Hamid: Azadi Mubarak, bro!
Javed: Humph…really, man?
Hamid: Whaa…? What’s wrong?
Javed: Don’t you think it’s ironic how we’re celebrating freedom when we barely have any? Inflation, unemployment, climate disasters and injustice – it’s all too much!
Javed: My teachers were right. There’s no use wasting myself here.
Hamid: You’re…you’re leaving?
Javed: Yeah, man. I’ve applied for my visa. So should you!
Hamid: Hey, I’m never gonna leave my country!
Javed: Seriously? You’ll waste yourself here too, bro?
Hamid: Javed! Do you really think Allah SWT will let Pakistan sink for nothing?
Javed: Well…pfft…I mean…
Hamid: Think about it, bro! We all know how many people sacrificed everything so that Muslims could have a safe place to call home. Think about all the forces that were against Pakistan since the very beginning. So many wanted us gone, yet we’re still here.
Javed: I guess…but maybe not for long!
Hamid: Bro, I get it. Running away from Pakistan may save your skin, but it won’t solve the problem.
Javed: Then what on earth will?!
Hamid: Hmm. You know why machines stop working? When they’re used for something that isn’t their purpose.
Javed: Ugh! Don’t get all philosophical on me!
H: What I mean is, Pakistan was made so that we could practice Islam in peace. So that Islamic ideology could be preserved.
J: Hah. Tell that to the film and music industry! And to those who have gone as far as to preach LGBT rights!
H: You see? Pakistan is not only degrading economically, but morally as well. We’ve become caught up in all the wrong things because we’ve lost sight of the reason for our inception. We’ve forgotten that Pakistan ka matlab kya, La ilaha illallah!
J: Hmm…yeah, well. Like if it weren’t for interest we wouldn’t be drowning in debt…but I still don’t see how that’s any help!
H: It’s up to us, bro! It’s our responsibility. We need to fight for Pakistan with everything we’ve got. For both its economy and ideology!
J: Humph. I still don’t see how that’s going to put food on my plate. I would be so much more successful if I migrate to the West.
H: Oh, really? Sure, maybe you’d be able to gush over how clean the roads are and how everyone stands in line. Maybe you’d have a nicer house or bigger car. But would you be able to protect your deen? Would your kids be able to grow up in a safe environment? And would you really be able to live each day without being able to hear the adhaan?
J: …
H: Success isn’t just material, bro. You know that.
J: (sadly) It is hard to think about, but…still. How will Pakistan rise again?
H: Pakistan is meant for something special. We have abundant resources, manpower, even the willpower. We just need sincere leadership and good management.
J: Uh-huh. And where will those come from?
H: (smiles) They don’t say youth is the future for nothing. Sounds cheesy, but it’s true. We’re Pakistan’s future, brother. And we must try our best to make it a bright one.
