As you read this article, a group of twenty young Pakistanis are knocking on doors, putting up posters, distributing flyers all over the city inviting all Karachiites to remember their existence as Pakistanis and march together on February 15, 2009 in a citizens' organised Peace and Unity Walk.

Working out of a small office basement, with little funds, many ideas and a lot of jazba, these twenty or so young Pakistanis were sick and tired of the violence in our society, the false promises by the Politicians, the existence of the fascism and the negative image of our country in the west. So they decided to band and unite for one cause that they believe exists in all of us, a peaceful and united Pakistan.

As someone who has become somewhat of a hopeless cynic, reading articles after articles of the liberal 'progressive' writers who keep on questioning the very existence of Pakistan, this group's mandate to me was a refreshing change.

But why one might ask, why should I march for this country? For its peace and unity?  To many, it seems like a distant and idealistic dream... Something which seems so far away for us Pakistanis to achieve...

Fawad Afridi, one of the promoter says "We have forgotten what it means to be Pakistani; we are too concerned with our regional differences, to recognize that we are all Pakistanis".

Naveed Mansoor, another promoter terms this as an avenue to exhibit equity and promote harmony in diversity among the Pakistani people". Hamza, a CAMS student who has recently joined the group is often heard telling his friends "Wasting your lives, having fun is a great thing to do, but it's a luxury we cant afford. He speaks of MRP and says that "it offers a positive drive towards the re-waking of nationalism"

The answer, maybe, lies in this very effort. The idea of Pakistan, as thought by our founders, was a nation, whose essence always lied with our youth. When Iqbal said "Jawanon ko peeron ka ustaad kar", what was maybe intrinsic in this idea is that the Pakistani nation should not only be defined by our youth but also that our nation would change with every generation.

So maybe on 15th February, we should forget about what we think Pakistan means, where in Pakistan we belong to and march for a unified country, maybe because this is what our youth is willing to stand up and fight for. Maybe because there are still Pakistanis out there such as members of "Mission: Rescue Pakistan", who still believe in a unified Pakistan, because we still see hundreds of teenagers proudly supporting Pakistani flags on their motor bikes on 14th August, because we still see one of the most politically aware Pakistani public, a lot of who are itching to make a difference even with very limited avenues and resources.

So maybe this is what being Pakistani means today, it means that we band together under one banner, and not only recognize our own existence through the existence of our nation but also hold ourselves responsible for its destiny.

So on Feburary 15th, if you are a student, a teacher, a banker, a social worker, a shop keeper, these twenty or so Pakistanis urge you and call you to come be part of the walk and stand up for a peaceful and united Pakistan.

- Moneeza Ahmed