Previous podcasts explore the identity of the Pakistani diaspora in France. This whole journey, starting with our memories of Pakistan, then following in the footsteps of our parents with their anxieties and endless days, and then in the dialogue between our parents’ identities and ours, may have made you feel nostalgic for the duration of a podcast. All of this surely transported you to Pakistan, and perhaps even the idea of ​​returning to live in Pakistan germinated in your mind. So for this podcast, I found it relevant to share with you the conversation I had with Syed, a Franco-Pakistani who chose to return to live in Pakistan. I tried to understand why and how this happened.
Here are the questions I asked him:
Syed, can you introduce yourself in a few words?
My previous podcasts were about identity, so for someone who has chosen to work in Pakistan, I would like to ask you the question: Do you feel more French or Pakistani?
There’s a statement from Van Jones, who regularly appears as a commentator on CNN, that has been brought to the forefront following recent events surrounding Islamophobia. These comments date back to 2016 but are currently trending on various social media platforms. He says:

Honestly, if a Muslim family moved next door to you, you would be the happiest person in the world. First of all, the chances of your kids getting into trouble just went way down. OK, went way down. Because (American) Muslim community has the lowest crime rate, the highest entrepreneurship, the highest educational attainment for women in the country (US). They are the model American community. And so, when you have people who are now afraid to come here–that’s starting to happen–you have geniuses from Pakistan, who are from Indonesia, who now (think to themselves) “I’m not safe here”. This becomes an economic problem for America long term. So that we’re starting to do stuff here that doesn’t make good sense for what has made us great so far. [1]

Is that also one of the reasons for your departure from France? If not, what are the other reasons?
How did the Pakistanis welcome you? Do you sometimes face rejection?
How did your loved ones in France react?
Concretely, if you had to give a procedure to follow to other young people, what would you advise them? I suppose that there are certain professions easier to practice in Pakistan than others? And then in terms of diploma equivalences, will people find their way there?
What are you really happy to find in Pakistan?
What do you miss about France?
I have been able to meet students in Germany, the United States and France who would like to return to India one day after having gained some experience. Not having family in the host countries is a big factor and India is a country of progress. But I have met few Pakistanis in this same tendency. So, for you, is this a definitive departure?
Since we have you live in the middle of the health crisis in Lahore, what do you think of the crisis management in Pakistan? Has the government put anything in place? Has this had an impact on your business?

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr5cLv8Dj2I&ab_channel=RiazHaq
[2] Header image courtesy: Syed Muheeb Ali

#Pakistani diaspora in France #Pakistani immigrant identity #reverse brain drain #return to Pakistan