Actually whichever way we look at this question, or whatever color we try to give it, sooner or later, as an immigrant to whichever country we make it to, its always going to be the same problem of being an immigrant in an alien land. As an immigrant in any country an alien will have a tougher job of getting himself established, and since most of the people there will see an immigrant or an alien as an encroacher upon their land and job opportunities, this will certainly cause them to hate that alien, unless the immigrant has skills not found in their job market or has come from his home land with a large amount of money to set up an enterprise in the new land beneficial to the public there. Its just about the same as a student in a foreign land is of value to that government as he or she is a source of capital to the college or university. Well, the question again which comes before us, as we plan to immigrate is that, will we be accepted with open arms in that land? how well will we do there, financially and socially? Or are we going to jump into something we know nothing about? Remember the grass always looks greener on the other side.

I would not actually disagree with Nousheen but would correct her that when a person is away from his/her people. He/she definitely is in a state of home-sickness, so they will to return.
In my opinion, when a person from a third world country is studying in one of the top universities of the world. His intellectuality increases by great level. There are several questions which struck his mind about his/her tradition, culture and the condition of his homeland , which actually leads to the increase in the desperation to return to his/her homeland and make it a perfect place for his/her people to live. The phrase that “why young Pakistani expatriates are choosing to return home” cannot be used for an incomfotablity faced by Pakistani , because a Harvard graduate can get an average starting salary of $50,000-60,000 quite easily. So the only reason which I see in ‘Pakistani expatriates’ returning to Pakistan is that an hetrogenous mizxture of culture teaches them in how to make a barren land a soothing place to live.

Regards,
Hammad.

I know quite a few people with great jobs and nice home who moved to Pakistan in last 5 years to raise their families in Pakistan. They are still there and don’t want to come back to US. These are not loser but people with good money. I have lived in America for past 25 years and hold a master. I have a good job and good life. I also own a house in Pakistan. Every time I go there and spend 1-2 months I feel much relaxed and peaceful. Since most of my family is in Pakistan and friends too I am also moving back. I think people who do not want to move have one of following issues.
1. Most of their family is outside of Pakistan.
2. Their living conditions in Pakistan are not adequate during their visits. Water issues, poor housing and no generators A/C ect.
3. They don’t have much money saved so they can’t recreate America in Pakistan.
4. They have older kids who have been Americanized and don’t want to move to a “Foreign” country.
5. They just don’t Pakistan and care more about money and superficial things.
My two cents..

Pakistan had been experiencing a brain drain since the partition for various causes.
The newly born Islamic Republic of Pakistan had only inadequate resources to deal with the negative employment situation at the time.
The adverse condition kept on further deteriorating to a point, where the public including the intelligentia, started to go abroad looking for work.
The poor country started her life in turmoil. Soon after, the father of the nation had passed away, the prime minister had been assassinated, and that had further added to a chaotic scenario.
Furthermore, the military was encouraged to take over. Dictators after dictators for a few decades did not let the institute of democracy flourish. In addition, as a result, Pakistan is still in trouble.
Pakistan did have the highest rate of un-employment among the highly skilled and technically educated post-graduates.
Although sentimentally inclined towards motherland, yet food on the table is a necessity, for which there is no other avenue left but to move away.

However, now it is a different case scenario, as these migrants are forced back due to a recession worldwide. They are loosing their jobs. The manufacturers are lured into making more money by moving their factories and businesses elsewhere to India and China.

Since Pakistanis including the brainers cannot go to these countries, therefore they are heading back to Pakistan.
Some Pakistanis are coming back because of their inability to stay abroad any longer than their immigration-status would actually allow them.
Some have decided to come back, because they are fed up with the discrimination.
A lot of people came back, because they were so much attached to their homeland emotionally.
On the contrary, the kids born to the expatriates have no feelings for Pakistan and, hence. they are called confused desies.

We can see a lot of opportunity in Pakistan after so much destruction.
Most of the people are still hesitant to re-settle in Pakistan because of the ground realities.
But, if Pakistanis are united together, they would definitely bring a long awaited positive change to the country of their own.
For achieving success, however, the elimination of VIP & Fuedal culture in Pakistan is urgently needed.

“Where there is a will, there is a way” ——————————–is the key.

As an old Tehreek e Pakistan Student Karkun/Pakistan Movement Student Worker,I had participated actively in Pakistan Movement (1946 , 1947) and was injured many times.Many students,men,women sacrfied their lives.I survived and continued struggle for freedom from British rule and kept on struggling under the Dynamic Leadership of our Great Leader Quaid e Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah (Founder of Pakistan).I was lucky to see the Azeem Quaid e Azam from close distance in 1946 and in 1948.
Alhamdolillah,we succeded to get our Dear Country PAKISTAN.
People like me who had participated actively in the Great Tehreek / Pakistan Movement,had hoped that the Pakistani Leaders and Pakistani Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will do ”JUSTICE” to the Old Pakistan Movement Workers by providing them official recognition,assistance, awards,suitable health care etc.Let the young Pakistanis,Let those young and talented,highly qualified,capable,talented YOUNG PAKISTANI BOYS and GIRLS request the PAKISTANI LEADERS,PAKISTANI POLITICIANS, PAKISTANI DIPLOMATS,GOVERNORS,CHIEF MINISTERS,OFFICIALS all drawing wonderful salaries,allowances and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Courts,Chief Justices of Other Pakistani Courts to answer to this Azeem / Great Pakistani Nation as to what they have done to the old Tehreek e Pakistan Workers during past say 60 years??? What facilities,awards etc. they will be offering to such remaining old people like your Brother Saghier Ahmed Jafri???
I simply hope that the young,talented, devoted Pakistani boys and girls may join Pakistani Politics,Parliament and all the Department so as to save our beautiful country PAKISTAN.
Saghier Ahmed Jafri

Thank you Nosheen for starting such a powerful discussion. I can see people lining up: follower, leaders, and winners…

You know hypocrates are the people who complain about too much porn on their VCR. Thus, I am not going to say anything of imperfect pakistani systems, since there isn’t a perfect system just as their isn’t a clean politician. I believe that generation X and Y are coming back and bringing thier ideas (they aren’t coming for jobsd)to create new jobs. I hope we don’t fall too much behind India, where more and more people are returning. Last I check we both have pretty much similar terrain…. So, good luck to those who are going and best of luck to those who like live here and complain about politics in Paksitan…while US Senat Seats are being sold to highest bidders.

Dear Nousheen,

I appreciate your article, and would love to believe that the new generation is coming back not due to the recent discrimination they feel in the West, not because there are more opportunities here, but because they are more invested in the future of our country.

If people are coming back due to the first two reasons, then they will be back on the first flight out of here once they find better opportunities and less discrimination abroad. The only factor that will not change their decision of staying in the motherland is their sense of contribution.

Arshad Sahab, I really do hope you come across different Pakistanis in the future.

I moved back from the US 4 years ago. We have started a field in Pakistan that wasn’t here before. I don’t regret coming back, for I have a purpose here, I am giving back. This is a irreplaceable feeling. This doesn’t mean it’s easy…it’s a challenge every day. The electricity, the law and order situation, the uncertainty is all hard to handle, but at the end of the day it’s worth it…there are some days when I don’t feel the bumps on the road anymore.

