KARACHI:
Every day, my friends and I purchase french fries at a stall near our university. A few days ago, we were joking among ourselves saying that we might have to set up a stall after graduating given the poor job prospects in the country. “It is not as easy as it appears”, the vendor chimed in upon hearing our conversation. He told us how his entire family contributes to the stall, but now they are struggling to keep it afloat due to daily increases in the prices of the ingredients.
The vendor advised us to move abroad and told us of his brother who moved abroad in search of a better job where he is now earning a decent salary. I often come across videos on social media of Pakistanis who have moved abroad and are now earning higher salaries and progressing in their careers. Hearing and watching these stories often make me wonder if I am wasting my potential by staying here. But leaving the country is not an easy decision, especially because I want to build a good life for myself here as well as contribute back to our society and economy.
However, it is getting increasingly difficult to stay optimistic with the worsening socio-economic situation of Pakistan. Like myself, the majority of the youth find themselves asking the same questions daily. Do we have an obligation to play a part in improving our country? Should we focus on ourselves and leave the country in the hands of those destroying it?
Abu Bakar Khan
Abbottabad
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2023.
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