. If you find yourself infatuated, enjoy the feelings but also keep a check on yourself.
4. If the feelings are not reciprocated then it is crucial to accept this reality gracefully without any
bitterness.
To conclude, Infatuations although intense and sometimes painful are valuable learning experiences.
They teach us about our emotional needs and desires and help us understand how to relate better to others.
Being mindful and respectful in dealing with our feelings and the feelings of others can lead to healthier
relationships and personal growth.

Regards
Dr. Ahtasham Jan Butt
On being a Sun-Tzu
I am sorry because I have not written anything recently especially since Eid ul Fitar. I have been
incredibly busy starting new sessions for students preparing for the CSS exams.
There is a common saying that you cannot be creative when you are worried about basics like food and a
place to live. This is very true because when financial concerns dominate your thoughts, it is hard to focus
on anything else. On the other hand being too comfortable can also stop you from coming up with new
ideas. That is why I strive to maintain a balance between these two extremes.
In my life, (towards the topic now) I have encountered many individuals who pretend to be friends but
actually have ill intentions towards you. This type of behavior is not unique to my experiences rather it is
a universal phenomenon. For example leaders of major companies may present cordial relations in public
but behind the scenes they engage in fierce competition even taking actions against one another while
maintaining public politeness. This mirrors the dual behavior I have observed in my own circles.
Instead of staying away from these types of individuals, I engage with them more closely. While this
might sound unusual but believe me it is a rich source of learning for me. Observing their actions helps
me understand human behavior more deeply. Historical figures in human past also turned adversarial
conditions to their advantage. Mandela’s years in prison were spent learning about his opponents. He
gained that peculiar knowledge which later enabled him to foster reconciliation in South Africa.
I too once worked with colleagues who frequently commended my work on my face but were secretly
undermining me to my bosses. I used to confront them and paid heavy prices in the past. But now Instead
of confronting any such person/s immediately, I now try to observe their tactics quietly and learn how to
navigate and counteract such challenges effectively.
I have learnt not to react with frustration to those who are jealous or speak ill of me behind my back.
Rather I find their presence educational. By pretending to be ignorant of their schemes while they believe
they are outsmarting me but in reality I am analyzing their behavior and learning effective strategies to
deal with them all without direct confrontation.
This approach aligns with the teachings of the ancient strategist Sun Tzu who advised that appearing
weak when you are strong can be a powerful tactic. By doing so those who aim to undermine you will
become confused and frustrated when their plans fail to demoralize and destroy you.
You might have noticed the frequent use of ‘I’ today. My intention is to share personal experiences that I
believe are valuable. The crux is that;
1. it is crucial to avoid arrogance.
2. Overconfidence can blind us to our own flaws and prevent us from growing.
3. It may seem easy to avoid people who dislike you but engaging with them can offer significant insights
into human nature and personal resilience.
4. Staying humble and open to learning from every situation is essential.
5. Directly facing challenges with patience and a readiness to learn not only teaches you about others but
also fosters personal growth and strength.
In this way I embrace the essence of being like Sun Tzu i.e. turning every encounter into a lesson for
making my strategies and understanding human psychology.
ON SUCCESS
When someone keeps succeeding at what they are doing, without facing any new challenges, it can start
to feel a bit boring. Imagine playing a game where you win every single time without even trying hard. At
first, winning feels great, but if it keeps happening over and over again without any effort, you might start
to lose interest in the game. It is because humans like to feel challenges and stimulations.
When we overcome obstacles, it makes us feel accomplished and proud, adding excitement to what we
are doing. If everything is too easy and success comes without any struggle, there is nothing to strive for,
and all things can start to feel dull.
It is like eating your favorite food every single time. No matter how much you love it, if you eat it all the
time, you shall start wanting something different. Variety and challenges keep life interesting. So, in a
way, facing difficulties and working hard to overcome them makes our successes more rewarding and
keeps us engaged and motivated. I sometimes plan failures to enjoy the celebrations of success.

Regards
Dr Ahtisham Jan Butt

Since February 2024, I have been sharing my thoughts in short paragraphs on social media. Now, I have
decided to also share them with my WhatsApp contact list to seek feedback.

ON TRUE MACHIAVELLI

People often say that being realistic is all about looking out for yourself and trying to be the most
powerful. They say humans are naturally selfish and can even fight each other to get what they want. This
way of thinking is sometimes called being "Machiavellian" because it reminds people of Machiavelli.
But let's talk about a different kind of realism, one that is not about being selfish or chasing after power.
Imagine, even when others try to bring you down or stop you from succeeding, you still manage to make
a positive impact without needing to be incharge. This is the real wisdom in life. It is not about grabbing
power for yourself but about helping others and making things better without needing any recognition.
So, when you think about it, being truly wise means you are not after power. Instead, you focus on
protecting and helping others, enjoying life's journey without needing to be in the spotlight. That is what
being truly "Machiavellian" should mean:- using your influence for good, quietly and effectively, and let
the opponents believe that they are controlling everything whilst it is you who has created this illusion
and is enjoying the game.