- Pakistan must invest more in education, technology, and talent to stay globally competitive
Interview with Mr. Abdullah Shahmeer — Director of Heuser and Quadco
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Abdullah Shahmeer: I’m Director of Heuser and Quadco. As an educator, my area of expertise in teaching comprise Media Sciences and Social Sciences, where I’ve had the privilege of inspiring and guiding numerous students over the years.
PAGE: How do you narrate the story of Pakistan to your students to instill the element of patriotism in the youth?
Abdullah Shahmeer: Pakistan Day holds great significance in the country’s history. To me, it’s a celebration of the vision and efforts of our forefathers. It’s a reminder of the resolution that demanded a separate homeland for Muslims, ultimately leading to the creation of Pakistan.
In today’s world, Pakistan cannot afford to isolate itself from globalization. Doing so would have severe negative consequences on our economy and development. Instead, we need to learn from other countries and adapt to the rapidly changing routines.
To remain competitive, Pakistan must invest in its capital, workforce, technology, and education. We need to allocate a budget to upgrade our infrastructure, educational institutions, and technological capabilities. This will enable us to keep pace with the rest of the world.
Moreover, we’re facing a significant brain drain, with many of our brightest minds opting to invest in businesses abroad rather than in Pakistan. To reverse this trend, we need to identify the reasons behind this and address them. Once we understand the root causes, we can begin to figure out solutions and attract investment back to Pakistan.
Demonstrations and celebrations take place worldwide, often marking significant events or milestones. However, it’s important to set priorities as a nation. If our primary focus is on driving economic growth, succeeding businesses, attracting investment, and ultimately developing our country, then these celebrations can have a positive impact.
On the other hand, if we lack clear priorities or fail to align our celebrations with meaningful action, these events risk becoming formalities, and would not create an impact.
I think politicians make decisions based on the needs of their time. In 1940, creating a separate homeland for Muslims was necessary. But now, I believe we need to be more inclusive.
As a society, we should respect and acknowledge different religions and cultures. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, but that shouldn’t mean excluding others. We should promote tolerance, acceptance, and mutual respect.