Pakistan's Millennial aur Ghar kharidne ki khwahish!

If you are a millennial in Pakistan, you might feel more of an existing history-log of world’s transformation. From the Sega Mega or Nitendo, in 90s, to getting excited about the upcoming Play Station 5, you have had the experienced the ecstasy of virtual gameplay. In political spectrum you have seen the worst political turmoil prior to a seemingly less harmful enlightened dictatorship followed by the wishful era of recycled democracy since last one decade. From the one shop in city centre for buying Eid clothes to Mega malls with air conditioning, it feels like, you have really gained the increased level of quality of life.

My dear fellow inhabitants, from land of the pure, aging 26 to 40 years of age. Most of you must have been married by now or simply, taking the route of living your life with your own terms. Yet, when it will come to having a roof over your head, it would most probably be that you are living with your parents (which is the traditional way of living in subcontinent) or having your ‘own’ place with help of your parent’s fortune or blessing. Don’t take me wrong, but, our parents have done most of the work for us. Some planned investments and some luck, could have landed them a good piece of land.
Unfortunately, for us the chances are slimming down, to have one’s own house in a formidable locality in coming of age, by ourselves. Much is to be blamed on the governments for not subsidizing enough on low cost housing projects and curbing on development of luxury based housing societies. Though, not all blame goes to them, as globally the trend is, in creating high profits out of real estate sector with an angle of providing better ‘living conditions’, whereas, low cost apartments and housing are left to become ghettos due to negligence defended in name of less profitability. As a result of such a change, it’s speculated that millennial might not be able to afford buying houses in future. It is indeed alarming and worrisome for us, even more after two recession within a decade. With money losing its worth and inflation going haywire, the income seems to go on a snail’s pace and opportunities seems to getting scarcer. Hence, many millennials, risk everything, prefer to go abroad, work hard and gain prosperity.
When you go on the road, you see numerous advertisements of this city, that city, this town, that town, this housing society, that housing society. It’s like they are everywhere, and like, the moths to the flame, when you zoom around for details, get estranged. Either the ready-to-build-on plots or ready-to-live-in apartments are too costly to buy or the instalment plans of new or ongoing projects by even big brands are too good to rely upon (in such situation you might expect a 10-20 years or more of a delay in getting your property handed over to you or worse…. Never!). In the end you develop acceptance of your current state of living and have your aspirations burn down to dust.
Can we change this predicament? In short, NO!
In over economic system, much of the money in ‘economy’ comes from real estate and the richest people in land of the pure, are real estate Mongols or have conglomerates which have part of their empire invested in real estate sector. Inspite of what you want, their profits comes from selling lands bought with pennies, sold in gold to costumers, with a touch of polishing and patronization. While, we the working class, instead of being proud of our sweat, tears and blood… regrettably, are all divided on desire of achieving that social status which comes from a having a piece of these high end places. No law, no court, no religion, stops ‘them’ from squeezing out our life’s saving and pouring them into their cauldrons of profits.
In past, I did write about, suggesting construction of housing schemes for 3-5 marla plots – or houses plus limitation on the cost to 15-30 lacs (including construction). These housings must be met to be inhabited by working class which would help reduce the strain of their ever-so-dropping buying power. Whereas, subsidy and laxation should be given in zoning of 3 storey flats apartments, with range falling in 5 – 15 lacs. But when the governments announce such projects or approve such projects, which they seldom do, the ‘will’ behind carrying them out is weaker than hopes of cure for superstitions. I wish they could have built them quickly and efficiently, like motorways in our country, magar dost, hazaron khwahishen aisi ki har khwahish pe daam nikle. Least, I hope if the government subsidizes the graveyards and improve their maintenance, kiun kay jab ab, daam nikal hi jaye to kahi qabar kay paisay bhi na kaam niklay.