My Pakistan……
Ishtiaq Ahmed
Gujar Khan: After spending almost two months in Pakistan, I am rapidly approaching my return date to the UK.
It has been a thoroughly enjoyable and deeply meaningful stay. I have travelled extensively, reconnected with old friends, and spent valuable time with those who, after living much of their lives in the UK, have now settled permanently in Pakistan.
One such friend remarked, “If you have the money, nothing beats the quality of life in Pakistan.” Another explained his decision to return by saying, “I could not bear to see my ancestral home, built by my grandparents and where both my parents and I were born and raised, fall into ruin. My happiest memories are associated with that house. I restored and upgraded it, and now I cannot imagine leaving it.”
A third friend reflected, “Living here has given my sons and daughters a reason to visit Pakistan. They feel safe coming here because I am here.” Yet another observed, “Despite all of Pakistan’s problems- high living costs, safety concerns, and political uncertainty, I feel at home here. At least I am not told, ‘You Paki, go back home. You do not belong here.’”
There is a profound truth in these sentiments. Even after spending most of their lives in Britain, many still feel they do not truly belong there. It is not their country in an emotional sense, despite their contributions and long residence. Yet many cannot return permanently because their children and grandchildren remain in the UK, and their lives are now rooted there.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/why-the-youth-bulge-is-a-digital-export-not-a-crisis/
This visit has been different from previous ones. I spent a greater portion of my time in my ancestral village, reconnecting with my roots and retracing paths I once walked as a child. Each familiar lane, field, and corner stirred memories and emotions, immersing me in nostalgia. Such feelings were perhaps inevitable.
My travels took me to Mardan, Sialkot, Mirpur, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. Along the way, I recorded and shared my observations with friends through a series of short blogs and reflections. I wrote about the River Indus, Mardan, the River Chenab, and the enduring legend of Sohni Mahiwal, a romantic tale that resonates powerfully across both Sindh and Punjab, each claiming it as part of its cultural heritage.
I also explored the importance of cottage industries in Gujranwala and reflected on visits to Beri Wala Gurdwara and the ancestral home of Dr. Allama Iqbal in Sialkot, one of Pakistan’s most entrepreneurial cities. My travels also allowed me to visit spiritual centres including Panja Sahib, Pir Qandhari, Kharri Sharif, and my own spiritual home at Bhangali Sharif.
These journeys provided an opportunity to observe both the strengths and weaknesses of Pakistani society. One of the most striking realities is that with each successive visit, the gap between rich and poor appears to widen. The concentration of wealth among a privileged minority stands in stark contrast to the entrenched poverty experienced by millions. The story of these two Pakistan is impossible to ignore, while the middle class continues to be squeezed and eroded from both sides.
Stories of corruption, political betrayal, and the absence of law and order are omnipresent. One cannot escape them whether sitting in a barber’s shop, sharing a meal with friends, engaging in casual conversation, or bargaining at a fruit and vegetable stall. Everyone has an opinion, and often those opinions are passionately expressed.
Corruption, weak governance, the lack of justice, and the spiralling costs of petrol, electricity, and gas dominate everyday conversations. What is perhaps most troubling is that many of these problems have become normalised. They are no longer viewed as exceptional failures but as accepted features of daily life.
Beyond institutional corruption, there is a growing tendency towards dishonesty in personal, family, business, and social dealings. Deception has become commonplace and, in some cases, appears to be practised with remarkable confidence. This erosion of trust may be one of the most damaging consequences of prolonged social and political dysfunction.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/british-pakistani-communities-challenges-priorities-and-action/
Pakistan today seems caught in a state of uncertainty, struggling to define a clear direction for its future. Political instability, economic decline, mounting debt, rising living costs, and growing poverty have left many feeling disillusioned. It is a nation that was founded on immense hope and aspiration, yet often appears unable to agree upon the path it should follow.
Despite these concerns, there are developments that encourage me. The “Keep Punjab Clean” initiative is a positive step. The Metro Bus link between Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi, providing free public transport, has undoubtedly benefited many people. These provisions are extended throughout Punjab.
Efforts to improve shopping areas and public spaces are also welcome, although better planning and consultation could have reduced the disruption experienced by small businesses and the public. At present, parts of Gujar Khan’s town centre resemble a construction site more than a commercial hub.
Meanwhile, much of the media appears preoccupied with Pakistan’s role in regional and international affairs, particularly tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. While these issues are undoubtedly important, far less attention is devoted to the everyday challenges confronting ordinary Pakistanis.
There is perhaps a tendency to overstate Pakistan’s strategic relevance while underreporting the social and economic issues that directly affect people’s lives.
At the same time, political tensions and agitation have once again resurfaced in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where the authorities continue to display a worrying degree of incompetence in addressing public concerns.
Yet despite everything, the frustrations, the disappointments, the missed opportunities, I remain deeply attached to Pakistan. It is a country of extraordinary resilience, warmth, hospitality, faith, and human connection. Its people continue to endure and persevere against immense odds.
I leave with mixed emotions: concern for its future, admiration for its people, and affection for the land of my ancestors.
I still love Pakistan, and God willing, I shall return soon.
