In this forum recently there had recently been a discussion do you want to go to Pakistan.
I am working in a gulf state at present. I have crossed 50. I was working in a government office. In Pakistan I worked for 17 years. I started from most lucrative income tax department. I left my officer job for a clerical one in middle east in search of a house of my own for old age. My old age has reached but there is no sign of house except for a plot in Mehran Housing Scheme which 101% sure is never ever to take up as a housing colony. Usually here retirement is 60 but all of a sudden due to increase of education locally all over middle east the government has started sending Pakistan those over and above 50s. Hundreds have been sent and any time I can too be.
I had always thought of Pakistan. For example while living in Pakistan millions never paid radio licence I regularly paid while sitting abroad and colleagues labeled me here as coward.
As I told I am working in a government department. Nationality applications are dealt and are accepted in my office but I never applied. Anyone who came to me I always advised one’s own country is the best. Pakistan is the best, take your dues on retirement, invest them in National Savings you will get better monthly return in your retired old age. I did the same and never submitted my nationality application.
Now I am worried. When I will be retired I would get about Rs. 15 lacs as my gratuity. National Savings schemes are nothing today and interests are to further reduce. I have only one child and she is just 11 years. I have no home of my own in Pakistan. In this age there is no hope of finding any job in Pakistan when highly educated young are unemployed there. The worst worries for me are old age usual medical needs. I have simple life. In Pakistan I and my wife will not feel any problem daily having “Daal”, no AC, traveling in Bus or by foot but my child would definitely have. But the worst worry, which may be psychological, is that here if I felt a little pain or suffering in15 minutes I am at health centers with free standard medication of every type, nice attention but in Pakistan ALLAH forbids for minor ailment from where I will bring 30 to 40 thousands. Today I regret why had not I applied for Nationality. I would had been getting on retirement about Pakistan Rs. 40,000. I could had gone to Pakistan and every year come here to collect a year’s pension.
On the other hand I also have feelings that my parents have become too old. They need me. Though they have never said me so but their old age eyes await me and my kid. Living Pakistan with family even though with load shedding, mosquitoes around, shop keeping pushing your hands away if you want to select an apple of your choice, has its own taste. Seeing the corruption, every where you go you find rude behavior but positive sign is you can at least in return shout and cool down your frustration which is not possible in Arab countries.
In balance the only worry in Pakistan is that one should had at least a Rs. 20,000/- monthly income to live a simple life with a prayer that ALLAH may not put you in some serious disease.