Hoping things will change one day.

Unless there is justice and rule of law, nothing could change things for better!!!
Next should be providing the necessities of life at affordable rate…. Average Pakistani can’t afford the summer electricity bill…

IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?

Please don’t fantasize about some pampered priviledged brats coming back home to the VIP status they are so used to..

We, who have worked our way to some level of affluence, are just not willing to risk it as yet…

Nousheen, a very noice article but it seems we need to do more work to bring the facts. I have been living out of Pakistan for more than 20 years now, I returned back to Pakistan twice and hadvery bad experience including one in which I was about to be killed when my car/mobile was snatched at gunpoint in a busy crowded place almost in front of the police? The crime in the city, specially in Karachi is high and done in broad daylight and seems like there is no one to control it.
I lost all my earnings because of the smart cheaters including developers / street crimes and left pakistan for good never to return back

I am a Fulbright Scholar working towards my PhD in Computer Science in USA. Whenever i read these discussions, I remember two quote from two of my professors, they keep saying it all the time, and that gives me the motivation to go back.

1. “Get Good Education, and Move to Bad Neighborhood”

2. “Can You Do It Better”

and ofcouse by Iqbal

“Aey Madar-e-Geeti Teri Herat Bhi Baja Hai
Tere Hi Na Kaam Aya to Sar Kis ke liye tha”

Regards

Zeeshan

I graduated from Toronto, Canada & after that I asked a simple question to myself. “Where I can add more value? Pakistan or Canada” & the answer was straight forward. Pakistan. I’m working in a multinational company now & living a life I could never imagine in Canada. On top of that, I realized the importance of my own country & today I’m loving my country even more. If the opportunities are not there they can be created. We just have to make up our mind. This country has everything.

Hello reader, I 200% agree with the writer I Live oversease and alsways think of going back to my country, where tons of opprtunity lines up, but all my thoughts and excitements goes to drain when I think about two basic problem still lies there which is electricity and security.

I hope there will be some change about these isssue insided pakistan, so things start moving faster towards good.

Brain Drain ? What Brain ? No Brain, no drain

I find this article very hard to believe. A few people returning is not a trend. Who would return to a country that is synonymous with violence and religous radicalization and is considered the most dangerous country in the world? Even the most patriotic would have to be scared for their life.Unless of course, they have no choice.

I totally agree with the writer that most of pakistani youth after completing their education are going back not for earning money but for good sake for it, to bring it back to prosperity and development. And I believe that if any body can bring the country in line of prosperous nation then that will be the youth of Pakistan, not American aid or our leaders. Being studying in the US, its hard for me to go back to my country and settle there but when I think of long term, I see my mother soil and my own ones fighting with extremism and isolated from rest of the world. The main difference between Pakistan and the US is obedience of law which will not be improved in our country unless everybody is educated and aware of their rights. Foreign graduated students should return to Pakistan and should play their roles in development of the motherland. Our religion also directs us to do so, whenever your country needs you, you should be there for the sacrifice. After all its our motherland___ our sweet Pakistan. You can never feel this attachment or love for it unless you are away from it. God bless Pakistan !

In my opinion it is not important to come to Pakistan to serve our country. We can do a good job from any place for our country.Like many of my Pakistani colleagues i never thought of leaving my country for any price. I gow up in a remoate village. My both parents had never been to a school as there was not school in the village. I was able to graduate from a medical school, completed MPH and PhD from USA. After MPH I returned Pakistan and served for 5 years and it was a rewarding experience. Then went to do a PhD and again returned to Pakistan. They time I had school going kids. I hardly could pay fees for their school and survival became almost imposible due to rsing cost and I returned back to the west. It is the reality for many talented Pakistanis. There is alternatives. I was able to mobilize fund and completed very important work for for my fellow villages in my home town villages. We should think of our country where ever we are and Gods help will come to us to serve our fellow Pakistanis who are now raising slogans like Pakistan say Zinda baag instead of saying Pakistan Zinda bad in the current security situation

Those who would like to go back need to realize that they would have to face the reverse cultural shock. If someone would like to settle down in Pakistan they need to understand that lot of things have changed if they are going after after long gap of time.

Media perceptions are different from ground realities there, apart from lawlessness returning expatriots would have to face issues with utilities such as frequent electric shutdowns, increased traffic on streets, pollution etc. I have seen incidences when families go there and find it difficult to settle for the reasons mentioned above. They could give atleast one year to them to get accustomed to changed circumstances.

The people in the above example are graduates of Harvard. Those guys can go anywhere they want. They are jsut going back to pakistan for a limited time so that they can improve their resumes for Grad School. And eventually they will choose to settle in the west.

During last decade great number of Pakistani professionals left Pakistan, majority of them had already very good jobs, but due to insecurity, uncertain future and above all a status symbol, they needed citizenship of a developed country. In Pakistan its very common to stay abroad for many years and still keep job especially a government job. After completing compulsory period to attain citizenship, large number of these professionals have returned to Pakistan. Is this reverse brain drain? This is one aspect, others include situation after 9/11, lack of job opportunities, lack of community hepl in settlement abroad are some other factors which force our brothers and sisters to return home.

Yes, I do agree that there are great opprtunities back home. At the same time I believe the country really needs to sort itself out.

I left Pakistan nine years ago and have one of the most lucrative jobs a person can ask for (other than being a Pakistani politician).

The one thing I believe needs to be sorted out is the political system. All of us can contribute to making a change.

The other day I upset a very dear friend by not sitting in his land cruiser as the number plate just said MNA. I believe more people doing similar stuff will bring about change.

We also need to question those kids whose dadddies are launchign their political career rather than getting impressed with positions such as @honorary consultant to the Attorney General of Pakistan” etc.

Recent graduates are returning because they cannot find a job in the west anymore. It has become very difficult to get a job lately. Most of us are happy holding on to our jobs, without any raise, right now.

Escape is not the solution.

The primary objective of the majority who migrate to other countries is the perceived lack of opportunities. There are many vices in the system that we all think we need to get rid of (just like many unwanted things that exist in every system in the world), but all those capable enough to avail opportunites abroad tend to leave the country, and what is left behind is a system without enough capable people. So this is a chicken and egg situation. I can only see one way of how we can get out of this vicious circle, and that is the government showing some intent to create more job opportunities. A case in point is India, where the BPO market has been the engine of growth of foreign corporate presence in the country. This is the easiest and most attractive way of persuading people to come back and work in the country. These foreign companies, when establishing their presence in a particular country, would always prefer to send natives of that country to work there. So this is both a push (in the companies’ interests) and a pull factor (in the employees’ interests) resulting in people returning to the country. This increased FDI then acts as a source of more opporunities created in the country, which then leads to more people flocking back, and this creates something opposite of the vicious circle we currently find ourselves in. Just like one bad thing leads to another, one good thing leads to another as well, and we have been missing that one spark of good to get us going. The deteriorating security situation in the country doesnt help to attract foreign companies (as well as local companies), but then again I consider this a direct result of a serious lack of education and job opportunites in certain parts of the country. When people are not educated, and there are no job opportunites, there is nothing for them to do, hardly any purpose of life, and they end up being easy pickings as recruits in anti government movements (e.g. the so called Taliban in parts of NWFP).
There really have to be some solid steps taken by the government to create more job opportunites in the country.

