AS a Pakistani, there is a question that weighs heavily on my mind, time and again.
Why is it that many of our successful, established individuals hesitate to support their fellow countrymen and women, especially those striving to find their footing? In a world where mentorship, guidance and even a few kind words can change the trajectory of someone’s life, this reluctance is both puzzling and disheartening.
When I look at other communities, such as Indians and Bangladeshis, I see a culture of solidarity that is both admirable and inspiring. Whether it is in business, education or personal growth, they are often eager to lend a helping hand to those who come after them. Their networks are built on trust, cooperation and a deep understanding that collective success benefits everyone. One person’s rise often becomes the foundation for another’s. Their Diaspora, in particular, is a living example of what happens when communities choose to uplift rather than compete destructively.
Unfortunately, within our own circles, this spirit of cooperation seems to be lacking. In academia, students at prestigious universities often shy away from guiding those aspiring to follow in their footsteps. In the professional world, well-placed individuals tend to close doors rather than open them, even when it costs them nothing to share an opportunity, a reference or a piece of advice. The sense of insecurity and gatekeeping is palpable and this mindset only serves to fragment us further.
One wonders whether this behavior stems from an internalized inferiority complex, a colonial hangover that taught us to see each other as rivals rather than allies. Or perhaps it is a fear that helping others might somehow diminish our own achievements, as if success were a limited resource to be guarded rather than a flame that grows brighter when shared. This mindset is not only toxic but deeply counterproductive. We need to ask ourselves what kind of nation we want to be. Imagine a Pakistan where every successful person sees it as a moral duty to uplift at least one other. Imagine the exponential impact of a culture where guidance is freely offered, where professional networks are opened to deserving newcomers and where achievements are celebrated collectively. The ripple effect would be transformative. It would create a society where success is not hoarded but multiplied, where young people find encouragement rather than discouragement and where the idea of community is grounded in genuine solidarity.
It is time we reflect deeply on this cultural shortcoming. What do we truly stand to lose by helping others? More importantly, what do we stand to gain when we do? As a nation, we can no longer afford to treat each other as threats. The path to progress lies in cooperation, in building each other up and in recognizing that our greatest strength lies not in individual achievements, but in what we can accomplish together.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Virginia, US.
