I have always loved traveling – and have been fortunate enough to be able to wander the world and its seven seas, for education or work. Although I grew up in Pakistan, I spent several years outside the country.
Earlier this year, I completed an MSc in Political Economy of Development from London and had to decide where I would like to relocate in order to put the education to practice. The Middle East seemed a good choice, as I had spent my last couple of summers there, studying Arabic or working in the field. The other option was to stay in the UK and work at a policy level.
Often, it happens that we have plenty of plans in mind, and then life just comes along and shows us the way. Shortly before my graduation, my grandmother passed away after a long battle with illness. I spent several weeks in Pakistan with her during her last days, and with my family, which gathered together at the time of her death. At that time, I started looking into development agencies here; after all, for all my traveling, no place is going to feel as much home as Pakistan is. Moreover, the time with my family also made me realise that I really wanted to contribute to the country that, for all its problems and failings, had given me the best and earliest years of my life.
I think it was also in Pakistan that I was first introduced to the importance of development work. As a Pakistani child growing up in a fairly comfortable background, I always took my material comforts for granted and turned a blind eye to those who did not seem to have the privileges I did – the ayahs, chowkidars and beggars on the road. Perhaps so many of us who grow up in the developing world build this shield of apathy around us, to block out what we don’t want to see.
Things changed when, a few years later, I spent time working in Pakistan in the banking sector. I had already lived abroad and come to realise that such a vast difference between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ was not normal from a global perspective – and not something to ever be considered normal. When I was earning my own income, I realised the importance of money, and the role factors like education play in generating income-earning potential. It struck me as terrible that so many people in the country could not even afford a day’s meal, leave alone a decent basic education – something that I perhaps had had the luck to be born into.
Many images come to my mind when I think back about working in Karachi: long hours, balance sheets, deadlines and hanging out with friends over the weekend. However, theone image that stands out the most clearly is that of walking out of restaurants with my colleagues and friends, having spent the same amount on our food and clothes for one evening as our drivers, who waited patiently for us outside, earned in the entire month. After a while, I realised that even though I may not be able to change the lot of all the drivers and workers in the country, I would at least like to contribute to the development sector that was working towards grass-root level change. It takes many drops of water to fill the ocean… Thus, began my move to the development sector, for which I pursued further education in the UK.
So, when I had to choose between working in the development sector in Pakistan or other parts of the world, I decided that charity begins at home. Moreover, I met some truly inspirational people in this country, who helped me make the decision.
I am currently working in Islamabad and really enjoy living here. This is a great city to meet and exchange ideas with other people involved in education, microfinance and health projects, many of which are backed by the resources and global experience of organisations such as USAID, World Bank and CIDA. It is also possible to build partnerships that can expedite the process of grass-root level change.
As long as you spend a substantial amount of time out of the relative peace and wealth of this green city by the Margallas, Islamabad is an ideal place to work in the development sector, make a base – and grow as a person.