Pakistanis are returning because of recession, nothing else. More and more of us are unwanted as the economic crisis is getting severe. The real good ones will of course be required abroad and they would not return as they are not forced to do so.

For every 1 well-educated Pakistani returning home, there are 20 well-educated Pakistanis clamoring to go to the Middle East, the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada. I say that from personal experience.

Yes we need Pakistanis to return but as entrepreneurs. To invest in the economy and to transfer technology. We do not need non-resident Pakistanis to return and compete for jobs with indegenious equally competent & qualified Pakistanis.

We also DO NOT need them to return to provide political leadership. A Pakistani leader should not have lived abroad and should have none or minimal family ties in other lands. A Pakistani leader should have endured the power outages, unhygienic living conditions, bureucreatic bottlenecks etc to be an effective political leader.

This comes from a born & raised Pakistani, who left Pakistan 38 years ago – but has always, like so many others, supported and propped the image & interest of our motherland.

Pakistan has greatest opportunity, whatever media says, I have not seen more positive people in Pakistan then anywhere else in world. Whenever I visit Pakistan, I get so much inspired and I keep visiting after every four months.

Great things are ahead for Pakistan, we have paid more then our dues.
Living in Canada, we are doing and we will keep doing whatever needed for our motherland and for welfare and due respect which this great country deserves.

There will be always few folks who would like or have come back to work in Pakistan for a variety of reasons. I thought if the focus of your research was to investigate factors or reasons for not coming back to Pakistan, the tone of your story would have been quite the opposite. Enough said.

Bring Pakistan out of this political and economic turmoil, get rid of corrupt politicians and bureaucracy and you will see people will be coming back to Pakistan. But why do you even want them to come back? There is already a shortage of basic food, electricity, and basic amenities in Pakistan. You do not want to see them come back because there is nothing to offer.

Well i am an engineering (Aerospace Student), currently studying in Europe for my masters degree. I would negate the writer claim as i would say he has used some examples not fully encompassing different field of studies. somebody who see a future in NGOs , ofcourse Pakistan is a best choice these days because in America you cant find IDPs and they dont need your help. The Fullbright students , as i saw one claiming he is coming to serve his motherland, the thing is that its a compulsion that if you get this scholarship you have to come back. i have many friends with fullbright and they all are searching for the alternate ways to somehow stay in America but they are not able to. There are various other scholarships which bounds you to go back to your country and work there for a specific period of time. So it doesnt surprize me atleast. As far as, my view is concernd, I would really say that patriotism cant do anything if you are made a victim of some bomb blast, any social injustice or anything similar. I have been worked in Pakistan for two years after my graduation, and I know well how difficult it is to live even with the educated people there. The so called defence scientists of pakistan, how they play with the nation hard earned money. And what comfort they buy the money meant for making our defence strong.

Ms. Abbas,

Do you really call that a brain gain? One person returning back, after 15 years. You haven’t quoted any trend; how many Pakistani’s emigrated, and how many are now returning back? He still remains a British National, who holds a job with BBC. He wouldn’t be employed by any local agency of Pakistan where the job situation remains dismal, economy is unpredictable, industry is all shut down because of power crisis in this sweltering heat, and there is no security of life.

Please, when writing next time, quote real numbers that show a latest trend. If I can quote one, more people have pulled out of the country especially the businessmen because of deplorable situation in Pakistan. These are not even foreign nationals but who can do business abroad.

I hope you understand the point I am trying to make.

Return to Pakistan:

to live without basic necessities of life.

to see little kids begging for food on streets.

to fear for your own life.

to see corruption in every walk of life.

to see trash piled-up in streets.

BTW, it’s not all government’s fault, it is the people of Pakistan that have let their own country down. Governments are made of people and are elected by the people. Corrupt government comes from corrupt people. What have they done in the past 50+yrs to be proud of?

Is there anything good about Pakistan? They should rename that country and start all over again.

Be frank, if you really want to serve your country you never go abroad in first place.
It’s is all down to money, if you get same salary in Pakistan as in USA, YES, many people go back to their mother land even the general conditions e.g. power, transport e.t.c may not be that good; that is what happening in India they are getting almost same salaries may be little bit less that in USA and Europe, that is why they are going back, otherwise no one goes back to serve their nation.

I dont’ agree it is only political instablity & & indadequate job opportunities.
It may be driven by the desire to reach standards widely acceptable as ultimate, reach the higer level in your profession, .
Pakistanis attend schools and graduate from american insititution.
Migration is driven by the fact that it is a system of checks of balances. You go every step by step, meet the requirements, there is no reason you will not get your dream, unless it is an act of God.
There have been deviations in the Bushs’ era, however, things come back to haunt sooner or later, governors & senators get incarerated, becauses they did not follow the rules, left irrefutable evidence of guilt.
The governor of IL, a three time governor, is serving time for life, because he gave contracts & handed out few government jobs as a favor.
Martha stewrt served prison because she knew the rate may drop from her inner circles, and she sold her stocks at the right time to avoid loss.
Rod Blagaoivich may hear the judgment soon.
If a public servant knows ahead of time that a certain governement project will kick off, that would increase the land value, and he buys it at the right time, he would be in trouble.
But something like that happens in Pakistan, and the doer may still act like an angel.

I am working in Canada for last 4 years, yes the only problem of Pakistan is law and order and justice. If this is resolved, Pakistan will become the best place to work. no doubt. Long live Pakistan.

The ones who are returning are the ones with connections in places you need. They are the ones born with a silver spoon in their mouth. The path has already been paved for them so they choose to go back because it is much easier & smoother than to work their way up if they stayed in a country where they would have to start from scratch, so please spare us the hypocrisy.

I know only one thing.Escape is not the solution.Stay and fight for change.If you moved, there will be no process of change.

I had been trying for along time to go back to pakistan. I am a retired person and thought I would easily adjust myself in the country. But I had bitter experiences and I agree with a no of commentators that the present inhabitant of pakistan are not ready to accept you in the country.I will give you an example. You want to buy apiece of real estate. you look like a foriegner. The price triples instantaneously Same is good for other items and transportation. Besides the Law and order situation
Jaffery

Nousheen – Reading your piece, one would be forgiven for thinking that, all Pakistanis study at Ivy League universities.

Of the Pakistanis studying in America, I am sure that less than one percent are enrolled in the Ivy League colleges.

I have been residing in the UAE for the past 14 years and this country leaves no opportunity to shout at you that we do not belong here! We are as good as our visas and once you loose a job you’re out…

The West is far better than our ummah brothers. They give us citizenship, and they look after our needs. And still there is no shortage of idiots who says these white people are bad… Some muslims are so ungrateful.

