Pakistani American student to peers: Let’s set an example of ‘the Pakistani dream’

My fellow children of Pakistan,

February 14, 1997 in Lahore, Pakistan I was brought into this world as a full blooded Pakistani. Then a little over one year later, added to my blood was the culture of the United States. My life has been a melting of two different cultures that I hold dear to my heart and having lived with both I have seen the positives and negatives of both. Whenever I think about this I feel that I have a responsibility to sisters and brothers in Pakistan to tell them of my experience and advise them based off of what I believe.

In Pakistan, there has been this thought for some time that one needs to escape the country and seek a new life elsewhere. So, they pick up their bags and settle into their new lives without looking back. They move to places such as Britain and the United States and almost never look back. They follow what we in America call “the American Dream.” It’s the concept that anyone from any background, ethnicity, religion, can accomplish the greatest of things if they work hard and put in the effort to make their lives better.

By DFID – UK Department for International Development, via Wikimedia Commons

So, I pose this question to you, what is the Pakistani dream? What is your vision for not just your future but your peers, your children, your nation as a whole? Living in the United States I hear all the time of the American Dream. A dream that says anyone no matter their wealth, creed, or religion can accomplish anything and reach the top.

Many politicians, wealthy businessman, and superstar athletes have benefited from this dream in spite of their background. And I say if my brothers in the United States can do it then why not my brothers in Pakistan who don’t know when their next meal will come? Why can’t they go from nothing but “street trash” to Prime Minister?

I am sure, they can. They just need the drive to fight their way up the ladder knowing they can accomplish what they want and take advantage of EVERY opportunity no matter how big or small it may be. Sure, there are challenges, but the Pakistani youth have the ability to overcome these.

 Time goes by quickly. There is a common misconception in Pakistan that your social status and your self-respect solely rely on your profession. This is a mindset that the youth must fight!

It is not the job that makes the man, it is up to the man to work and make the job into something useful and something worth respecting. Do not just blindly go for a profession because it makes the most money or because your parents push you towards it. You must do it because you are passionate about it and it drives you. Do what makes you happy and excel at what you do so that what you do inspires those around you to be better. This is the only way you can allow for upward mobility so that even the poorest of the poor can reach the top of the ladder and achieve finally “the Pakistani Dream.” So, I strongly feel that the Pakistani youth, if you have a goal accomplish it, if you have passion for it do it, and if you have a dream then LIVE IT.

Best of Luck.