Returning to Pakistan


Raza Abbas July 11, 2010
If you're a Pakistani student studying abroad (US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia wherever) pursuing whatever degree, people will automatically assume you're staying there for good.

And by people here I'm referring to our fellow countrymen.

When you meet them at a gathering or a get-together, such topics are often the subject of discussion. Telling them that you have plans of returning home will earn you looks of utter bewilderment, as if you've said something embarrassing. You go back to Pakistan to visit family and friends, and everyone invariably asks you how you are doing abroad, so you tell them you're getting by OK - which is almost always followed by something along the lines of "Good! Get a job/green card, and do not come back!"

I know things are bad, but this utter hopelessness is not going to do us any good.

If we abandon our own country, when it needs us the most, what right do we have to call ourselves proud Pakistanis when we couldn't even bother to spend the prime of our lives living in it and working for its betterment? My mind tells me it's a foolish obsession that makes no sense, given the instability prevalent over there, but then my heart says: No matter what the outcome, at least I would have done the right thing.

The battle between my heart and my mind rages on.
WRITTEN BY:
Raza Abbas A full-time PhD Student in the computer sciences at a school in the US. He blogs at Waking Life.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (26)

Aun | 14 years ago | Reply Reading your post reminded me of something. Last year my dad had some money he wanted to invest and he bought some shares Karachi knowing the instability of the country. I asked him why would he risk a loss and not invest money abroad. This was his reply 'beta ager har koi aise sochne lag pare ga to hamare mulk ka kia bane ga?' i had no response. This is a time when our country needs us the most. We can't abandon it like you said. We have to come back and help our country.
Muhammad Usman Ghani | 14 years ago | Reply Though my boss thinks that he will soon will be leaving Pakistan, as his "patriotism" even dont sees any chance here, I will quote one of my friends, "Let the fear face the tiger" Fleeing is not the option. Maybe Raza's fight within, if he won, will be called madness,, but its madness we need! Now, Pakistan needs us more than ever.
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