In response to one of the coments:
Recognized Professional certifications are the best way to get yourself accepted, make up the difference with a graduate from a top tier schools.
Standardized & recognized exams should be the way to avoid nepotism, corruption, & to screen out, for admissions into professional institutions, high paying employment.
Regular Retraining in different fields should be the way to keep the employees competitve & employed, even with changing demands.
Any country can become the best place to live, if they have a rule based system and applied consistently, and everyone is accountable, regardless of position, family auro, feudal connections, strings in the military, government, corporations etc.
I think the real happiness is when a person person himself is disciplined regardless he lives in Pakistan or the USA, goes by the rules, accept shortcomings and repent, do what is right, delay reaction, do not over react, do not succumb to emotioanl presssures & needs, do what is just & balanced, and do it all out of fear of Allah, to earn rewards from Allah, not for namesake.
I think justice & truth only comes out, when a person takes himself out of the picture, to evaluate the situation.

Another interesting observation; one of the bloggers wrote that even the President only visits pakistan sometimes … that is quite interesting. Indians aren’t like that .

But the bigger question is WHY? Why pakistan is in this kind of state.

After “listening” to all the previous comments…one can only say that going back or not is an issue of one word: sacrifice!

If you want to sacrifice what you have now then you will find yourself on the plane back home, otherwise you will find enough to whine about and mock others sacrifice.

Having myself moved out of the homeland 20 yrs ago, and then returned for 4yrs to live here, I can say I have experienced both brain drain and “reverse” drain!

So i can say i enjoyed my 4 yrs back home inspite of all the troubles and NO i didn’t come back to USA because of those troubles, rather an oppurtunity knocked on the door so came to fullfill it and even today my bags are packed to leave any “hour” not any “day”

So those of you criticising Nosheen need to experience both sides of story as i did in my life experience of last 2 decades, and you will see nothing replaces the virtue of sacrificing what you have for what you don’t have. But only those sacrifice who have a big heart and the will, otherwise the world is replete with selfish folks out there who don’t want to give up their comfortable luxuries or even taste how it feels living without basic necessities of life? Like the 170 million do everyday!

Janab, Dear, Let me tell you, how impossible it is for any one with little intelligence and honesty to come back to Pakistan.

We are seriously messed up, our leaders are the symbol of corruption, and nepotisim. Every leader, every leading businessman, every bureaucrat, children of Higher Court judges, they all are out of the country, so why not a son of ordinary pakistani should venture his luck.

Hello every body

i agree with the writers that there is huge potential for any one who like to come back to serve the motherland Pakistan .There are so much un-tapped opportunities and a whole market is available for over 160 million people.

After living abroad 15 years I personally feel, Pakistan is a land which is better than any other developing countries, only here we lack in Pakistan is the law and order and personal security.

If these two menaces are addressed properly I assure you I am ready to come back today with all my pleasure but as long these issues are there the brain drain will continue, human capital will continue export to the other countries.

It is good to have these patriotic feelings at the end we are Pakistanis, ever ready to serve the mother land.

After reading an article that lit a candle of hope in hearts of expats like me, I ended up reading comments which might be more realistic, but not portraying a very hopeful and healthy picture for any of us to return. I, just like many of you, have lived, worked and experienced life out of Pakistan, yet my heart always wept over the economic, political and social turmoil here. Every once in a while a small incident, a small news article, a small documentary or a small personal experience makes me think that finally things are changing and finally at least our generation has felt the need to change, has realized its responsibilities and things can be set forward that might bring in the much needed change. But all those hopes left me with more hopelessness as consistently these news articles, documentaries and personal experiences were always followed by a heap of news articles, documentaries and experiences painting a very murky picture of Pakistan. In my opinion, we do need articles like this to keep the desire burning, and we also do need comments like these to tell us the true story. However, what we need more is a platform, a think tank, a group of intelligent, capable and patriotic Pakistanis to come forward and selflessly start working together for the piece of land we call our homeland. This generation of ours need nothing more than just a direction and we can see the change we all yearn for and dream of every single day of our life.

Hey Guys ! Its great to hear that Pakistanis are coming back. For you, to do this at this time, is all the more courageous & strong willed than us ( who see better oppurtunity to excel than in US )
Just 1 simple request. Stop in Lords en route. And make sure that T2o cup stays here in Indo-Pak. Wishing you all the best for semis & the final.

All Pakistani’s who have opted to live outside their own country and have abandoned the land that is their own have lost their privileges to criticize the country. Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

Pakistani expats say ‘Bring law and order, we shall come back’ to them I reply: If you can’t be a part of the change, we don’t need you to come back after the change has come. It’s like asking for a revolution but not wanting to be a part of it. Demands like these are selfish and cowardly really. Makes me feel like such Pakistanis are ashamed of their identity and are willing to be third grade citizens in first world countries rather than first grade citizens in their own thus reeking of border-line racism against their own kind.

Cowards hiding behind false justifications of self righteousness leave their country for personal and individual pursuit of success. If all you educated Pakistani’s leave, who can bring the change to this wonderful country and its beautiful people.

I was in Dublin for three years of my life pursuing an undergraduate degree, soon after graduating I returned knowing that we the people are the change that can bring this nation to its zenith.

Yes it’s difficult and without doubt there is a need to make sacrifices for a cause that might not be realized during our lifetime. But its better knowing that you fought for a cause, for your people, for your nation rather than departing from this world with the mediocre satisfaction of feeding your own personal wants, needs and agendas.

VIVA LA PAKISTAN!!!!

I think its a personal choice of where one thinks to settle in life. However apart from the finances and infrastructure requirements that make a contributing factor for one to settle in West, the important factor is to contribute positively to society where ever one settles.

Yes thinks have to be done for Pakistan, however its the overall security environment and infra-structure that needs to change, before REAL expats would start coming back.

Make no mistake the majority of expats are people who have a demand in West for their services for which they are rewarded financially and through better standard of living. Unless they find their value in Pakistan and to be valued, very few will make a choice to go back to Pakistan on merely basis of patriotism. Its the substance over the form which counts at the end!

I guess all the points stated in this blog are true. Everyone is speaking from his or her own experiences in life as to why we should not return to Pakistan and why we did not opt to go out of Pakistan.

My vote will still go in favour of young Pakistani’s coming to back to our beloved homeland. Be it because of the current economic situation around the world, or because of the backlash against Muslims and specially Pakistani’s due to the current situation in Pakistan. But let me ask you a question? Doesn’t every journey starts with a small step??

Yes probably the number of expat Pakistani’s returning is lesser than people wishing to leave Pakistan. But isn’t it a start? Someone has to show the way. Even if one small region in our country starts to function normally, it will be an achievement for those who did start it. This young generation has realised that our country has problems and in massive amounts. One would wonder where should we start, but if even one person has started to tackle these issues, I believe its a positive sign.

In defense of those who wish to leave Pakistan, yes the issues are there and at the end of the day we have to think about ourselves and the well being of our families.

Do we not need good minds to function this state of ours?? I do believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but how long the tunnel is, only Allah knows. I hope that this reversal even though small, will turn into something big and positive for our country.

Mall Allah bless our beloved country with his blessings…Ameen !!

