- By: Zahra Ali
The divisive politics in our country has shattered Pakistan into pieces like broken glass. Neither the government nor the opposition truly represents the interests of Pakistan’s educated citizens. Their insatiable lust for power far surpasses their commitment to the nation.
The youth, once the bedrock of future progress, are struggling with unemployment, inadequate education, environmental degradation, and social injustices. It breaks my heart to witness our country’s potential being hindered by power struggles rather than collective progress. What a circus!
In today’s Pakistan, the job market fails to align with the educational qualifications of its workforce. While no work should be considered second-class, it is undeniable that when an individual is adequately educated, securing a role that reflects this education is not just an expectation, but a right. The mismatch between education and job opportunities is not merely a technical issue but a social and economic crisis that continues to drain the morale and future potential of this country.
Human capital, the collective skills, knowledge, and experience of a nation’s people, is the backbone of any country’s economy and societal progress. It is the foundation on which nations build innovation, growth, and resilience. However, when this valuable often neglected asset, as is happening in Pakistan, the consequences are devastating. Investing in human capital through education, healthcare, and job opportunities is essential for a country’s development, but our leadership has consistently failed to harness this potential. Without tapping into this wellspring of talent, any efforts at national progress are futile. Human capital is not an abstract concept—it is the very essence of a nation’s strength, its key to global competitiveness, and the engine of its economy.
As a young Pakistani from a religious minority group, I am particularly disheartened by the state of our nation’s politics. The deepening political divide in the country, which prioritizes power struggles over collective progress, has left educated citizens, including minorities, feeling ignored and marginalized. The additional barriers to success in this country that I and many others face are compounded by our minority status, making it harder to steer a system already failing its people.
This is not a solitary observation. Pakistan is hemorrhaging its brightest minds, with over 100,000 educated individuals fleeing the country in 2024 alone, resulting in a $1.5 billion annual loss in human capital, according to the World Bank. When a nation loses its educated workforce, it loses not just its immediate intellectual capacity but its future potential for progress and innovation. This brain drain devastates our prospects, depriving Pakistan of its most vital resource—its people. These are not just numbers—they are friends, classmates, and colleagues who leave in search of opportunities they should have found here. What is perhaps most tragic is that the leadership only acknowledges their worth once they are gone, offering meager incentives to lure them back when it’s far too late.
Consider the stark realities: 26.2 million out-of-school children in Pakistan, a bleak job market, environmental degradation that continues to be sidelined, and widespread inequality and insecurity. These are not abstract concepts—they are lived experiences for millions of Pakistanis who wake up every day with dwindling prospects. The lack of genuine leadership is allowing these problems to fester, pushing the country further into disarray.
We can either remain trapped in a vivacious cycle of power struggles that benefit only a select few or demand authentic leadership that understands and addresses the real issues at hand. This is a call to action. Pakistan’s future cannot be built on empty promises and superficial politics. It must be built on the strength of its human capital—on education, skills, and opportunities that reflect the true potential of its citizens.
We are in dire need of leaders who are willing to acknowledge and address the actual needs of unrepresented, educated citizens—leaders who prioritize national interest over personal gain.
To call for authentic leadership may feel like a distant dream. Yet, it is the only path forward.