This is probably the scariest point in Pakistan’s history. Threatened with rampant terrorism and being engulfed by the world economic recession, Pakistan’s future seems bleak for those that like to stick to reality. The youth, especially those that are attending college and will soon be looking for jobs are all reacting differently to this situation.
There are those who believe that no matter what, they can never leave their country and are hopeful that things are going to get better soon. They cannot stand pessimism and treat those who try to give them a ‘reality check’ as traitors to the nation. They believe, that one day they themselves will be the ones that will become the change they want to see in the nation.
However, there are others that take things the opposite way. These are usually people who have lived a significant part of their lives abroad. They are sometimes arrogant, as can be seen by their all-knowing looks as they quote economic indicators and CIA predictions. Indeed, they have no shame in using phrases such as “the country is going down the drain”, or “there won’t be a Pakistan soon.”
As the youth is said to be future of the country, I am puzzled by what the future of my country holds as I look around. Will the educated use their education for an exit strategy to leave the country? Or will they use their education towards not only investing and working to make a better Pakistan, but to improve its international image? As for me, I like to believe that while accepting the fact that Pakistan is in bad shape, I know that there is a lot of hope. After all, the Germans had to carry a cart full of cash to buy a loaf of bread, just to realize that the price had increased by the time they reached there! If they can survive, so can we – it only depends on our nationalism.
There are those who believe that no matter what, they can never leave their country and are hopeful that things are going to get better soon. They cannot stand pessimism and treat those who try to give them a ‘reality check’ as traitors to the nation. They believe, that one day they themselves will be the ones that will become the change they want to see in the nation.
However, there are others that take things the opposite way. These are usually people who have lived a significant part of their lives abroad. They are sometimes arrogant, as can be seen by their all-knowing looks as they quote economic indicators and CIA predictions. Indeed, they have no shame in using phrases such as “the country is going down the drain”, or “there won’t be a Pakistan soon.”
As the youth is said to be future of the country, I am puzzled by what the future of my country holds as I look around. Will the educated use their education for an exit strategy to leave the country? Or will they use their education towards not only investing and working to make a better Pakistan, but to improve its international image? As for me, I like to believe that while accepting the fact that Pakistan is in bad shape, I know that there is a lot of hope. After all, the Germans had to carry a cart full of cash to buy a loaf of bread, just to realize that the price had increased by the time they reached there! If they can survive, so can we – it only depends on our nationalism.
Reading this short but powerful post amazes me. It's a relief that Pakistan has youth that believe in the country and can actually pinpoint the different thoughts that exist within the people. It's always hard to know what the youth feel but this is an excellent way to start discussions and an awareness of what is happening. I hope this makes those who are still delusional to think about their future as individuals and as citizens of the country.
ReplyDeleteThe irony lies in the fact that the second type of youth are the ones that are actually ignorant for they believe that they can feel at home anywhere in the world - be a so called "world citizen". I was one of those people, for I just wanted to leave my country no matter what. Now that I am studying here in the Middle East, and face discrimination even though I am in a muslim country, I realize that I can never be a first class citizen anywhere in the world. Those who do decide to leave their countries should also leave some of their pride behind - sad, but true. I believe that now I have transcended into the first personality that you described as I want to come back and make a change, albeit a small one, in my country.
ReplyDeleteI have also thought about this before. What is happening in Pakistan is a sad reality and I only pray that the youth are amongst those that belong to the first category (or at least are transferring to it).
ReplyDeleteIt is depressing to realise that Pakistan has an educated, skilled and a very capable workforce to offer, but it is offering its talents to any country besides Pakistan itself, where the youth is using their education as a means of getting out, like you stated. Look at the Dean of WCMC-Q Javaid Sheikh as an example. As more and more people get educated, they leave their country behind, creating a whirlpool of uneducated and poverty-stricken societies with no hope for a decent economy in return. It is a never-ending cycle and until we somehow create the image of a promising and prospering nation worth coming back to, there really will be no hope left for either the youth or the "adults".
First thing first, we need to address the welfare of our people because afterall, "Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have." - Winston Churchill.
- Anam Waheed
I agree with what is said as the same applies to Iraqi's, Jordanians,Syrians, Indians, and many other nations. Educated people hoping for a better life leave the country, in some cases seeking new nationalities; thinking that a passport of a foreign country is the sign of accomplishment, prosperity and economical safety. People continue to "abandon ship" without even considering repairing it knowing that they got all the tools needed.
ReplyDeleteI somewhat agree with waleed. But at the same time, we should realize that the overseas pakistanis are contributing significantly to the economy of pakistan with the influx of foreign exchange. Therefore, I disagree with people who think that people who live outside Pakistan have no contribution or concern towards the country
ReplyDeleteSanah Sadiq
whats the foriegn exchange good for with overseas pakistanis when the only spending they do here is that from tourism and holidays, its all a brain drain and the western societies snatch the cream of the crop by offering attractive jobs and education oppertunities
ReplyDeleteThe issue of Pakistan and its current condition is a quite frightening one. Like it was pointed out, it seems evident that primarily education, as it has always been, is vital for the country to make any progress. It is education that needs to be used (along with necessary military force) to combat terrorism because who are these majority of terrorists? They are people uneducated and brainwashed with propaganda that it is God's will to blow up mosques and kill innocent civilians. They lack education in order to think for themselves critically and truly asses on their own could Allah truly ask me to commit such an atrocious crime? Is this really what the Quran and the Prophet's (pbuh) teachings call for? More proof can be seen in the fact that still in Afghanistan girls trying to attain an education are attacked with acid for attending schools.
