An interaction with the professional youth of Kabul gives an insight into the future of Kabul. Kabuli youth appear much more happy and optimistic than any time before about the future of their country. While most disagree with the notion that everything is going well, the youth above all understand it their responsibility to bring the needed change and after a thorough study help bring back the train of their national interests back to the right track completely. Therefore, where the 30 years of war has given millions of homeless and orphans, it has also given the nation with a responsible community of youth who see their country very optimistically. Whereas, these youths do understand that the country isn’t run properly to the best of their wishes, they also believe the room for improvement should be fast filled and let the youth do that.
The inner feelings of patriotic afghan youth most of whom had spent years of migration in the neighboring countries could only be made useful if they are listened to and the pains they have for their country are healed through proper admiration and opportunity. A friendly chat with these youth, all of them in their 20’s reveal their understanding of the past eight years of post Taliban.
Muhammad Azeem, a cashier at the Micro-Finance bank, has noticed a dramatic shift on the social horizon. He narrates, “Eight years ago, immediately after Taliban, a larger chunk of the youth would indulge in taking drugs and using liquor to the maximum. With the passage of time it has decreased to a large extent. Now only few addicts would be seen roaming around to find a suitable point for drinking the liquor. Majority of the youth like us is involved in jobs and their education. “He further tells, “The country has changed a lot. Numerous jobs need professionals, where afghans aren’t available for the job or don’t have the needed qualifications and/or references, foreigners serve. Over 50,000 Pakistanis are involved in different projects at different levels. So, our country is booming and rebuilding very fast.”
Abdulllah Hamidi, a UN project manager, told me of his experience of the recent elections. Abdullah passionately narrated. “This time during the election campaigns in Kabul, everything was so rightly in place that you wouldn’t even think for the slightest moment that we are in a war torn country. The standards adopted during these campaigns could match any democracy in the world. Everywhere people would talk of their future leader and posters made the city more beautiful. Independence of expression was seen for the first time with every candidate condemning the other and their campaigners running all around to make sure every vote is cast to their leader.“ On expenses and social ills Abdullah told me, “Well, it’s very expensive in Kabul to live. The way you earn, the same way you spend. Dollars come and go by very easily. Going from my home to office and around would cost me $200-250 per month only for oil.”
Ahmad Tariq, a student of Sociology at the famous Kabul University and a part time English language teacher at one of the numerous English Language Institutes in Kabul talked of job opportunities. Tariq maintained, “I’m in the 5th semester of my studies but there are numerous job opportunities. Translation, for instance, is a booming business in Kabul these days. Editing also added you can earn from $10-20 per page. I plan to open a translation and Editing Company soon after my graduation. I know a friend who has earned nearly a million dollars in the last eight years or so. Teaching is another business these days. Short courses offered at different Institutes are a major source of earning. Teachers are hired to deliver a lecture art $20 and every participant is easily charged $50 for a five days workshop and every class has a minimum of 50 students. Hence, I am going to this field.”
Many other youths at different jobs expressed similar views. One thing else common was that despite all this God for Bid if the country runs to political instability, everything would go to ruins.
These optimistic and working youth do have the potential to invest positively through their services and they need to be encouraged. Afghanistan shouldn’t only be viewed on the political plane rather the major investments that offer jobs to these youths should be invited in even larger numbers. Money comes into Afghanistan these days through different agencies. Hope everything goes on positively and those who wish to struggle violently for power come to an understanding that the nation isn’t ready to face another crisis.