Many Pakistani expatriates have become immune to the rapidly-changing situation in their country. “The country was founded after a long struggle. Communal riots followed the declaration of partition. The security situation is no better today,” says Hafsa, a Pakistani housewife. “It is a matter of grave concern, but there is nothing we can do except pray and hope for the best,” said another Pakistani expatriate. Pakistan suffers from a huge brain drain. Its young educated and skilled professionals such as doctors, IT experts, scientists and other professional workers are leaving the country, having lost faith in its economy. A Gallup survey indicated that semi-skilled and unskilled workers want to migrate outside in search of better prospects. Some 62 percent of the adults who were surveyed expressed the desire to migrate abroad while 38 percent said that they would prefer to settle outside. So who is left to take care of the country? Asif J. Mir writes: “We talk a lot of poverty alleviation in Pakistan. But who is going to alleviate the poverty – the uncreative bureaucracy that created poverty? Hypothetically, the most talented should lead the people, create wealth and eradicate poverty and corruption.” Nadira, a doctor whose husband works in the IT sector and earns a six-figure salary, fresh from a holiday in her native Pakistan narrates how bad the situation is there. “Life goes on as usual. People go about their work as if nothing unusual has happened even after hearing that a bomb has exploded in a neighboring locality,” she said. “Bombs and violence have become such common news that these don't disrupt everyday life.” After the assassination of Benazir Bhutto last December, “we were on the same road the next day and could see burnt trees as a result of the bombings that had occurred,” she recollected. In its fight against terror, the country has struggled to uproot the Taleban. Its military has been involved in fierce fighting with terrorists on the Pakistan- Afghanistan border. But it is still being accused by Western friends and allies that it is not doing enough to root out Taleban extremists. “It is unfortunate that after doing so much to fight terrorists and throw terrorism out of the country, it is filled with extremists who are bringing a bad name to the country and nullifying its anti-terror fight,” says Haroon Rashid, a Pakistani expatriate. Besides security, Pakistan is in the throes of an economic crisis. It is facing a staggering inflation of over 25%, with its economy crippling as foreign exchange reserves dwindle and industry grinds to a halt. President Asif Ali Zardari will travel to New York to attend the UN General Assembly where he will desperately try to shore up Pakistan's crumbling international reputation, discuss new policy options towards the Taleban with President George Bush and ask for fresh aid from donor countries in order to avert a default on the country's foreign debt. But will that help in anyway to alleviate poverty? “If the newly elected government makes a plan and strategy with the military's trust, then probably we can hope that a semblance of normalcy might return to the country. And then with continued efforts the situation might improve,” says Ahmed. But for some, it makes no difference who is the new President. “Before we had dacoits who robbed the country of its riches, now we have day-light robbers who don't care of stealing in broad daylight,” says Ehsaan, an IT professional. As the circumstances turn chaotic with US bombings in the Pakistani border region, there is distrust and growing resentment among the civilians not only against the US but also its own government, dependent on billions of aid. As affluent Pakistanis continue to make their homes in the Gulf, the US and the UK, it remains to be seen what the country's new government which espouses democracy does with a nation faced with political, economic and social crisis. __