ReplyDeleteHaving established education as necessary to combat terrorism one must now turn to the youth itself that is actually currently attaining this education. These young minds of Pakistan, as was pointed out, will now seek jobs and opportunities. It cannot be denied that the majority of people would like to have a bright and successful future; be it at the cost of leaving their country. One may call this selfishness or being a traitor to one's country, but it cannot be argued that the primary goal of most people is securing the future of their children. Now be that in Pakistan or any other country. So, it is important for Pakistan to be able to transform on the international platform as a country not only with a lucrative image to the international community but also to the rising work force in Pakistan.
So what can Pakistan do to change itself? Firstly, there is no one correct answer and the best solution can only be proposed by the fresh and young minds of Pakistanis that currently live in this situation for what has worked in country doesn't mean will work in Pakistan. Nevertheless, I believe that Pakistan needs to attain a STABLE government. One that would be free of corruption in an ideal world, but at least limited in corruption in practicality. Then only can the government focus on strengthening its economics and infrastructure. Currently, it seems that the majority of Pakistani politicians and average men and women are fighting over who holds the reins to Pakistan. It is ironic that the major party leaders and names that you often hear being thrown around: Pervez Musharraf, Benazir Bhutto, Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharief...all seem to be tagged with corruption charges. Yet, they still provide an influential role in politics.
It is up to the new generation of elite Pakistanis, elite not in financial wealth but in particular in educational wealth, to move into politics and push for the Pakistan that they wish to see tomorrow. Those that speak of Pakistan as having no hope and "gone down the drain" are ignorant buffoons who have succumbed to pessimism. Similar to them are the terrorists who see the only way to change the government system is through violent acts of terrorism in the name of the Lord that doesn't even permit such acts. Yet, worse then them are those who believe ignorance is bliss. Everyone needs to take responsibility for the situation in Pakistan be they be living within Pakistan or abroad.
I pray that the day comes and I'm confident that it can come if the youth remain strong in their goal for a new Pakistan.
~~~Abdullah Firoze
On Behalf of Munjid Al Harthy (he doesn't have a google account)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post.
I'd like to think that both kinds of Pakistani youth have important roles to serve in the future of their country. The ones who believe that staying in Pakistan and working to pull it out of its current hardships play an important role in the immediate survival of the nation. However those that are more ‘internationally oriented’ also have a pivotal role in sustaining an
active Pakistani participation on the global front, an asset that many would argue is extremely important in the long term survival of a country. This global participation can however only be harnessed if the Pakistanis living abroad retain their sense of identity and patriotism. Whether it be abroad or at home, I believe that all citizens have important roles to play, and can contribute to their country in different, but equally important ways.
- Munjid Al Harthy
Really guys thank you so much for your comments (special thanks to you Anam!)
ReplyDeleteI think Munjid's comment sums it all up: we need to make sure that we contribute to our country no matter where we are and what determines that is that we remain proud of being Pakistani.
Abdullah Wrote:
"It cannot be denied that the majority of people would like to have a bright and successful future; be it at the cost of leaving their country. "
Although I agree that one can have a "bright and successful future" if one leaves the country ONLY if one considers financial gains as success. It is important to realize that what draws a lot of the expatriates back to their countries is the respect they get, the cultural upbringing of their children and a feeling that they will grow old at a place where they can truly call home. Ofcourse, national spirit is also a factor, but coming back to ur own country is not just about being a martyr.
Its a good article. However, it talks about the minority of the public. Pakistanis who have lived their lives abroad and Pakistanis who are strong patriots are minorities. Majority of the people are those that never even think or plan for the long-term. They just go through their lives a day at a time. And seriously speaking, with the uncertainities and lack of protection for individual rights, there's nothing one can depend on to plan for the future. Patriotism cannot survive in the face of adversity. If people are not being fed, patriotism becomes a mean of getting the votes. It only appears in speeches and articles and not in the action.
ReplyDeleteOKay, I've wandered off again...
well personally I think that it's going to be hard pulling Pakistan out of this huge ditch that it sorta managed to dig itself into, but the people of the country are not really helping at all.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned Maheen, there are two types of people, the 'hopefuls' and the 'realists'. That by itself is where the problem starts. The people are not united! How would you expect a nation to grow with people within the nation arguing about whether or not the nation WOULD grow?
What people need to do right now is throw their opinions in the trash and work together to pull their country out of this mess. It's not impossible, but it's not easy either. People need to realize that their country is on the verge of extinction and that if they sit there and argue about whether their country will die or not, it WILL die.
awesome comments by both asif and zaid :D
ReplyDelete