WHY DO PAKISTANI YOUNGSTERS WANT TO MOVE ABROAD?

“There is not a single reason but a bundle of reasons. First of all, the vast area of opportunities and careers is not available in Pakistan. Unemployment is also a big reason for this. Many people, first of all, get their education for 16 years but as soon as they go to the market they find there are no jobs. This thing frustrates the Pakistani youth and they look for the option of going abroad.”

“Another basic reason is the lack of recognition of someone's work. For example if a person is very intelligent. And he has earned gold medals throughout his career. He will not be honored by the government in such a way, he deserves. This thing causes the disappointment to the young people of Pakistan and they think about going some other country where they can earn the respect they deserve.[1]” 

“Corruption is another basic factor. And it is the greatest reason indeed. Many people take the right of the competent person. And this action hurts him/her and they try to avoid this situation and they try to fly towards some country where their things are done on merit. Corruption is indeed one of the main issues of Pakistan. For any reasonable job or any work you must have a source or you have to bribe someone, this is also the reason why there is no value of skills, talent, and merit here.”

This creates a difference between Pakistan and any other developed country. Youngsters have lost their hopes here and are planning to migrate outside. . 

“In abroad they get all these things at no cost. In abroad they get all things without any reference or contact. In addition to doing a job they also carry their studies. These are the main figures and facts that explain why our youth is shifting to abroad. All intellectuals are just moving abroad because they want to secure their future and if some company abroad is giving you all the facilities anybody would love to go abroad. If in Pakistan, our government starts such a program and starts paying attention to the issue of brain drain.” 

“Around 48.7% of young people in Karachi want to leave the country, said Ammad Zafar of Karachi University Public Administration Department.”

“Their reasons include unemployment, insecurity, economic problems and lack of social support and career opportunities in Pakistan.”

“Zafar presented his research paper, titled 'Determination of Youth Emigration', on the third and final day of the international conference, titled 'Managing Megacities 2016', at HEJ Auditorium in KU, which was organized by the varsity's public administration department in collaboration with Shar School of Public Policy and Government, George Mason University.[2]”

“About 2 million Pakistanis have traveled abroad in the past three years for jobs, more than 953 people have moved to Saudi Arabia, 670 traveled to Oman, 845,000 moved to UAE, more than 23,000 moved to Bahrain, 45,000 to Malaysia and 277 moved to Qatar. They moved abroad because of job issues in Pakistan.”

“Mostly our new generation, whether they are educated or uneducated, want to go abroad. They think that they might have better opportunities to build their education and career abroad than in Pakistan.”

“Secondly, the currency difference between Pakistan and any other country makes people more thoughtful about moving abroad.” 

“As there is a huge difference for example: when we convert $ into Pakistani rupees it becomes more than double, their families spend their lives in comfort and luxuries. Mostly it happens that one person of a family lives abroad and earns money for the family, as it is not easy to earn here.”

“Violence and terrorism had been a real and persistent threat in Pakistan. This is not a minor issue; this is the issue of life and death. No school, university, college, shop or office is safe here. Hundreds of people die in terrorist attacks, car attacks, suicide bomber attacks, rocket launchers and with automatic weapons, no one can go freely here. They always have a fear of terrorist attacks, no life is safe and yes everyone wishes to live in a safe place.[3]”

“I have noticed that for some reason, people have developed a fantasy to go abroad as they think they might look more modern, stylish and graceful, more educated in the eyes of other Pakistani friends and family, and yes some Pakistanis actually think that they are more superior than others, they have a more blessed life than others but this is wrong, no one can become superior or better by going abroad or living there.”

“It is not easy leaving one's family and homeland. If issues get resolved here, then no one would want to go abroad, no one hates their country, nor want to leave their country. The government should take actions regarding issues highlighted above and work for the betterment of the country by promoting peace, eliminating corruption, providing jobs for people, improving sanitation, making education easily available and of the same quality for all living classes.” 

References 

[1]https://travel.blurtit.com/104164/why-pakistani-youth-want-to-go-to-abroad-whats-the-reason-behind [2]https://tribune.com.pk/story/1186638/growing-uncertainty-48-7-youth-karachi-want-leave-country#:~:text=KARACHI%3A%20Around%2048.7%25%20of%20young,and%20career%20opportunities%2C%20he%20explained. [3] https://www.parhlo.com/pakistani-crazy-about-going-abroad/