I love your richly layered analyses and how you reveal the realpolitik underpinning many of the decisions being made by the players here. So much to learn here. I appreciate the evidence that you’ve provided with your statements and simplified for the reader. Surprised by some of the facts like the rates of ‘deaths of despair’ in the US. We’ve been so conditioned to believe US is at the top that facts that show its rotten core still surprise me, like the fact that it’s one of the most unequal ‘developed’ countries in the world.
I was also a Political Science and Economics major!
So generous of you to make this article free. We need all the hope that we can get!
I don’t know if you know this or are interested but some Substackers include an option of ‘tipping’ them for their writing, probably by adding a Venmo link or something. Anyway, I’m grateful you’re writing here and we get to read it!
Thank you! I think America’s narrative around equal access and opportunity is crumbling at lightening speed thanks to the likes of the political parties here, both of them. Looking forward to what countries and cultures are going to be considered aspirational for equal opportunity or growth when my child is an adult.
I’m still figuring out Substack but have seen those tip options, let me see if integrating it makes sense, also don’t want to overwhelm folks who can’t afford it and are just here to learn with the limited access free option.
Thank you, Sahar, for an optimistic, holistic, empathetic analysis, considering challenges that Pakistanis face in their day to day lives and opportunities for the future. It was insightful to read this essay without GDP as the sole metric for progress/success and heartening to note that Pakistan already has a strong place when it comes to beyond GDP metrics. Thanks again for your contribution and hard work and hope such insights can inform our public policies. All the best!
Pakistani youth is full of potential, but unfortunately, they are not being developed because of lack of resources and proper guidance.
The affluent ones who are privileged enough to have access to good education, try their best to leave the country - and who can blame them really?
Everyone has the right to look out for themselves... Its a big debate, but corrupt leadership has dampened the spirits of our youth - who do not feel safe in their own country.
On the other hand, I completely agree with your point that the youth of developing countries will lead the future. Because these are the people who are learning to fight for their survival and rights.
I live in The Netherlands, and the youth here is comfortable, not ambitious. They prioritize hobbies and self-care over education and hard work. While Pakistanis do not have the luxury to do that. A while back, I wrote a piece on this topic. I am sure you will find it relevant.
Hello Sahar! Could we get the option to gift specific articles to others? I want to send this article to someone, but the only way that I can send this article is via gifting a subscription.
So, that's my request. And, here is what I thought of this article.
I see that this article as optimistic, and that is something I really need, as a young person living in Pakistan. But, I found it more realistic than optimistic. It makes me see clearly - what I already know and believe - is the potential of Pakistan's people. Thank you for writing about in a nuanced and evidence-rich manner.
Also, loving signing up for the subscription so far. I am waiting for Friday every week to read your takes, and I hope you write about on optimistic yet balanced topics in the future as well. Personally, I will love to see an equal frequency of optimistic and realistic topics on your Substack.
Sending lots of Duas your side for the amazing work that you are doing!
Thank you Mudasar! That’s exactly the balance I was trying to hit somewhere between realistic and optimistic. Hope to be able to do that in the future too, I’m not a fan of dystopian outrage, especially as a parent, that role requires me to search for silver linings even in the darkest of times.
Since this article is free, I make one article a month free for everyone, you should be able to “gift” it just by sending the link.
Unfortunately I couldn’t find an option to just gift articles on Substack, but if you read of a way, let me know too. As a paid subscriber you should also have a few gift subscriptions to give too.
I love your richly layered analyses and how you reveal the realpolitik underpinning many of the decisions being made by the players here. So much to learn here. I appreciate the evidence that you’ve provided with your statements and simplified for the reader. Surprised by some of the facts like the rates of ‘deaths of despair’ in the US. We’ve been so conditioned to believe US is at the top that facts that show its rotten core still surprise me, like the fact that it’s one of the most unequal ‘developed’ countries in the world.
I was also a Political Science and Economics major!
So generous of you to make this article free. We need all the hope that we can get!
I don’t know if you know this or are interested but some Substackers include an option of ‘tipping’ them for their writing, probably by adding a Venmo link or something. Anyway, I’m grateful you’re writing here and we get to read it!
Thank you! I think America’s narrative around equal access and opportunity is crumbling at lightening speed thanks to the likes of the political parties here, both of them. Looking forward to what countries and cultures are going to be considered aspirational for equal opportunity or growth when my child is an adult.
I’m still figuring out Substack but have seen those tip options, let me see if integrating it makes sense, also don’t want to overwhelm folks who can’t afford it and are just here to learn with the limited access free option.
Thank you, Sahar, for an optimistic, holistic, empathetic analysis, considering challenges that Pakistanis face in their day to day lives and opportunities for the future. It was insightful to read this essay without GDP as the sole metric for progress/success and heartening to note that Pakistan already has a strong place when it comes to beyond GDP metrics. Thanks again for your contribution and hard work and hope such insights can inform our public policies. All the best!
Sahar, thank you for sharing your perspective.
Pakistani youth is full of potential, but unfortunately, they are not being developed because of lack of resources and proper guidance.
The affluent ones who are privileged enough to have access to good education, try their best to leave the country - and who can blame them really?
Everyone has the right to look out for themselves... Its a big debate, but corrupt leadership has dampened the spirits of our youth - who do not feel safe in their own country.
On the other hand, I completely agree with your point that the youth of developing countries will lead the future. Because these are the people who are learning to fight for their survival and rights.
I live in The Netherlands, and the youth here is comfortable, not ambitious. They prioritize hobbies and self-care over education and hard work. While Pakistanis do not have the luxury to do that. A while back, I wrote a piece on this topic. I am sure you will find it relevant.
https://open.substack.com/pub/amalshakeb/p/is-career-fulfillment-a-luxury-problem?r=j488e&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Hello Sahar! Could we get the option to gift specific articles to others? I want to send this article to someone, but the only way that I can send this article is via gifting a subscription.
So, that's my request. And, here is what I thought of this article.
I see that this article as optimistic, and that is something I really need, as a young person living in Pakistan. But, I found it more realistic than optimistic. It makes me see clearly - what I already know and believe - is the potential of Pakistan's people. Thank you for writing about in a nuanced and evidence-rich manner.
Also, loving signing up for the subscription so far. I am waiting for Friday every week to read your takes, and I hope you write about on optimistic yet balanced topics in the future as well. Personally, I will love to see an equal frequency of optimistic and realistic topics on your Substack.
Sending lots of Duas your side for the amazing work that you are doing!
Thank you Mudasar! That’s exactly the balance I was trying to hit somewhere between realistic and optimistic. Hope to be able to do that in the future too, I’m not a fan of dystopian outrage, especially as a parent, that role requires me to search for silver linings even in the darkest of times.
Since this article is free, I make one article a month free for everyone, you should be able to “gift” it just by sending the link.
Unfortunately I couldn’t find an option to just gift articles on Substack, but if you read of a way, let me know too. As a paid subscriber you should also have a few gift subscriptions to give too.
Perfect! Thanks
Brilliant...