AsSalaamo Alaikum,
The other possible third umpire that I feel the country could benefit from immediately and in the long run is the overseas talent. When you look at a lot of the developing countries whose economy has boomed, I feel the real shot of adrenaline (so to speak) has been the natives who have come back to serve the country, or have set up a system of knowledge and information sharing from across the seas.
It’s no hidden secret that Pakistan has a huge pool of unutilized talent locally, but due to lack of direction and opportunities the talented individuals end up working for the wrong causes, give up hope, or just allow their talents to go to waste. The missing component of the equation in this instance I feel are the overseas Pakistani by a large majority, as well as resourceful locals willing to team up with and put the man power and money at stake for a long term investment that will pay off for generations to come.
The current issue from speaking with various people is that they do not want to go back because of the bad experiences they have had, or those they have heard who were ripped off by the local governing bodies. The spectrum of professionals ranges from Resident doctors, to businessmen who went back there wanting to serve their country, but either the rivals with vested interests ran them off by the way of threat tactics, or by using the legal system to cause them problems including but not limited to enforced bribery at the official levels.
That being said, I feel it should now become very obvious that people have to bring about change themselves. The government may have a hundred flaws, and a thousand reasons to slack, but ultimately these are all excuses that will keep the nation on the back track in terms of progress.
I feel that those talented individuals who are either Doctors, Lawyers, Businessmen, or hold other professions including technical fields will need to contribute to Pakistan with a firm mindset that they will need to do everything, to set up everything, to fund it, and put in place a thriving system that the public can benefit from. It is through this reverse brain drain that we can hope to have successful, and wealthy leaders emerge who would be able to match the financial and resourceful prowess of current elite and very likely checkmate the current pool of 'un’leaders. When you have had to earn your way to success, you truly appreciate what it takes to attain it. When you rise from the ashes, you will do everything to ensure that nation does not burn in corruption ever again, so that your coming generations never have to sweat it out for days on end in the streets just to have their rights met.
This of course cannot be an easy task. It will require the will power the like of which is only seen during extreme crises. But I do believe it can be done. Pakistanis are a resilient people who always rise to the occasion. Our ancestors left the nation with us in full faith that we would carry it forward, and make it an example for others to look up to. We have struggled to fulfill that unspoken pledge.
The idea behind this thread when I started writing was to see what WE the current generation can do for the present, and future, and perhaps our coming generations may see US in better light against the backdrop of rest of mishaps that have struck Pakistan in one form or another. Ideas and willingness to share thoughts is how we can expect to progress, to motivate each other to positively contribute to our societies where we live, become honorable ambassadors of where we and our parents come from, as well as do all that we can to give back to the land that we identify with; that is Pakistan. We owe Pakistan that. It’s not a favor, it’s an obligation that we have yet to discharge because we find ourselves engrossed in meaningless arguments, circular debates on the who’s who. We all have disappointments from the current crop of politicians, but that will not change unless we inspire a positive change that energizes the people, and from those overturned people will rise successful leaders who would want to do better for their country because it’s all they have.
I apologize for a long rant, and sermon, but this is all truly what I felt needed to be conveyed because we all care about Pakistan. We need to materialize that care into something more substantial and give back by inspiring ideas, setting up workshops that teach technical skills on volunteer basis while vacationing, and to invest in a system that would keep this talent track active for all the time to come.
Please feel free to critique, share your ideas, and experiences. We can all benefit from it, and perhaps even become ready to give a little back.