I am trying to understand the relationship between the state of affairs in the country and the influence that it has on the fact Pakistanis want to migrate to other places, especially Western societies. I spent some time with a lovely family of seven people, last week, a day after their homes had been the target of three armed dacoits who carried out a successful operation at about 7.45 pm on 13th January in their Phase-V DHA home.
Before I share some of the facts in the crime that was committed, and which until Monday afternoon had not produced any results let me emphasise that it was a saddening experience to hear the details of how the criminals had struck. But much more disturbing, and depressing was the point that the family has decided to expedite the process of emigrating to wherever it is possible.
As a first step, the family has chosen to move out of their present house, and relocate themselves to somewhere else, where the perceptions of safety and security are much better. Given our environment it should not be an easy task to accomplish. But life can be strange and positive!
Three young armed men, targeted the well-secured residence of Syed Safdar Hussain, a local businessman, that evening when he was away. His wife and two daughters and a son had also gone out, and were therefore spared the trauma. At home were only a teenaged daughter Maha and the youngest child, school going Ali Sher.
The dacoits entered through a kitchen door left open accidentally. They were polite, and mild mannered with the two kids, asked them to comply with what they say, and then went about their business. About this time Safdar Hussain returned home, unaware of what was happening inside. By the time he realised what was happening after the main gate was opened for him by one of the dacoits, it was too late. He strictly complied with whatever instructions he got, and in fact he said to me, that he in fact made it easier for the three armed men to quickly finish the job, and leave.
That happened, the three unchallenged dacoits managed to take away jewellery worth about Rs 6 lakhs, Rs 50,000 in cash, four cell phones, and a laptop. They left behind a nightmare as a memory.
What they also left behind (or rather could not take away) was not only Safdar's ready sense of humour or that which his family members have in abundance, but also the resolve to emigrate. In fact his eldest child, British educated Farwa, 24, smiled as she said that evening that the dacoity had, in a way, ensured that the family must move out from Pakistan.
I would like to digress here and go back in time. I have known people emigrate from Pakistan to various countries for a variety of reasons. I know of university colleagues who went abroad for education, and chose to stay there because Pakistani universities and societies did not attract them any more. This was in the late sixties, and onwards. Of course there were countrymen moving out to live in the West (UK and USA) in the fifties and sixties in search of greener pastures.
Then we have seen Pakistanis move to the Middle East countries where the oil rich societies promised them gold. Money was a prime consideration and this sort of migration of course continues today also. Another reason for migration was (and is) -- the pursuit of better lifestyles, and where a respect for law and order and where a feeling of community welfare and family well being were tangible, visible, and ensured.
There are other reasons and factors that have caused migration, and of course one would like to refer to political asylum here. But that canvass is relatively restricted, though its significance is high when we keep in mind that political leaders at various levels do not consider it safe enough to return to Pakistan. They still call it home, one presumes.
Then the minorities have their own considerations for leaving and one would like to mention the fact that so many Goan and Anglo-Indian Christian families that I have known through school, college and university and as friendly colleagues at work, have left Pakistan. In fact even I still see some Christian family still here it does make me ask them why they have chosen to be here when other family members have settled in Canada, Australia or the United States. But that is another issue.
Today it seems that we are at a stage where people want to migrate to other countries for reasons of law and order. They have tired of the lawlessness that they have experienced or witnessed and the crime that they have been targeted for has frightened them intensely. I have known families in this city move to other residential areas or cities after they have been victims of crime in their home. Those who had no options of course stayed put. Stayed unhappy, scared, and helpless.
I know a successful young banker who rescinded his decision of moving into his newly built house in DHA Phase-VII. He decided to sell that house, and instead live in an expensive apartment in the new DHA built modern apartments in DHA Phase-VIII. He was the victim of dacoits who struck his house two days before he was to actually move in. It generated a wave of anxiety in his family and multiple familiar fears got activated.
Of course urban crime is a serious issue, and so is street crime in Pakistani society. It is not just a Karachi theme. From our urban and rural areas both, we now hear terrifying stories that reflect several reasons for the crime graph rising. One cause is also poor policing apparently. In this case mentioned above, Safdar Hussain appreciated the initial response that came from the Senior Superintendent of Police Ashfaq Alam (from his area).
But then he is somewhat disappointed that the criminals have not been tracked down. He remarked bitterly "I pay millions in taxes...what for? Those who pay none get more security".
I have known Safdar Hussain and his family for 25 years now. Yet another family that I know and value will migrate. Should I advise him or persuade him not to? I must write one day about the high number of families whose relationship that I have cherished and who have migrated. Only a handful have returned, if at all.
A subject specialist I managed to spoke to on Monday evening opined that the migration of people would certainly rise in the years ahead, especially to Canada. Even from Pakistan more people with money would migrate, he added. This was Louis Leblanc, Founder President, National Bank Financial Immigrant Investor Programme and Managing Director and Vice President of National Bank Financial who spoke on the theme of "Canadian Investor Immigrant Programme" to a curious questioning audience. The 21st Century Business and Economics Club and the Overseas Universities Alumni Club organised the programme at the Beach Luxury Hotel. Evidently after a lull, Syed Salahuddin Haidar, the Club's Founder President has begun his programmes once again?
There were so many questions asked by people who were apparently in various stages of the process of migrating, and there were others who were contemplating different aspects of the rewarding opportunities there are for those who are willing to invest their money in Canada.
I just wondered whether such issues as democracy and justice in Pakistan trouble these people now. Safdar is presently grappling with the after effects of crime that was committed at his home. His privacy was invaded. God was kind, no one was hurt. nusratnasarullah0@gmail.com