Wajahat Ali Khan
Although, education is essential for everyone in today’s world, the sad situation in Pakistan is that Pakistan is facing a serious challenge to ensure all children, particularly the most disadvantaged, attend, stay and learn in school. While enrolment and retention rates are improving, progress has been slow to improve education indicators in Pakistan. An estimated 22.8 million children aged 5-16 are out-of-school.
However, this problem is within Pakistan, but even among the new generation of more than 10 million Pakistanis living abroad, the education rate is not much more encouraging than that of other communities. If we look at the UK alone, the 1.6 million Pakistani and Kashmiri community living here. The rate of getting education in is very low, although there is no shortage of students from Pakistan coming to study in the UK. It is also encouraging that the students’ union of the number one Oxford University in the UK has so far elected four presidents.
In 1977, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was originally from Sindh, became the first Asian woman in the history of the university to be elected president of the Oxford Student Union.
After Benazir Bhutto, in 2022, Ahmad Nawaz was elected President of the Oxford’s student Union who was from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and survived the terrorist attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar in 2014 and came to London for treatment, then in 2024, Israr Khan Kakar, who was from Balochistan, and now in 2025, Muhammad Musa Hayat Harraj, who has been elected as the President of the Debating Society of the Oxford University Students’ Union, and he is from the province of Punjab. So, this situation is also somewhat encouraging for us but unfortunately not for overseas Pakistani diaspora.
Indeed, education is crucial for the children of overseas Pakistanis to secure better prospects, foster their integration into new cultures, and contribute to Pakistan’s development. It equips them with the skills and knowledge needed for high-paying jobs, enables them to build diverse networks, and allows them to develop a broader worldview, enhancing their ability to contribute meaningfully to their chosen path, whether it’s staying abroad or returning to Pakistan.
Economic Advancement:
Education is the key to accessing better employment opportunities, including highly paid jobs, both in the countries where they study and in Pakistan. Overseas education can also help them develop skills and knowledge that are highly valued in the global job market, making them more competitive.
Cultural Adaptation and Integration:
Studying abroad exposes young people to different cultures and ways of life, helping them to understand and appreciate diversity. This can be particularly important for children of immigrants, as it can help them navigate the challenges of adjusting to a new environment and build bridges with their new communities.
Personal and Social Growth:
Education fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate effectively. These skills are valuable not only in the workplace but also in personal relationships and in navigating the complexities of life.
Contribution to Pakistan’s Development:
By gaining knowledge and skills, and potentially establishing networks internationally, overseas Pakistanis can contribute to their country’s progress through various avenues, including economic growth, technological advancement, and cultural exchange.
Enhanced Future Prospects:
Education can lead to increased earning potential, improved career prospects, and the ability to build a secure and prosperous future, both for themselves and their families.