It sounds so good that young people are returing back home with the intention to serve their homeland however it contradicts with the reality. From experience I know that majority of the people will not go back to Pakistan if they are well settled abroad. Only those who don’t have anything left abroad will return. Nonetheless there are few individuals who would like to go against the odds, they are the ones who are returning to back to make a difference. I hope they succeed and set examples for others so that the number multiplies over the years.
I know deep down every Pakistani would like to see the nation prosper but the conditions are worst at the moment, obstructing this very throught!

I have lived all my life in UAE seen many up’s and down’s of life and worked and lived with many nationalities.

each time i visit pakistan the feeling that surrounds me for the initial few days or weeks is very romantic but then i face the realities.

I always wanted to move back and earn my living in pakistan but could not decide becuase of all the reason’s mentioned by others in this blog. but now i dont want to make only a living in pakistan but i also want to make a difference to those i will work with and to the country.

I have realised one thing that i am pakistani and will remain pakistani so i am ok with the lack of every thing but atleast this something is mine to keep.

the path to pakistan’s recovery is not IMF and NATO or anyone else they dont have any positive attachments with pakistan.

it is the only the pakistani’s who can do something for themself.

The Pakistanis living abroad must nt be disillusioned by the present mess. A crisis which does not break a nation only serves to make it stronger. I am sure the nation will come out of it as a stronger and more unified force. The counrty is rich in material and human resources; the day we got an honest leader we’ll be on our way to progress. I am currently studying in Netherlands and have all the intention to be back to my county as soon as I finish my education. Pakistan Zindaabad.

A big reason for the reverse brain-drain is the global recession and the resulting layoffs. I know of several Pakistanis in the Middle East as well as in Europe who have been struggling to find a job after having been laid off, or graduating fresh from university.

In this way, the global recession may be a blessing in disguise for Pakistan, but only if the former expats find enough opportunities to keep them in Pakistan once the recession is behind us.

My suggestion to returning expats would be to start their own businesses from their dollar/pound/dirham savings rather than work for someone.

well on this article i will say that our generation has wat it takes to make a difference but(as there always is one) i dont see it happening… there are so many problems in this country that it will take nothing less then a BLOODY revolution to make a difference and my friends i dont see that happening!
why?

I really dont have an answer for this why cuz that is something which we all need to figure out or maybe we all already have but then we dont have a medium or a platform where we can start or IF by any chance we do find one there FEUDAL LORDS with their family members in the government wont let this organization do their jobs so no1 is even willing to try
in the end i will only say we all still have hope and if by Allah’s miracle something like that start i will come and join that for sure!
Good Luck

I do not agree with the belief that “only people who are living abroad for their personal motives can only bring a change to this nation.”

We, who are living day in and day out in this land, are much more optimistic and strong enough to make this change happen without the help of these expatriates.

There return will only make a difference if they will have a deep resolve to change themselves first.

I think the article is food for thought.Lets not reject it without discussion and evaluation.
I agree that opportunities are more in countries where their are problems.
I think few things should improve (law and order is foremost and then availability of power and water), then i guess that most of the people would return from overseas.
Pakistan can progress and overtake many other countries within a short period.
I read a book sometime back which stated that if industries would not have been nationalized during PPP first govt,the local industrialist would have overpassed Tatas and Birlas in India( based on their rate of progress at that time).I fully agree with the writer comment.
It is still not very late

having high hopes is goood, but plz be realistic…
do u really think yough ppl abroad will ever think of returning back???i guess only exceptions prevail as u mentioned some of them in ur article..
ppl are returning only because of their own selfish interest…either they are not treated well or have lost the job….
this could be a blessing in disguise …and i hope those returning back can do any goood to our nation..
else i wont criticize ppl who studied here and are settle abroad..atleast we are getting remittances which is a much needed help from them..
i myself agree that ppl should make this nation strong and this could be done only when ppl sacrifice lucurative opportunities abroad and stay back in these miserable conditions prevailing in PAKistan….

(Based on my experience)
Dear Pakistani fellows,

If your dear one is in a good position in the Ministry or in civil & army bureaucracy or member of provincial and national assemblies and who can promise to help you, than you are most welcome.
Otherwise prepare to pay bribe to secure any decent job start any initative,
Or the best way to stay there (abroad) and do your job and boost your career.

Good Luck

It is very heart warming to read that many Pakistanis want to come back to their land of origin. I went to the US almost 30 years ago, studied there and worked with the best R&D company in the world for about 20+ years and about 7 years ago returned back to India. Some of my best friends are from Pakistan who studied with me and have been exttremely successful professionally and financially and I am sure they would also want to contribute in sharing their knowledge, experience, education with their fellow contrymen in Pakistan. What is needed is the environment that is conducive for these folks to come back and create more wealth, jobs, businesses, and elivate poverty in the country. Fortunately Indian leadership has been doing reasonably well job on that front. I just hope that civilain leadership in Pakistan looks at this as an opportunity and latches on it. While leadership is working on this, Pakistan must take on terrorists head on and eliminate once for all. Recent events are giving extremely bad name to Pakistan and millions of Pakistanis at home and abroad. This is unfortunate but still all is not lost. As a friend from India, I would like to see my Pakistani friends come back to cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and so on so that one day I can visit them and enjoy my favorite biryani…..

For all those who want first better opportunities, law and order, etc.

Why don’t you come back and build Pakistan the way it is required. No one can provide us what we expect we have to start on our own, so start as one for millions to follow.

Will any Pakistani return leaving their comfort zone and come and face taliban. Give the choice,many people will like to leave the country.

I am seeing even Pakistanis in US that are laid off working in meat shops and grocery stores, but not think of going back. Going back to what? Tell me, are there good institutions, companies etc that pay good wages to a Pakistani coming back? Unless of course your dad is in the army, defense insitutions or the government and of course the old feudal lot? Hardly. I know young Somalis going back to their country from US and dying in wars there, sad.

Some people want to return but they don’t as they see the problems we are facing are big and they think that they are insignificant to resolve the problem.
I wonder how Muhammad Ali Jinnah(before he because “Quaid-e-Azam”) thought about the problems that Muslims were facing at that time which were quite bigger than they are facing now. If he thought like some of the brother & sister commented above(who don’t want to comeback) things would have lot different.
So don’t think that problems are big and we don’t want to come back and this nation might lose another Quaid-E-Azam, Allama Iqbal, Dr Qadir Khan, Imran Khan etc

I am a Pakistani living abroad. I think it is still too early to say that things got so better that people should start returning to Pakistan. We may have become very rich by working outside the country and some people may say that we should be considered nothing less than absconders. However we have been a source of foreign exchange for the country and we left the country because it was so difficult to meet the economic pressures. I believe that we were very lucky to have left the country prior to the advent of the cranky taliban. It sounds very rude but reality always bites. I feel really bad for the people who are trying to come out of Pakistan but do not get the opportunity.

Money is secondary. If the country can provide us at least safety than no problem in returning. I am sure that people will rally behind the present government if they can remove this major irritant called taliban.
Please do not take me as a traitor because I also love Pakistan but definitely make good use of all my senses.

This article somehow implies that it is very important Pakistanis living abroad come back for Pakistan to improve.

