@Hum Hain- What I mean by being fed up in the UK is sometimes I look around and I don't feel part of the UK but when I'm in Pakistan I get a feeling of being at home. Also I've spent most of my life around gorey and as much British Asians like to think we're a part of Britain many gorey don't accept us even if they're friendly to us.
A lot of people from the UK are from villages and when they go back all they see is thier village and find it boring. This is what they associate with Pakistan so many negative things, those that make an effort to see Pakistan have a different attitude. There are few big benefits of being in the UK I must admit such as the strength of the currency and free health care but that's about it.
So why not use what I have to help my own country and help it get to a position it can provide these things? I'm also encouraging my father to take a Renewable energy course so he fit things like solar panels and with current Electricty shortages would help many people.
@blessed2006 If I can earn enough to live in Pakistan and raise a family, that's all I need. I won't be leaving my current job untill I secure another one.
And thank you everybody for your wishes and if I could ask if you all please make dua for me.
Asif,
It is one thing visiting Pakistan and another working there. You might think you are moving to Pakistan to help the country, but the Pakistanis will view you as one more guy who took a job they could have had. Unlike the west, where many people have studied some economics, most people in Pakistan view work as a zero sum game in an agricultural economy- your gain is their loss. In addition, Pakistan has plenty of prejudice too, it is a part of the human spirit. Do you think, the Shia-Sunni, mohajir, pathan, Sindhi Punjabi etc all accept each other?
That said, I still think you should go. If you are young, you deserve to learn these things first hand in life and have an adventure.
@Aashiq- When I was younger I spent about 6 months in Pakistan going to school and I know I can adjust to the lifestyle. I’ve never been to a nightclub and I’ve lived through loadshedding, in Lahore and Pindi on the few months I’ve spent in Pakistan during summer. Plus some 170 million people are able to manage so why not me?
@ Lucid- I actually have an application for MAP on my desktop and I’m just procrastinating at the moment. I’ll also try PAA, good idea thanks. I have a few contacts already but it’s a matter of going to Pakistan and using them to find out how useful they will be in reality. I also have a friend studying here who is going back at the end of this year and will try to set up some interviews for me.
@bob_chasm- People in the UK think in the same way but at least it will take people a minute or two to figure out I’m not from Pakistan unlike in the UK where the colour of my skin is a dead give away.
I don’t disagree with you that people from different backgrounds dislike each other but it’s not hatred. The UK has a similar thing in that the English dislike the Scots, Welsh and Irish and they all hate the English.
In the UK I’ve had a little kid of maybe about 4 or 5 give me the middle finger and shout “Paki”.
I’ve also gone for interviews where I’ve performed really well and on a couple of occasions met the candidate they finally chose one had no relevant marketing experience and the other was a complete dimwit in terms of marketing knowledge.
I’m aware of the harsh realities I’ll face in Pakistan and I know I won’t be given everything on a plate just because I’m from the UK.
In the UK I’ve had a little kid of maybe about 4 or 5 give me the middle finger and shout “Paki”.
Did you feel any pity for the child or just anger and fear? He is acting this way because this is how he has learnt to express himself - with fear and anger. I think, chances are good, that with that attitude, he will grow up working as a dustbin man all his life.
I felt pity that he's obviously not fully aware of what he was saying but obviously it's something his parents drilled into him that he's acting this way. Where I live we've two far right facist party councillors so that tell's you something about the way many people feel.
Though, I would neither encourage nor discourage you to return to Pakistan because it is not the same country which you or your had left many years ago. india has turned into another kashmir by sending secret agents & by appointing our own fasaadi minded people to cause destruction all over the country.
Recent news are that they are going to ban the internet too. It is obvious they're trying to isolate Pakistan from the virtual world also after isolating Pakistan from the rest of the world. They do not like Pakistanis to keep contact with anyone from the outside world. That's why they're getting this done through our own goats & ninjas.
So, if you do decide to return, do know that you would not have the same security your family or you had in Pakistan couple of years ago. Or the kind of security you have back in UK. UK is a peaceful country in all terms, better than any of your arab lands. I do not know why your bad experience there but I guess that would be nothing compared with what you might encounter in arab lands or even in the present Pakistan.
I understand many would give their left arm to be in the position I am in. I must admit it's not all bad in the UK but as I said before this decision is not just about me but how I can contribute to a bigger cause than just providing for myself and my immediate family.
If we let the brain drain in Pakistan continue, where those that are in the best position to bring positive change to the country take the first chance to jump ship, how are we ever going to get anywhere?
