A Certain Education Dear Ali,

I read your article with great interest. I would like to add my 2 cents worth to the whole subject. Now, I am not authority on the subject matter you have discussed, but, don`t you think we are part of this problem as well? Alas, we all are sitting pretty in the most prosperous nation on earth, with not even a shred of doubt in our minds that we would ever go back to Pakistan. And yet, we discuss at great lengths how to improve the situation. As far as your sincere advice: Thanks but no thanks.

On Being an Ex-Expatriate Who are we fooling? Once, you go back home you realize things are not quite the same as you left them. Cousins are all married and busy with their new found families, friends have either moved to the U.S., Europe, Middle East or Australia, or, maybe, if you live in Karachi, shot to death. Your euphoria is over as soon as you realize that you will never get promoted, i.e. if you do succeed in ever finding a job, unless you have a political connection. The human race has a long history of moving to other regions to pursue a better life for themselves and their future generations.

Let`s face the harsh reality, Pakistan is just an emotional state that reminds you of your beautiful carefree days as a child. There are so many people I know who were bitten by the bug of patriotism and went back to Pakistan. Only to come back, more determined than ever, never to go back. Wake up and smell the coffee! Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated with this country, just like the Italians, the Germans, the Jews, and I guess the rest of the world.