EVERY year thousands of patriotic expatriates remit billions to Pakistan, and some of them even visit the home country to celebrate Eid with their families and friends settled here. In contrast, most of the Pakistani elite leave the country to celebrate Eid with their loved ones settled abroad. These are two different types of Eid celebrations by two different types of Pakistanis.
The annual remittances sent by expatriates exceed export earnings of various industries in Pakistan. While the state goes overboard in offering incentives to the elitist group of traders, retailers, tycoons and politicians,itfails to appreciate the contribution of hard-working expatriates who have been forced by circumstances to work abroad. Other than paying lip-service, there is hardly any concrete steps taken by the state to show its appreciation of who is doing what.
The expatriates send money to support their families back home. It is their emotional attachment with the soil, and the spiritual connection with the country of their birth that motivate them to come back every year, irrespective of the weather here.The othergroupleavesthe country specifically because of the weather here in search of cooler climes abroad.
The moment the expatriates land back in Pakistan, several state agencies pounce on them like vultures as if they have committed some crime. In contrast, the same agencies offer due and undue protocolto the elite leaving the country. Eid in some ways does expose the bitter truth about the way society and government operate.