I am not a Pakistani but I have seen the impact of this reverse brain drain here in Bangalore, India.

It is not all positive (though there have been some benefits). Reverse brain drain leads to price rise. It also means more people competing for a limited number of opportunities(especially in our part of the world).

Lastly, in our countries – we have large numbers of educated, smart , well qualified people. It is important to create opportunities for them – not romanticize about the return of the ones that abandoned us for a better life in the West.

What! Pakistanis come back home! Are you serious? Even your own President visits Pakistan occassionally.
The feudal system has to go before Pakistan can be rebuilt. The feudal lords are a much greater menace than the Taliban sorts. These power elites are impeding progress. How will anyone generate jobs, where power is centered around a feudal elite. Not everyone can get an NGO job, which seems to be best employment at the moment.

Living in a western country for past 20 years. I can say for myself that I would like good leadership and law and order, which will create opportunities for expats itself. We do not need to campare ourself with any other nation, we know what we are lacking.

These students u r talking about are not expats…..they are students , fresh graduates, recently employeed …Look for people with more years of work experiences , possibly citizens, USA, UK canada etc…not students or fres start ups

It is simple..
If you are consigned to a country, group, religion, job, you should experience of life out of it.
People should keep changing their residence, living style, job, often. Life becomes more wholesome with experience on other side.
I guess there are too many beautiful things to do in every country. Creator gave inalienable right to everyone to enjoy it.

Just should not become pain to anyone else.

You got only one life, that too is limited.
Why leave any experience [ legitimate of course] aside…

If Pak worked to seriously improve its security situation, folks would return in droves…

This is a Pakistani who had numerous opportunities to go abroad, initially for education, than for work, even turned down immigration opportunity over the love to this country, comfort gained from living here as a A class citizen and dynamic work opportunities availed here. After visiting different parts of world, seeing my fellow Pakistanis with identity crises, struggle to be a part of developed societies, I have no regrets whatsoever on my decision to stay in my motherland.

I am an engineer turned economist, now in financial journalism; in pursuance of personal goals with no intentions to serve this country have, in essence, contributed a lot in terms of imparting knowledge gained to fellow countrymen by delivering lectures at university in remote area, by generating employment opportunities as a manager as well as a lazy brat (by outsourcing my personal chores to poor middle class people).

The point I would like to emphasize here is that even a naïve person, like me, can attribute a lot to the poor and rural migrated people; those graduated from top notch schools in world, experienced from world top employers and lived in most cultured societies could do wonders to fellow countrymen while maximizing personal utilities. In economic terms, it is a Win Win scenario.

I am a Fulbright scholar studying at a college in the U.S. I am returning to Pakistan in July with a very positive attitude. We need be optimistic. No wonder the world has gone global and there are millions of opportunities available in the western countries, but we belong to Pakistan. I would never leave my parents when they need me the most and Pakistan is our homeland. It is a unique country. If we struggle there is nothing that we can not do in this amazing country. I have an excellent education from Pakistan that helped me getting scholarship. I joined a bank in Pakistan as an intern without any references or connections. After working very hard for three months as an intern I was given a job in the same back. We have amazing potential that needs to be utilized. Pakistan will change for better. A prosperous future is definitely a realty. At least I don’t want to be among those people who would regret that they didn’t serve their homeland when it needed us the most.
Pakistan Zindabad!

There is a vast majority of people who want to serve their country; its nice to know that we can have some hope of reverse brain drain! If our so called government can establish its writ; eradicate the menace of terrorism to a significant degree; provide some hope and foundation for a better future; i believe most of us would love to head back and live and prosper in peace in our beloved HomeLand!

Born nearly half a century ago, I might now have other priorities and expectations than some younger expatriates; whatever the case, I am actually looking forward to moving back long-term from this rainy, saturated European society to sunny Karachi. As a freelance technical translator, I haven’t had any problems working from there for my European clients either. So the option of returning per se is certainly one to value and keep open.

Last night there was no electricity in Karachi for the whole night!!

We who have lived in the west, find it unacceptable that whoever is running Pakistan, cannot even supply the basic needs of the people.

Until such time that Pakistan can provide personal saftey, basic sanitation, water and electricity, I think its only going to be a dream to bring the talent back or even keep it in the country.

Of course I want to return to Pakistan myself, but at the moment there are a lot more deserving countries in the world who needs us.

In Pakistan’s defence, a lot of progress has been made recently and if the pace is kept, soon this dream will be realized inshallah.

Ihave worked and lived several years in Europe now iam back in Pakistan working on ADB project. I think it is good to be in Pakistan even with certain difficulties ie corruption,loadshedding and law & order. Here you feel the self being.

Nosheen,

It would have been nice if you would have provided some evidence to back up your claim. Forgive me for disrespect but you sound like a typical Pakistani politician who speaks without facts.

Pakistan is yet to provide its people with basic infrastructure. I have friends who invested money in call centers in Pakistan, some even moved to Pakistan with their families. Every one of them within two years returned to States. They all had similar complaints, lack of electricity, water, dedicated employees etc.

I returned to Pakistan twice without even trying to get a job abroad. I worked in Pakistan for 16 years befire moving to UAE.

What is frustrating in Pakistan is the corruption and lack of justice.

If the justice systm is only improved in Pakistan, it will lead the world.

Insha Allah.

The 99% of educated expat would never think of returning back to Pakistan under current conditions who would like to come and suffer the corrupt governance.
There are few idealist youth who would like to come back to Pakistan but when exposed to ground reality their dreams are shattered

Dear Nausheen,
As far as ground realities are concerned,I don’t think any expetriate is ready to come to Pakistan.But being an optimist,I wish for this revolution.May our young blood stop this brain drain!
Ameen!

Dear Nousheen,
Being a patriotic Pakistani,I really wish if we all Pakistanies only think for our land.May the frustrated Pakistani young blood stop this brain drain and bring a revolution in our paradise!AMEEN.
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN!!!!!!!!!1

The reason most of these people are returning to Pakistan is because of the post 9/11 envirnoment and present economic crisis in the West.The job oppurtunites have almost dried up plus you are competeing with other nationalities like Whites,Mexicans,Chinese ,Indian ,Russians and what not.(I’m taking about the Engineering occupation here in the US and I’m sure people in other occupations face a similar predicament).Nor does a degree from an American University hold the same value like it used to unless you are lucky enough to attend MIT,Stanford,Caltech or other Ivy league US school.It may come as a surprise to folks in Pakistan that standards here at American Universities have deterioriated badly !!
15 years ago I made a decision of coming to the US ,at the time I wanted to out of the country like every 27 year old Pakistani guy.But now when I look back it wasn’t really a good decision.
In most cases families have been split.
Anyway sorry for the long post just wanted relate my own story.And I’m sure there are countless others who are in the same predicament.

