Poetry: Dear Pakistani Going Abroad
Hey everyone! This is a poem that I wrote a while ago - in fact, over a year ago - when I was desperately moved at hearing the news of another relative planning to move abroad. To be honest, this subject that has been of significant pain to me since an early age. I've seen many close family members, friends, and teachers move abroad over the years, and each time I hear of someone else planning to do the same, it hurts. To think that one would push aside their own community, the place in which they were raised, and the ties with people who are so closely related to them at the mere prospect (and not even assurance) of being able to live a better life in a foreign land is hauntingly painful.
I do, however, also acknowledge that there are quite multidimensional reasons for people choosing to leave this country. Of course, I am well aware of the unstable economic conditions, and the fact that they greatly affect the living conditions of the majority of our population. I know that there isn't as much scope for advancement in many fields here in Pakistan, as there is in many other countries. I also realize that there are many other reasons due to which people move abroad, a lot of which I am currently unaware of. Nevertheless, this had to be said:
Dear Pakistani going abroad,
STOP!
I know you’re tired.
Frustrated, even.
Maybe you’re dreaming of living in a land,
Where you can get an uninterrupted electricity supply; 24/7.
Maybe you’re fed up of having to call the tanker mafia every week,
Because water WOULDN’T just reach your house, the normal way.
Maybe you’re tired of the jobs here.
Maybe you’re looking for a place where you could get the work your qualification deserves,
And equal pay.
Maybe you’re tired of having to book a ride from a private ride hailing company every time you have to go out –
Because there is just no public transport here!
Maybe… you’re just tired of having to accept how much this third world country lacks.
Bad governments, selfish politicians, corrupt leaders –
We’ve had them all.
Inflation! We’ve observed it too closely.
Seeing our rupee go down faster than our children grow up.
We’ve had a part, break away from us.
And another part,
That our enemy badly wants to take away from us.
We’ve lived under Governor-Generals and Presidents, Military Dictatorships and Prime Ministers.
But we still survived, didn’t we?
Against all odds…
Pakistan still exists, doesn’t it?!
And YOU were born here.
You could’ve been born anywhere!
You could’ve been… a British royal or an African villager.
A Saudi prince or an American citizen.
You could’ve been Chinese or Japanese or Egyptian or Korean
or Malay or French or Arab or Swedish or German or Syrian or Spanish!
But you were not!
You were a Pakistani.
You were born IN Pakistan.
You were born FOR Pakistan.
God made you for Pakistan.
And Pakistan needs you.
You may not realize it now.
You may find it useless now.
You may think that there are better opportunities,
better living standards, better conditions; abroad.
But do you not see,
that we should have all that too?
Just by looking at the state of our country;
Do you not realize how much work there is to be done?
How much this country needs you?
How much you can contribute?
If you wish to go abroad, then by all means, GO.
See what they have.
See what we can learn from them.
And then return.
For this country needs you.
And it needs you NOW!
Hey Fatima, this is a really interesting topic you've discussed here! It's very true that the country a person grows up in is where their real roots are. It's a shame so many people leave LEDCs to move to MEDCs because they hear of the numerous advantages compared to their country and especially the sound of that one major ideal: money. Of course, there are valid reasons for moving abroad, maybe you've seen a job opportunity elsewhere that you're genuinely interested in (for example, it only exists in that one country) or you just can't make ends meet and an opportunity arises, but unfortunately people seem to extrapolate that idea these days and it's largely due to stereotypes. :/ After all, we must admit every country has its faults and everyone will realise the positives in their country after they leave it.
ReplyDeleteGreat how you started this essay by addressing the issues first! You've made a point: don't leave; but you've instantly jumped into acknowledging that the faults that exist, something the relevant person reading this may relate to, before explaining the reason to stay. It's quite an eye-opener! Abandoning one's country is such a sad thing too. The shame is that when people pursue what they envision as "better" lifestyles, they end up leaving their families and friends and the things they love all behind. I'm sorry you've had to feel this way! Hopefully they'll return when they see the values in their country as everyone later does. :) To an extent, I kind of feel this too but the opposite way? Despite the fact I've grown up in Britain my relatives are abroad so it feels like I have two homes. xD
Hey Kenza! Yes, I believe that's true even for cities, states or provinces within countries - for example, a person is likely to feel more attached to the city they grew up in, as that is where their real roots are, than the one they eventually end up living in, even if both of the cities are in the same country. It's true that the reasons for moving abroad are usually multi-dimensional and often, the person leaving finds it the only thing they can do. But you're right; people are often attracted only by money, the greed for which compels them to leave. You're absolutely right - often they realize the bright side of their country once they've left it.
DeleteThanks for such an in-depth comment! Tbh, I don't like this poem as much anymore - although I strongly stand by the idea behind it - your comment made me read it again with fresh eyes. :D Thank you! As you mentioned, I do realize that a lot of people feel the opposite way - for the people who move abroad, their children often grow up in a different country than that of their parents, and hence the perspective would be quite different, if applied to them. :) Thanks again for the comment! I'm trying to be more active on Blogger - let's see how that goes!
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Deletei agree with you Appa that poeple coudent understand pak and go away and didint come back this
ReplyDeletepoem is a big lesson for pak love this poem so much
By from your best cosin Khadija
Hi Fatima! Thank your for your poem. This really hit home so closely for me. May Allah give barakah in your knowledge and wisdom! Keep writing :)
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