We must show the world our greatness!
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity: Albert Einstein.
KARACHI:
I am sure the topic of this article will shock a lot of people. According to most, Pakistan is facing one the most difficult times since independence. inflation, budget deficit, low investment, poor tax/GDP ratio, mushrooming public debt and rising unemployment and poverty are a few of the many challenges. Then why is this person talking about ‘Greatness’? We as a nation are clearly at an ultimate low.
Having seen and travelled the world, I am confident that if we as a nation utilise and optimize our God given resources, vast potential of its people, and immense in-built talent in the DNA of every citizen, we as a nation will be second to none.
Why am I saying this? Many reasons such as; Pakistan has the largest copper reserves in the world, second largest Coal reserves in the world, third largest cotton producers, fourth largest milk producer, sixth largest wheat producers, sixth largest population, tenth largest work force with three million workers entering the workforce every year, according to some statistics. What a daunting list for any country to have! If we can only channel these resources and opportunities into business building ideas and start to display liberal principles within the fabric of our society, we as a nation would be able to compete and challenge anyone.
There is no shortage of human ingenuity and smart DNA amongst the population of Pakistan. Ranging from having the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional at 9 in Arfa Karim to Ali Moeen Nawazish a Pakistani boy who set a world record by securing 22A’s in the GCS A-Level examination. In addition back in 1998 due to the ingenuity of our very own scientists, Pakistan became the second nation outside the permanent five members of the UN Security Council to have an indigenously created nuclear capability.
The point is that we are an amazing nation, with immense in-house expertise and knowledge, using which we can do the impossible. The key is to channel this immense human knowledge and further grow in-house capability in a manner which will build our nation, deliver innovative technologies to further its development and economy. The key is not to get depressed and disheartened due to the overwhelming difficulties, but to recognise the problem and turn it into an opportunity.
To name one opportunity, not sure how many of you realise that the current environment of devaluating currency and high unemployment is a boon for businesses and entrepreneurs who want to explore foreign markets with their products and services? How come? One can find affordable talent without difficulty as many qualified people are looking for opportunities and our cost will be very competitive in the international market due to our weak currency. If we follow the right strategies, we can make a killing.
We need to get our act together as time is indeed running out. We need to nurture passion for our country back into the hearts of our citizens as nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion. This unfortunately will only be possible until this idea is driven top down via role modelling and personal examples. We have the potential; challenge is of utilizing it properly.
The writer works in the corporate sector and is active on various business forums and trade bodies.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2012.
I am sure the topic of this article will shock a lot of people. According to most, Pakistan is facing one the most difficult times since independence. inflation, budget deficit, low investment, poor tax/GDP ratio, mushrooming public debt and rising unemployment and poverty are a few of the many challenges. Then why is this person talking about ‘Greatness’? We as a nation are clearly at an ultimate low.
Having seen and travelled the world, I am confident that if we as a nation utilise and optimize our God given resources, vast potential of its people, and immense in-built talent in the DNA of every citizen, we as a nation will be second to none.
Why am I saying this? Many reasons such as; Pakistan has the largest copper reserves in the world, second largest Coal reserves in the world, third largest cotton producers, fourth largest milk producer, sixth largest wheat producers, sixth largest population, tenth largest work force with three million workers entering the workforce every year, according to some statistics. What a daunting list for any country to have! If we can only channel these resources and opportunities into business building ideas and start to display liberal principles within the fabric of our society, we as a nation would be able to compete and challenge anyone.
There is no shortage of human ingenuity and smart DNA amongst the population of Pakistan. Ranging from having the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional at 9 in Arfa Karim to Ali Moeen Nawazish a Pakistani boy who set a world record by securing 22A’s in the GCS A-Level examination. In addition back in 1998 due to the ingenuity of our very own scientists, Pakistan became the second nation outside the permanent five members of the UN Security Council to have an indigenously created nuclear capability.
The point is that we are an amazing nation, with immense in-house expertise and knowledge, using which we can do the impossible. The key is to channel this immense human knowledge and further grow in-house capability in a manner which will build our nation, deliver innovative technologies to further its development and economy. The key is not to get depressed and disheartened due to the overwhelming difficulties, but to recognise the problem and turn it into an opportunity.
To name one opportunity, not sure how many of you realise that the current environment of devaluating currency and high unemployment is a boon for businesses and entrepreneurs who want to explore foreign markets with their products and services? How come? One can find affordable talent without difficulty as many qualified people are looking for opportunities and our cost will be very competitive in the international market due to our weak currency. If we follow the right strategies, we can make a killing.
We need to get our act together as time is indeed running out. We need to nurture passion for our country back into the hearts of our citizens as nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion. This unfortunately will only be possible until this idea is driven top down via role modelling and personal examples. We have the potential; challenge is of utilizing it properly.
The writer works in the corporate sector and is active on various business forums and trade bodies.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2012.