Pakistanis abroad: Ismail and Ishaaq
-Illustration by Faraz Aamer Khan.
Sheer destiny – and nothing else – played a hand in ensuring that Ishaaq was born in a well-to-do and educated family. This good fortune ensured that Ishaaq was raised well. He went to private schools and learnt how to swim at the Gymkhana, where his father was a member. His mother pushed him to work hard and be diligent in his studies, as a result of which Ishaaq scored well in his O and A levels, and got admitted to a leading university in the United States. Since graduation, Ishaaq has found a cushy job on Wall Street, owns an apartment overlooking mid-town Manhattan, and has risen to a corner-office in a tall Skyscraper.
During his childhood, Ishaaq’s only friend was Ismail, the son of the maid who works in Ishaaq’s house. Ismail’s mother worked two jobs to fend for her eight children. Ismail grew up in a 2-room rented ‘house’ (if you can call it that) on the far side of the railroad tracks. Both the same age, Ismail and Ishaaq got along perfectly, studied and played together. Ismail was ‘better’ than Ishaaq in many ways; he was smarter (academically) than Ishaaq, and had a mean bowling action. But unlike Ishaaq, Ismail went to the local government school for his ‘education’ (which is all his family could afford), and that too was discontinued after eighth grade – when Ismail’s father was shot-dead during an attack on the Church that he attended. Since then Ismail works in a tyre shop near Mall Road during the day, and spends the evening looking after his mother who is now too old to work, and is suffering from Hepatitis C having consumed contaminated water from the local tube-well.
Ismail and Ishaaq are no longer in touch. Ismail thinks of his long-lost friend, every once in a while. He has heard from someone that Ishaaq is in New York, which is the capital of England. Ismail wonders how life must be there. And this imaginative detour is Ismail’s respite from reality. Ishaaq, on the other hand, no longer remembers Ismail. Between the new job, the Audi he just bought, the down-payment on the apartment, the hot girl he met at a friend’s birthday party, and the new Thai restaurant that has just opened two streets away … there is just no time for anything else.
The universe of Ismail and Ishaaq will never again collide.
And this divide, between the worlds of Ismail and Ishaaq, raises countless questions of national character and personal responsibility. Does Ismail – living in the slums of Lahore and trying to make ends meet, having never been afforded his fair share of opportunities in this life – claim anything off Ishaaq? Or can he only curse the stars for having been born in the ‘wrong’ house, at the ‘wrong’ time, in the ‘wrong’ country? And much more importantly, does Ishaaq owe any responsibility to the Ismails of Pakistan? Is his success not primarily a function of fate (much more so than his hard work)? Would Ismail not have done just as well (if not better), given the opportunity? And if so, is it not incumbent upon Ishaaq to concertedly work towards bridging the gap between the Ismails and Ishaaqs of the future? Can this responsibility really be hidden behind paper-thin capitalistic arguments of pursuing personal opportunity and happiness (to the exclusion of the larger ‘others’)?
I am aware of the fact that the proposition, as stated, suffers from generalities – many Pakistanis have shifted abroad out of sheer compulsion, or for education, and many are doing all they can for the country and her people within the modest means they have. But these exceptions do not detract from the fact that most others have simply chosen the ‘good life’, in a place without load-shedding or potholes in the road, with clean drinking water, health insurance and designer brands! Responsibility has been substituted by convenience. Virtue has been replaced by success. And, in the process, those whom divinity has blessed with intellect and inspiration, have chosen to prefer comfort over compassion, leaving Pakistan to the vices of time.
There is no legal argument to support the reversing of our national brain-drain. There is a logical case one can make, in earnest. In fact, logic dictates perhaps the exact opposite – there is very little to return to Pakistan for.
This is, instead, an emotional argument. An appeal to the mystic senses of responsibility, selflessness and compassion. Along with a fierce belief in our collective ability to turn around the destiny of our nation … not just for ourselves, or our parents and children … but for all those who sleep under the stars in this country, devoid of any hope for a better tomorrow.
We, who fate has bestowed with opportunity and privilege, owe a collective debt to that faceless Ismail who we all know exists, but we never bother reaching out to. We have all made a silent pledge, willingly or unwillingly, to carry the mantle of our national progress on his behalf. It is time to redeem that pledge. It is no longer justifiable to hide behind career commitments or personal comforts, in an attempt to avoid facing this reality.
Pakistan is changing. Small revolutions are taking place – there is a resurgent Supreme Court, a dauntless media, a new political party, privatized banking system, and a growing influx of technology in agricultural and manufacturing sectors. And these developments require intellect, passion and hard work to materialise.
