Pakistani millennials — those who were the proud torch bearers of the 21st century — have stood tall and strong as a brand new era has unfolded before them. I myself am still two and a half decades behind, and dare not compare myself to this high achieving, non-compromising lot who refuse to settle for anything but the best. For sure, this is a quality to admire, not look down upon. Finally, we are a society which is inclusive of the female gender in terms of job opportunities and growth.
Your typical upper-class Pakistani female millennial is well-educated, well-travelled, has a good sense of fashion and is very self-aware. Gadget driven, she travels the world but doesn’t want to settle abroad. Why would you when you can have your cake and eat it too? If you can afford international brands, enjoy luxuries and also take advantage of the conveniences of Pakistan, there is no better place than your homeland. A homeland where her parents have brought her up with the all the comforts possible. Personal maids, unlimited allowance and the latest cars. She would rather not deal with the dishes, laundry and cooking — not to mention the perils of raising a family abroad. Thanks but no thanks.
If you can afford international brands, enjoy luxuries and also take advantage of the conveniences of Pakistan, there is no better place than your homeland
This no-nonsense attitude is quite tempting. I almost wish it was contagious. Sadly though, it isn’t a bug you can catch, it comes from years of living a life of convenience. Years of having a perfect blow-dry and untainted, manicured hands. She wears crisply starched shirts with dry cleaned pants to match — which the driver picked up after the trip to the salon. The Maskatiyas and Zara Shah Jahans adorned at every wedding, and events spread over days — the kind that Westerners can only dream of after eating their bland pasta and sauce.
The irony of ironies is that citizens of countries with the highest per capita income use public transport, cook their own meals and drive their own cars. The affluent Pakistani knows better. She gives business to top restaurants, top salons and Pakistan’s most expensive designers. Her spending power is such that it would clearly outdo her contemporaries in other countries.
Many would argue that enjoying your money and the power that comes with it is no crime. This is true. But wouldn’t it be just wonderful if prices of clothes were hushed and not advertised, education not fashion was flaunted, conversation was centred around ‘real’ issues and not who was invited where and how Pakistani men and women were strong enough to survive anywhere in the world without maids and drivers.
The milk is finished and I am longing for a cup of tea. The temperatures in London have hit their lowest point in March and the streets are sheets of ice. If only I had a driver!
The writer is a London based freelance writer with a strong interest in travel, culture and education
Published in Daily Times, April 24th 2018.