Pakistan is passing through one of the most punishing economic phases in its history. Inflation has drained household savings, the rupee has steadily weakened, industries are struggling to stay afloat, and public debt has tightened its grip on national decision-making. For millions, daily survival has become a balancing act. Yet beneath these visible pressures lies a quieter tragedy: the systematic sidelining of its engineers.
Pakistan has spent decades producing skilled engineers across civil, electrical, mechanical, software and chemical disciplines. These are professionals trained to build roads, power plants, water systems, industries and digital infrastructure — the very foundations of a modern economy. And yet, tens of thousands of them remain unemployed or trapped in work far below their qualifications.
Instead of empowering technical professionals, Pakistan’s governance structure continues to favour generalist administration and political patronage over expertise. Engineers are reduced to passive roles, sometimes even forced to “rent out” their professional licenses just to survive. This practice not only humiliates the profession but also compromises public safety and project quality. Meanwhile, many of the country’s best engineers leave for opportunities abroad.
The loss is national. No country has ever achieved sustainable growth by ignoring its technical backbone. Yet, there is still room for hope. Pakistan does not lack talent, intelligence or youth. What it lacks is the courage to realign authority with expertise.
Shazia Iqbal
Turbat
