There is a culture of pulling each other down and not being able to be appreciative generally in Pakistan, but even if that isn’t taken into consideration, even if envy is accepted as a natural emotion, it’s plain hostility on part of the government to overlook its assets. Most recently, eight-year-old Hadia Hashmi has proven to be a powerhouse, Sufi vocalist, no less, as she featured alongside Soch the band on ‘Nescafé Basement’ ongoing fifth instalment. Or even 13-year-old drummer Sinan who played this season. They’re both forces to be reckoned with and had they been in any other part of the world at this point, they would’ve been global sensations. Why do I have to be following ‘Nescafé Basement’ to find out about them? Why is that not breaking news instead of whether snow falling and baraf bari are different from one another? In times, where there’s political and economic instability in the county, gifted teenagers provide much food for thought. Is Pakistan really the epitome of social jeopardising? The truth of the matter is that it isn’t. There are producers like Xulfi that realise age is just a number and that art transcends boundaries known to mortals because it stays beyond us, every one of us. Most recently, eight-year-old Hadia Hashmi has proven to be a powerhouse, Sufi vocalist, no less, as she featured alongside Soch the band on ‘Nescafé Basement’ ongoing fifth instalment. Or even 13-year-old drummer Sinan who played this season. They’re both forces to be reckoned with and had they been in any other part of the world at this point, they would’ve been global sensations Being forced to work at a young age only for monetary advantage is sickening and must be condemned, but honing one’s craft and being provided with the right platform and avenue to do that is the way forward. I’ve undergone discrimination on the basis of my age, but that hasn’t made me any lesser of a writer. I haven’t been provided with opportunities that I know I deserve much more than others. And I’ve seen my juniors, batch-mates, seniors and just kids everywhere being scummed to standard paths to walk on and developing into prosaic beings. Creativity and the longing for ingenuity is brushed under the carpet. Just know that Pakistan has unreal, unbelievable flair and aptitude, and we’re here to stay for our country, hoping that it owns us just as warmly as we own it. The writer is a freelance journalist. He can be reached at ahmedsarymsajeel@hotmail.com Published in Daily Times, February 5th 2019.