It's not the land, it's the system, says Anoushey

VJ talks about losing her sense of patriotism

Anyone who has despaired at the living conditions in Pakistan will find solidarity with VJ Anoushey Ahmed. In a recent conversation with FHM Pakistan, Anoushey spoke openly about her true feelings for the country she calls home.

"I'm upset," she lamented. "That feeling of patriotism that everyone used to have at one point – that has died a little bit in me. I've become disheartened."

Anoushey has voiced similar sentiments in the past. In August, when other celebrities took to social media in celebration of Independence Day, she publicly slammed the nationwide slow internet connection and lack of infrastructure on Instagram Stories, urging her followers to unite in the face of political discord. Today, Anoushey is adamant that her feelings do not correlate with her impending relocation to London, where she looks to join her husband once her immigration paperwork has cleared.

"It has nothing to do with the UK," she protested. "Overseas Pakistanis hurt for Pakistan much more deeply than we do here. They are doing whatever they can in their capacity to help Pakistan because their hearts truly hurt for the country."

Anoushey has voiced similar sentiments in the past. In August, when other celebrities took to social media in celebration of Independence Day, Anoushey slammed the nationwide slow internet connection and lack of infrastructure, urging her followers to unite in the face of political discord. Today, her feelings are unchanged.

"My heart has rotted," confessed Anoushey. "I don't have the patience anymore, or the love for everything anymore. Do I want to fight? Or do I want to now just take time off?"

Anoushey's disillusionment also stems from being harassed outdoors. "I was once walking to my friend's house – because it was a nice day – and cars would slow down just to look at me, even though I was dressed completely normally," she recalled.

To end on a positive note, however, Anoushey acknowledged that the problems in Pakistan stem from the system in place and not the land itself. Urging people to connect with the country, she observed, "The world is a very uninspiring place at the moment. It's not just Pakistan, with the inflation and the 'halaat'. There are going to be a million things that bother you. But what is going to keep you healthy mentally and emotionally is connecting with your land, with nature. That opportunity, no matter what, should not be missed."