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In a recent op-ed that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared—sparking a frenzy of shares, memes, and debates across social media—a young criminology scholar declared “It is over” for Pakistan’s older generation in power. Zorain Nizamani’s piece painted a bleak picture: a disillusioned Gen Z tuning out boomer narratives, fleeing abroad amid economic despair, and rejecting forced patriotism in favor of Spotify playlists and silent exits. It’s a raw, viral cry that resonates with many frustrated youth, amplified by figures like PTI’s Shahbaz Gill and dissected in countless X threads. But while the generational rift is real, declaring defeat is premature. Far from over, this moment signals a beginning—a transcendental shift where experience merges with youthful vigor, forging a responsible, patriotic nation without the chaos of Sri Lankan protests or Bangladeshi uprisings.
Let’s not sugarcoat the challenges Nizamani highlights. Pakistan’s brain drain is hemorrhaging talent: official data shows over 2.9 million people left between 2022 and mid-2025, including 5,000 doctors and 11,000 engineers in 2025 alone, driven by economic instability and limited opportunities at home. Inflation hovers around 12.6%, youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, and restrictions on digital freedoms—like firewalls and freelancing regulations—fuel alienation. Gen Z’s demands for faster internet, affordable tech, and eased gig economy barriers clash with policies that seem designed to control rather than empower. As one X user quipped in a thread echoing Nizamani’s piece, “Gen Z wants untaxed smartphones; boomers want more rules.” It’s no wonder emigration spiked to 687,246 by November 2025, with many skilled professionals opting for “haqeeqi azadi” abroad.