I fully understand the risks and I am happy to take them. I have a plan of bringing my father and brother to Pakistan eventually also but that's in the future. I need to set the example.
I understand many would give their left arm to be in the position I am in. I must admit it's not all bad in the UK but as I said before this decision is not just about me but how I can contribute to a bigger cause than just providing for myself and my immediate family.
If we let the brain drain in Pakistan continue, where those that are in the best position to bring positive change to the country take the first chance to jump ship, how are we ever going to get anywhere?
I fully understand the risks and I am happy to take them. I have a plan of bringing my father and brother to Pakistan eventually also but that's in the future. I need to set the example.
Asif,
Usually, when people speak about reversing the brain drain, they are speaking about people who get MDs, MBAs and PhDs from top schools, make hundreds of thousands pounds abroad and who can open new companies/ businesses and bring new jobs to Pakistan. Are you thinking of investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in Pakistan? If you do then I am sure you will be welcomed with open arms (atleast until the money runs out). :lol.
asif, I have not read all your posts. All I read was that you're someone who wants to return come to Pakistan for whatever reasons of your own. I have seen people getting frustrated & bitter at the circumstances (no or lack of opportunities, etc.) before leaving again to go back to where they come from. I do not like that. I mean I do not like people leaving Pakistan because they were bitter about the circumstances. That can only be avoided if they know 100% what they would be getting into. Eg; I have decided to live here no matter what I have to face. But I also know there are not many such people. That's why I said to make your decision wisely.
But if you're sure that you can face & fight all of those issues bravely & not get bitter or frustrated about Pakistan, you should definitely come here.
@bob- The brain drain doesn't start from MD's/MBA's/ PhD's it starts from graduates, if Pakistan managed it keep it's best graduates Pakistan would have a far better chance competing with other nations.
I have an ambition to set up a farming co-operative in my Dad's village in Jhelum, though I don't have the capital do it yet but InshAllah soon and it will be something my family can run.
@ambassador- It's something I've been wanting to do before I graduated and I visted in 2004 to see if I could actually do it? But unfortunately cicumstances at that time wouldn't let me. So this time next year InshAllah I'll be packing my bags for Pakistan.
Did you feel any pity for the child or just anger and fear? He is acting this way because this is how he has learnt to express himself - with fear and anger. I think, chances are good, that with that attitude, he will grow up working as a dustbin man all his life.
regards,
bob
looool..do u knw how much dustbin men are paid bob? starting salary is around £30000!!!!!!!
And Asif..I think u shud go for it..ive lived in Pak for 3 years..although i was studying and not working..but it was a good time, i learnt how to live without luxuries and learnt how to live through loadshedding..water shortages.. i appreciate everything i have more now..I have seen the way people live...and there are bad points..but then there are good and bad points about every country, I was born and raised in England..but will always feel like an outsider because at the end of the day thats what I am..and as time is going on the people here are becoming more hostile towards ethnic minorities..dont know what the future holds..especially with such a shaky government..all i know is life is going to get much harder in England for ethnic minorities..and as they say nothing ventured nothing gained..give it a try! so many people discouraged us guys as well but we still went and have not regretted a single day.. IMO if you can make it in Pakistan, you can make it anywhere..but on the job front..ur going to need some connections!
its odd, many countries have issues, but we never discuss them whenever someone mentions they want to go back to pak, you alwyas get the 60percent saying they shouldnt, or giving them a bullet by bullet lecture on the conditions of pak-as if the person wanting to go didnt know already!!!!!
its odd, many countries have issues, but we never discuss them whenever someone mentions they want to go back to pak, you alwyas get the 60percent saying they shouldnt, or giving them a bullet by bullet lecture on the conditions of pak-as if the person wanting to go didnt know already!!!!!
not true, there have been similar debates about middle east and even India here. In the end it is all about comparing pros and cons regardless of the country. Pakistan has its own sets of pros and cons, so there is no harm in discussing them.
@ Princess87- Thanks for the encouragement, you can fully understand what I mean, even though I was born and bred in the UK I'm never going to be accepted as English and always felt at home in Pakistan.
@nadz123- My wife is from Pakistan and she's happy to go back, I won't repeat what she says about life in the UK here as it contains a lot of expletives lol, but I've been thinking about moving long before I got married.
Hey Asif
Well done on your principles and inshALLAH it will work out
The advice given to me was focus on Multinational Companies rather than Pakistani owned companies
I will pm you when I have researched it myself too