It is not love of the country in most cases thats making pakistanis come back. Its the economic meltdown in USA, Europe and UAE thats making them come back.
The good life in USA and UAE, safety and security and freedom of expression is not to be compared with that in Pakistan.There so is the potential for growth in these countries.
There are , however, those who have American citizenships who for a change want to come back to Pakistan and try out their potential, knowing well that if worse come to worse they can always return on the next flight home to their motherland of citizenship. So where goes the love for Pakistan huh??
I request the author to please talk about reality not exceptional cases.
Thanks

Young Pakistani expatriates with good skills should come back and serve their country – change doesn’t happen over night, there’s work to be done, sacrifices to be made, how else can we reclaim our land and bring good governance. This is a rare opportunity I hope more will avail of it.

Nousheen’s piece is really inspiring and thought provoking.
Having read all the comments before me, i will just say that “when there is a will, there is a way.” With due respect to everyone’s point of view, i think it is the mindset we need to change first regarding Pakistan and the role of the youth returning home.
Till now, we have fallen behind because we have never tried to think positively. Law and order situation, issues pertaining to religion, bad governance,etc have always been there. There are so many who have fought , lived and succeeded in the samilar circumstances. However, the point to consider now is how can “WE”, the young Pakistanis, can try to bring about a positive change in our country. Nothing is impossible; only determination and strong faith to bring a good change will take us to our destination.

A good point raised!! Yes this trend is perplexing that why would a graduate from Harvard and Princeton choose to come to Pakistan when even the most affluent person is craving for peace of mind. Many of my very highly qualified university professors who had also been bought up and well settled abroad have wholeheartedly chosen to settle in Pakistan risking their career. The profile of all the people you have mentioned in your article and the ones I have also come across with are financially stable and their motives of moving back seem to be entrepreneurial and not adventure. They are selfless people who are longing to bring a revolutionary change by their positive contributions. They are working the hard way on their motto” Be the change you want to see in this world” and I strongly believe that the expatriates who have moved back by choice and not by force will have a very high potential of bringing about a positive change a subtle one though.

I suppose the main reason why so many young Pakistanis (Me being one of them) ‘CHOOSE’ to come back to Pakistan is because Pakistan today is much different then what it was, say 15 or 20 years ago. Today’s Pakistan, despite its horrifying image abroad, is indeed a very unique place for all Pakistanis – a place they can never find any where else in the world even with all the money in the world. Pakistan has undergone a lot of transformation in the 90s and 2000s and therefore is much more globalised (or even Amercanised) then what it was in the decades before while still keeping its eastern roots.

A Pakistani who have grown up in a city like Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad in 90s and 2000s would have experienced a very similar (if not same) life style to some one growing up in London or New York in the same era. Both would have grown up watching MTV and CNN/BBC, eating out at McDonalds/KFC, watching TopGun, Matrix and Friends, going to bowling alleys, attending rock concerts, going crazy for cricket and the list goes on. So Pakistan offers a very unique lifestyle which combines the two worlds of east and west in its own unique way. We would wear jeans and eat Mc Donalds one day while attend shadi/ mehdi of our relatives the next day wearing designer Kurtas and Shalwar Kamiz ….. eating nehari and halwa puri on Sunday morning to having a go at Pizza Hut ‘all you can eat’ offer in ramadan. So it is very simple – no place else can we enjoy the best of both worlds while still being the first class citizen of the country! Therefore, more and more young Pakistani would continue to love and support their country and would have no hesitation in coming back to work in their own way for a better future – in which they still believe in !

I think the only people who are returning are part of the upper classes in Pakistan. Most of the people you mentioned are from Ivy League universities in US. It seems that most of them are coming back to live the luxurious life that they cannot have in US as well as they feel that with their connected families in Pakistan they can get a piece of the bounty (Opportunity!) while it lasts. I guess some of them may also be coming back out of a kind of guilt which they feel living in US. But when you talk to most of the people who return even out of a guilt, they have a quite condescending attitude towards poor Pakistanis. So please try to dig deeper into the motives of these people rather than just celebrating there return.

Hello Guys,
Its is a very interesting article but far away from the reality.The author has given her judgement based on few expats .If she had bothered to interview resident pakistanis most would opt to migrate except those few who are corrupt and well connected who know that what is possible in land of pure is impossible elsewhere. Long queues at foreign embassies of virtualy every country in Islamabad is the living proof.
Most expats would not dare to return land of pure where even a decent living is a privilge for few although they are craving at heart.

Though this may be true in Western countries due to certain reasons, it is definitely not true in the Middle East. Pakistanis of all ranks are still flocking in great numbers to ME looking for job opportunities. Returning back home in a lawless country is rather a brain killer than a reversal of a brain drain.

Lets be positive, generate and spread positive and innovative thoughts to make Pakistan a strong and peaceful country where every one would like to go and work with pride.

I don’t think there are that many Pakistani expats who are returning back to Pakistan. Only those return who are well connected and can get lucrative positions through their connections. Most them won’t be able to make it overseas, in any case. Pakistan is still mired in bureaucracy, even in private enterprises. Everyone is needlessly ’siring’ everyone and creative thinking just doesn’t prosper under these circumstances. Government pays only lip service to the grandiose scheme they come up with. They can’t even provide simple electricity to the office building in Pakistan. Even the most passionate returnee to Pakistan will find it hard to use his/her talent. This year, Pakistani sent over SIX BILLION dollars to Pakistan. That is their best help to the country of their birth. They should continue staying away from Pakistan and save themselves from a lot of frustration which will embitter and scar them permanently.

Dear Nosheen,
As always a good article. You have a habit of bringing out topics that no one else acknowledges or discusses. I am one of those Pakistanis who is striving to go back. The situation in Pakistan though grim is in a dynamic state. This is the right environment for innovation and opportunity. The top of the pyramid i.e. the developed nations are saturated. The ever ignored bottom of the pyramid (~4 billion people in this world) is the new emerging market. Its just like India decades ago. Indians wanted to migrate abroad (the H1B geneneration) but there were some who went back and made a difference. They were pioneers every one else now is trying to get a ride on the band wagon. People who go back and work in Pakistan now will be pioneers.

There is a definite need for expats to return home. The most important aspect being the loss of identity and ones position in the society per se. I have been residing in the UAE for the past 14 years and this country leaves no opportunity to shout at you that we DO NOT BELONG HERE. We are as good as our visas and once you loose a job you’re out.

Its great to hear that individuals from such prestigious institutions such as Harvard are heading home. In case we start a support group targeting certain industrial segments, I am sure that many of us would take the next flight home.

I would appreciate to know if we have any NGO that is working on a project to help oversees Pakistanis settle back home.

Najib

I am a banker working in a multinational bank in the UAE. After having moved here a year and a half ago, i found this place to be a land of opportunities. Having over 5 years of experience under my belt, i immediately started learning the ropes of working in a foreign country. But with the economic meltdown hitting the world, the pressure of performing in an uncertain environment is taking its toll on most expatriates. The performance targets are so stiff that we have to work 12 hours a day and still are unable to meet the expectations of our bosses. It’s not us, it’s the business economy. Therefore, many of us sick and tired of the stress and ever increasing cost of living in a foreign country with little or mostly no salary increments and bonuses, have no choice but to return to Pakistan, where the cost of living is still far less than this part of the world and we actually get to save a few bucks.