Ismail has no real way of understanding or contributing to these winds of change. The country needs Ishaaq to come back. Not only because of the blossoming (materialistic) opportunities, but mostly because perhaps this way we can work towards a society where the children of Ismail and Ishaaq have a better (fairer) chance of living at parity.
The writer is a lawyer based in Lahore, with a keen interest in fundamental and constitutional rights. Previously, he was Vice President in the Global Markets & Investment Banking Group of Merrill Lynch, New York. He has a Masters in Constitutional Law from Harvard Law School and can be reached at: saad@post.harvard.edu
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
You don't get Hepatitis C from consuming contaminated water.
i am the ishaaq! i don't enjoy the so called facilities of life here in U.S. not a sinle day goes by when i don't wish my kids could have the simple, innocent childhood i had growing uo when parents used to preach to kids the true values, including how all r equal no matter which walk of life they belonged to. my only question to everyone is how do i serve my beloved country when the moment i land there i or one of my kids get kidnapped only because v have come from states? how can i not fear going back there, where human life is cheaper than a piece of bread
Hep C is not transmitted through "contaminated water", pfft Harvard, how could you!
A well meaning portrayal of disparity arising out of opportunities. Well this is the way the worldf is like. But so long as compassion does not diminish all have chance. Stop talking I,my and me. Do not rake up the boring topic of we the Indians or we the Pakistanis. it shall never solve problems.Put the bitterness behind, pool up your cobined resources and see the difference. All are the sons of Allah and equal therefore- give them an equal opportunity. Chawla
Saad Rasool's sentiments are honourable. To give them practical effect, a movement of like – minded people is needed. There is little doubt that an average person's life in Pakistan can be substaintially improved by actions of such civic minded folks. Instead of relying on disfunctioning politicians, people need to rise to their potential and work to realise it.
This applies equally to Pakistan, India and many other countries.
yes other one who was original near quetta mr gopichand r narang the scholar of urdu language whom i met yesterday he has to give up america works on urdu language as his spirit i am hindu dr returned to karachi to be professor in jpmc hospital but has leave because brother and nephew were shot and some came with guns in my ,and left london .i love my village ,my schools my friends hindu muslim because in my thar district we are not civilised to have guns and not yhat much educated to be shamful as in karach i still visit my village ,helpwhere i can .i am trying to put water wells and some tree planting if it rains
What about the daily killings all over the country? Why there is no revolution in Pakistan? Why can't we have a Khomenei in Pakistan? We need Stalin but 10 times more stern.
We need a Kamal Ata Turk!!!! Get rid of religious fanaticism. Root cause of all problems in Pakistan!!!
Everybody should contribute their fair share to help the country grow prosperous, whether one is at home or abroad. The difference is one is fighting to survive and the other is not, but still contributing through remittance and other social contributions. The people living in PK are the ones who will have to build the nation and get intelligent people elected and create a society that is tolerant and humane irrespective of religion, class or creed.
Well these two situations are extreme. I know that lots of talented Pakistanis have left due to better job opportunities abroad (may or may not be due to worsening economic situation). However there is still enough talent in pakistan which can be utilised. Individuals who have studied in good universities (in & out of the country) with meaningful experience. It is more important to utilise their talents first then to ask for return of those who have left.
Don't both rich and poor have social responsibility ? Why could not ismails father have less kids and then thinking of where the school fees were to come from. look no further than the Chinese, they set one child policy and see where it has taken their country. But then again…… I suppose it's against our "culture" to discuss such an issue. Just blame the politicians.
Well written article which is definitely pertinent to the educated pakistanis living abroad.
Each pakistani abroad should firstly be proud of his roots and be a brand ambassador for his country abroad and I hope in time many will return to serve the nation. By the looks of it, the writer himself is back to serve the country which is commendable and I hope more will follow suit.
Sorry our countries don't need traders who work on Wall Street.They will not bring any value except for hording more money for themselves. We need technicians , entrepreneurs,scientists . People who will innovate, streamline, convert discoveries to application.
We can keep on discussing different issues. How about each expatriates from pakistan helping one child to be educated at home? I think education is the back bone for the progress of any country.
If anyone in claims what the author described happens only in Pakistan, not in India they are either day dreaming or they delusional.It also shows failure of society. Among SAARC countries only Srilanka don't have abject poverty and the question needs to be asked is why Srilanka with no resources can do it and other countries have failed in it.
