Home without hope

Why a meritocratic culture can stop the brain drain

Socioeconomic settings that resist people changing their social status through efforts, naturally force them to seek alternative avenues. Ones confined to ascribed, fixed social statuses imposed arbitrarily, perpetuated by established systems, try hard to escape to places that reward efforts, not inheritance, that honour hard work, not heritage.

Societies that choke the flow of resources to broader population, that occlude merit, and favor patronage, that rescue powerful and forsake the poor barely leave behind a hope to live for. As a response to this asymmetrical fight against the established norms, people quietly exit in pursuit of places that are rather inclusive, welcoming and meritocratic.

Pakistan, notoriously known for being one of the places inhospitable to talent and merit, is faced with severe human capital loss. Things thought to end shortly, have survived for so long. For that reason, a political upheaval, an economic stagnancy, a social unrest or any other critical juncture serve as an epiphany, a moment of realization, to a consistent number of people to trade this home for another, arguably, better one.

People have an affinity with home. It’s the structural inconsistency that persuades them to leave and live. Once the structural consistency returns, so will the people. It's high time Pakistan ponders the policies that render human capital loss, because patently, a home without hope is no home

Referential recruitments, preferential promotions and confidential dealings underscore this country’s structural inconsistency. The majority, however qualified, diligent or skilled, end up in insecure, contractual jobs, whereas a handful are bound to secure permanent positions. That isn’t a lucky dip; (selection at random) rather a systematic selection. This fuels the frustration and makes people look for rather greener pastures.

Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment reports 0.7 million people on average exited Pakistan from 2020 onwards in search for countries that offer fair compensation, better work environments, merit-based recruitments and equal opportunities. Ideally, the search is centred on meritorious recruitment, respect while working and recognition that follows: characteristics rarely existing in Pakistan. 

The exiting individuals are not only unlettered, unskilled workers that are generally labelled as a liability for the country, among them, a pool of skilled professionals— doctors, teachers, engineers, IT experts and researchers— are also onboard. One might argue Pakistan’s education and skill set isn’t that capable to compete with the globe though, countries, institutionally robust, see the potential, polish the person and secure brain gain. 

Emigration isn’t an easy step. It has its own demerits. Yet, it isn’t a zero sum deal. It enables an escape from a fixed social status back home. Emotional toll— loneliness, cultural shock, social immobility— is worthwhile if it eclipses an undesired, ascribed social status with an achieved one. 

International departures are generally equalized with remittances, one of the sources for foreign exchange reserves. Plus, international exits gradually fix the ascribed social status for individuals. Why is it even a cause of concern because the home is happy with financial gains and individuals are happy with good living standards and uplifted social statuses?

True, remittances fix financial shortcomings for a country and it is also true that individuals acquire better opportunities, but that’s a short-term gain, a pyrrhic victory for the homeland. Individuals run institutions. In that sense, the international departure is a long-term, institutional loss. Rarely, if ever, can a rookie, a tyro substitute for a qualified, skilled professional. Below par skillset produces below par performances.

Pakistan’s negligible performance on socioeconomic and political fronts create more push factors than foreign available pull factors. Plus, the public’s evaporating institutional trust also plays a key role in exiting human capital. Ergo, it’s largely a governance problem rather than a personal quest. 

Due to Pakistan’s fragile, extractive and inefficient institutional structure, opportunities for all vanish like a morning mist. Opportunities for few, however, are abundant courtesy their ascribed, inherited status. Emigration, in this sense, is largely an escape from a disturbing, depressing system that is holistically prejudiced, yet is legally justified.

Boomers have failed to create a convenient culture for youth. Almost all aspects of growth are restricted to the general population, whether that is educational, academic, career or personal. Rarely the youth is encouraged to build a brand whether in freelancing or entrepreneurship. The youth exit not because they’re unpatriotic, but because the successive governments have been unapologetic.

Egalitarian policies shape a fabric that is impartial, welcoming and meritocratic. The continuum of these policies become a centripetal force to unity and discipline, that eventually breeds a milieu that rewards reason, recognition and growth. Wherever efforts determine status, people not only stay, that also becomes a place everyone’s willing to call home.

Pakistan is home to an asset rare in the world— its youth. But, due to its governing inefficiency, patrimonial structure, Pakistan’s grip to hold the youth back is loosening fast. Pakistan is experiencing a brain drain of irreparable scale. Yes, some inefficiency in democracies is a feature, not a bug, but an inefficiency of this scale is certainly a bug that is harming Pakistan’s hardware. 

Remittances don’t  kill the cause, but merely treat the symptoms. Human capital does kill the cause. Pakistan’s governance should return to basics and should take measures to retrieve its capital. New incentives, renewed hopes and rewarding opportunities can persuade people to stay, return back and rebuild. 

People have an affinity with home. It’s the structural inconsistency that persuades them to leave and live. Once the structural consistency returns, so will the people. It's high time Pakistan ponders the policies that render human capital loss, because patently, a home without hope is no home. 

The writer is a freelancer. He can be reached @insafalibangwar98@gmail.com