‘I will be the lady Quaid-i-Azam, I will bring revolution, I will change the system, I will change society, I will change this nation, I will...’ I closed my eyes and continued with my serious thoughts.

‘No one knows what is in my mind. No one can do what I can do. I know I am different,’ my monologue continued. I love being in my world of imagination, a world of love, care, humanity, honesty, liberty and believe this world is going to be the future Pakistan.

‘Yes, I know it is difficult to change a nation but it cannot be impossible. Nothing is impossible in this world. It is going to be very hard, I am going to have a lot of troubles but God helps those who help themselves. I want my country to be the most powerful, respected and noble nation in the world.

‘To fulfil my dreams I have to follow the path of my hero, our hero, our Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Just like him, I will study law and join politics.

‘I know people will support me, people will love me. They will definitely recognise my honesty and sincerity for Pakistan.’

Charged with passion and patriotism, I got up and said aloud, “I want an educated Pakistani nation. I want to kick out curroption, injustice, terror and illiteracy from my country. I love my Pakistan!”

I heard laughter coming from behind me. I turned and saw my brother. He was passing by my room and, hearing me, he had come inside and listened to what I had spoken.

With a mixture of amusement and anger in his tone, he said, “You are really silly! You are sitting here, making stupid plans and simply lying to yourself. You are a girl! A Pakistani girl! Can’t you understand that in our society girls are not allowed to think like this?

“You want to be a politician? This profession doesn’t suit a girl. You want to change Pakistan? A dog’s tail can become straight, a donkey can become smart but Pakistan cannot change.

“If you think people will support you than there is no one more stupid then you in this world. Never forget that you are a girl and in our country people do not support a female leader. We, the men, are the powerful! Only a man can run a nation!”

I had only a one-line reply to my brother, “One day I will be a lady Quaid-i-Azam.”

And I have just one question to put to my fellow Pakistanis, “Am I right or my brother?”