With 64 per cent of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30, Pakistan’s most reliable asset to progress as a dynamic and tolerant society is its labour. According to Trading Economics, Pakistan’s unemployment rate is 5.90 per cent. The youth face unbearable ordeals routinely. Their lack of contribution to the economy is problematic. This is the story of Hassan’s afflictions — a story that represents the ordeals faced by the youth population of Pakistan. For one year, Hassan has been working in Islamabad — the most beautiful city in Pakistan. After graduation, it was his dream to work in the capital. His dream became reality when one of his friends offered him a job in Islamabad with a non-governmental organisation. Unfortunately, he worked for six months but the organisation refused to pay him his salary and he was kicked out. During that period, he applied for jobs but he didn’t get a response. Occasionally, returning from an interview he ponders that ‘references, corruption and nepotism are big opponents for talented youth in Pakistan’. Hassan has been rejected several times due to not having strong references However, despite the number of tribulations, Hassan’s hopes are high. He understands the hardcore unemployment in Pakistan. He is also aware of institutional devastation, bad governance and dishonest politicians. Sometimes, returning from an interview he ponders how ‘references, corruption and nepotism are big opponents for talented youth in Pakistan.” Hassan has been rejected several times due to not having strong references. Talent did not work in his life. Therefore, abandoned Hassan with someone’s reference gets a junior level job in an organisation with a 30,000 rupee salary. Intellectuals have sold out their wisdom, power of pen is bowed before the power of money, deception and lie has overwhelmed the society Work place ordeals — dishonesty, leg-pulling, back-biting, lack of seriousness, negative behaviour, useless use of funds, impracticality, politicisation, polarisation, jealousy are only a few bad experiences he has encountered while working. How will we be able to bring development even if he is not mature enough? Within a professional setting where 5 to 10 staff don’t interact with each other, how will they bring change in society? It’s true that we complain a lot. Another issue is that plenty of MBBSs, PhDs and Masters qualified youth in Pakistan are unemployed. In Sindh, for the position of a peon 2.3 million applications are received, of them 255 are PhD holders and 0.2 million are engineers. Hassan is blessed to have a job in such unscrupulous circumstances. However, being a representative of youth in the country, he bemoans that “I did Masters in economics with seven years of extensive experience in many organisations. But my current job is limited to washing tea-cups, purchasing mineral water bottles, biscuits, DVDs, magazines, submitting electricity and telephones bills. Other than this, I search data that facilitates seniors to complete their tasks.” In this way, his contribution is zero. His seven years’ experience is being drained out. His knowledge, skills and competencies instead of improving are declining. Moreover, he complains, “when I came to Islamabad, I was highly enthusiastic about a positive change in the society. But looking at the dramatic situation, where making other follies is common, honesty is called stupidity, egoism is widespread, simplicity is abused and bullied, time wasted is applauded and money wasted is appreciated.” Further, he added that “the intellectuals have sold out their wisdom, power of pen is bowed before the power of money, deception and lie has overwhelmed the society. We are happy listening to lies and fraudulences.” His grieves continue, “we are living in an ethically collapsing society. Everything is measured by paisa, power and politics. Foolish is more respected than wise. Educated is battered. Boorish is celebrated. Hoodlums are appreciated.” Despite this scenario, Hassan says “after bad days are always good days.” And finally, he suggests to the youth that “hold onto pens and books because their power will get you out from all the ordeals.” The writer is a development professional. He may be contacted at murtazatalpur@hotmail.com Published in Daily Times, October 9th 2017.