I would love to go back to Pakistan any day, but i am stuck with a personal loan i took for investing in property here. There are 3 more years to go till it’s repaid and i am not sure if i will be able to keep my nerves calm till then. I am not sure if i will have a nervous breakdown or will achieve great success in the field i work in.

I was really encouraged by this piece. i must agree that a lot of young enterprising pakistanis are looking to return to pakistan. I myself am in the process of returning to pakistan as a qualified and trained cardiologist (heart specialist) after having worked and trained in london for the last 8 years. however, i must add that the old guard in Pakistan is still very resistant to new ideas, and doctors returning to pakistan face an uphill struggle. At the same time, there are many like me who feel deeply for pakistan and feel that we have to re-claim our lost glory and work towards a brighter future for pakistan…wishing you all the best!

I am surprised that based on what statistics you are making the claim of ex Pat Pakistanis returning home? Number of oppertunities is extremely limited to Western educated Pakistanis in Pakistan and in particular the oppertunities that would match with their skill and knowledge. On the contrary more and more Pakistanis desire to leave Pakistan for obvious reason. Its a shame that unlike policies of Indian GOVT, Pakistani counterparts have failed to provide suitable incestives to foreign educated Pakistanis to return home. If status quo does not change, I see a bleak future for Pakistan.

Expatriates or not, the generation X and Y is definitely better informed and better equipped to take our only home forward to new highs.

Keep it up guys. We can all be proud of ourselves.

Finally we have enough Pakistanis now who are interested in question of ‘what we are doing for our country?’ rather then ‘what has country has done for us?’.

Now experiencing the rest of the world, we know that Pakistan has done so much for us. More then anything else Pakistan will take us in even when no one else will.

After 9/11 even second generation Pakistanis were unacceptable in US. In wake of existing economic crises, Asian students and workers, who have been fueling the Australian economy for over three decades are being subjected to racial violence. I can’t imagine any of this happening in Pakistan to us.

Pakistan has already gone down to the last level. Whatever now changes in the country can only be positive. This country is in fact now a land full of opportunities and also offers respect which nowhere in the so called developed countries can be thought of.
Alone in banking sector the flow of young generation to any other country is nearly negligible. They get in Pakistan all what they dream of plus respectability and they are at home.
As one of the Chancellers of Germany often said, “The situation is serious but not hopeless” and that is presently in Pakistan.
Let us return to the country full of hopes.

I am a Pakistani student in London. I shall most likely come back to Pakistan. Pakistan certainly is not bad place to live as most Pakistanis think. And UK is not as good place to live in as most Pakistanis think. Here British have to work very hard to save money here. You earn more but spend more as well.
However, law and order situation needs to be improved a lot in Pakistan. Many expatriates fear about this.

Not many but some young Pakistani expatriates, whose parents are well connected are coming back because they can get jobs here.I know a couple of young and very brilliant Pakistani expatriates who after wasting over a year in Pakistan looking for a decent job had to return because their parents did not have right connections where it matters.

There is feeling among people living abroad to make better pakistan in our existing bleak period by improving system ,sharing expirience and knowledge.They dream that discipline,justice being elsewhere can be created in pakistan by setting examples.
At least they are currently better citizens as expatriate but the day anyone comes back becomes just likeu us after spending some time.Before coming back they should think twice “Wil they be able to improve pakistan” or they will repent as well eduated are not encouraged in our offices and organisation.
However media can improve Pakistan by spreading social education instead of wasting time in useless dicussians perturbing common man .Media can motivate people to honour those who comes back after acquring higher education and expirience.

This is a very interesting phenomenon. But i do not think that these so called young brains will make any real difference. Most of such expatriates come from parents who themselves have ”cheated the country” by deserting it when they could build it. Due to global ‘financial crunch’ these ‘bright kids’ are not finding even the odd jobs which their parents could easily bundled as ”cheap labour” Thus they pretend to serve the mother land and have a great passion for it and so they decide to stage a ‘come back’ This would definitely provide them with a second chance to cheat innocent ordinary Pakistanis, that too in the name of service to nation and country. Most of these young Pakistanis have ordinary intellectual caliber and hardly very few of them have some serious qualifications like a PhD with decent grades. Just having a degree from America or Europe does not make them Intellectuals. However, I appreciate the writer’s attempt to high light this important issue. Well done and keep it up!

Brain drain reversal for whatever causes can help Pakistan or any other developing country for that matter if, the numbers and their motivations to cause change reach a critical mass to effect changes in polity, population,industrial,educational,legal,police,bureaucracy etc, otherwise only cosmetic changes can n may happen.

Pakistan is definately in need of young talented people. The well educated people who are returning to Pakistan are not only bringing with them up to date knowledge but also a sincere willingness to make something of themselves, which they cannot do in any western country, as well as to be of benefit to their own people.

Living in a western country is not the same any more. 9/11 has sown the seeds of a new ideology with strange restrictive, unprogressive and alienating atmosphere in the western countries towards muslims. This calls for personal sacrifice to help elevate the problems of our nation through self-help.

Pakistan has become more self aware of its needs and with a greater number of avenues available to grow and enrich, Pakistan maybe the ideal destination for the young highly educated and entrepreunering.

I wish that all 170 million Pakistanis can join in and help build Pakistan.

Pakistan needs Pakistanis to build Pakistan…. That means YOU!

Dear Writer,

I have been observing your articles lately and the topics you choose to illustrate are quite interesting. I am a student at university of Ottawa and being a Pakistani I believe that if there is any hope for change, it must be based on a youth platform.

Unfortunately, the displaced youth of Pakistan is divided in ideology and therefore their commitments. Having lived outside of Pakistan, as an expat abroad, many of us feel a misplacement syndrome.

Any change that expats bring will be generated by romantic notions and usually these notions can have positive effects.

Everyone want to back their home, but due to recent situation of security,power,and heavy inflation and bad governance not allow us to back home and serve pakistan…

One of your more inspirational pieces.
However, a question mark remains that while expatriates like myself may be motivated to return in order to initiate a change, but is Pakistan as a whole willing to accept the fresh talent?

Is the traditional army and the feudalistic approach commited to involving the young and motivated in delivering the right economic and social solutions?

In one of your previous articles you highlited the plite of a family on hunger strike over a case of Karo-Kari, will such feudal lords ever change their frame of mind come what may?

Are the financial institutions strong enough to release the much needed liquid cash for us to invest and subsequently deliver the required remedies?

Its a difficult country-that Pakistan-I would salute those three or four who have returned to initiate a positive change but in all honesty, Pakistan has made the majority of us skeptical.

The international community has recognized our talent and need in a much mroe respectable manner in comparison to the ‘Land of the Pure.’ Its a global world out there with endless opportunities…opportunities even at these times of adversity..Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and the likes are not places where the young can groom, develop and realize their abilities…as you have rightly put it, these are ‘romantic notions’ but when it comes to implementing, we would rather leave that to the IMF and NATO forces…

I disagree with you Nousheen.

I don’t find anyone around me (I don’t live in Pakistan) who is willing to go back to Pakistan. It is insanity to go to a country that has been hijacked by people having so much wrong believe and faith in religion.

Nadia must be an exception, so please don’t generalize this issue based on the experience of one or few individual.