We should not about the relationship between India and Pakistan because both sides people are friendly, except few, but the governments of the two countries as well as foreign self-interest powers are not interested to normalize the relation of these tow countries and no doubt these relations will never become normal. We are enemies for each other from the beginning and there is no end of this.
Neither ISHAAQ nor ISMAIL(after becoming successful) are not going to help Pakistani ,it can be seen everywhere,
I can vouch for UAE.The maximum a Pakistani will do is help one of his relative and thats it.We are suffering from
COMPLEX,people like ISHAAQ do not get indulge with poors thinking that they are superior and GOD blessed,on the
other hand people like ISMAIL after success start relating them self with people like ISHAAQ to hide their past.Rich
pakistani attitude is the hell with poor,and poor pakistani attitude is the hell with rich and the middle claas pakistani
attitude is the hell with all as long as he is driving corrolla and childrens are going to english school.So dont be
optimistic about pakistan going anywhere ahead in this world.
Before calling the ishaaqs back home, ask the ishaaqs living inside Pakistan to do something…there are countless number of people living inside Pakistan who enjoy all luxuries of the first world and remain oblivious to everything going around them! What are we (the privileged ones) doing despite living in the country?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNFu-K9oE_I&fe…
a farmer’s son is now an IAS
………………………………………………………. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOzNpuBcMfM&fe…
a peon’s daughter is now an IAS
True Story! Son of the fruit seller top the whole Lahore board in medical got admission in King Edward Got first position in King Edward got scholarship to one of the university of usa and now he is neurologist and making fortune their.
There are thousands of examples like this.
We need authors from low middle class too.
The problem with the fruitseller's son is that he followed the same footprints as the Ishaaq of the story. He too, went abroad, not just to study, but to settle there. Now, he must also have an Audi, go to parties and meet cute girls. No problem with that, but will he do the same for those he left behind here? Will he help someone else he knows get the same opportunity. Doubtless, he knows many poor people here who would have studied with him at school and dropped out before or around Matric. What's this fruit seller's son going to do for them? Does he even remember them?
Junaid, i came from a Middle class Ahmadi family and also went abroad. I went abroad because of continuous harassment and lack of fair opportunity as an Ahmadi. I too became very successful and Pakistan has always been in my mind. However, recognizing that I do not have many rights as a citizen, I dread to think of coming back. After all I live in a free country where I have the same rights as other citizens irrespective of their faith. Why would I come to Pakistan where the constitution of the country decides my faith, what to call my place of worship, where I cannot even say the kalima or Azaan or recite the holy Quran in public . Further more the sword of the blasphemous blasphemy law will allow anyone to accuse me and have me killed???? I think the author must take a look at the root cause of the problem. Unless religious fanaticism is eradicated from the country and there is law and order and fairness and justice, no sane Pakistani will return back. My heart bleeds for Pakistan and the Ishmael's of the country.However, the solution is with the people of Pakistan and their response to religious fanaticism , justice, fairness, equality for all citizens. Today ,many Shias, Christians and Hindus are slowly leaving Pakistan if they can. It is a sad story for which most Pakistani are responsible along with fanatic religious leaders and weak Government.
I second you on this one Naeem. You have hit the nail right in the head. It’s the common people of Pakistan who needs to change their attitude towards tolerance, fair play and freedom for others.
I am Ishaq and am willing to come back home if any one can assure me of non stop un interrupted power suplly for 24/7
and my phone line to remain in order plus constant flow of clean drinking water and for all these even though I have to pay inflated erroenuous bills. Any guarantor?
Sigh. That’s the whole point of the article. Despite the lack of electricity and other ‘comforts’ (which most will call basic necessities), we need to come back to Pakistan and help bring about the change we want to see. We’ve left Pakistan to the uneducated and corrupt, and we wonder why Pakistan is in the state it is? This is our fault. Us educated Pakistanis who are living abroad, for whatever reason.
were you an Ishaaq Or an Ismail, Saad?
this ismail – ishaq saga is there since british ruled the sub-continent. Ishaq must not be doing something right for ismail. All the ismails belonging to educated middle class will never return. Ismails from elite, graduates from ivy leagues will return but keep failing ishaqs. Once ishaqs get visas, they will vanish in thin air and then ismails will have no one to work for in the land of the pure.
Say thanks to people abroad who are sending the foreign exchange.Is there enough job opportunities for those living in PK that you want to bring people from abroad.First try to finish load shedding , corruption and unsafe conditions and every thing else will be alright