Degrees, dreams and disappointment

There was a time when education was considered a bridge between hardship and dignity. A degree was not merely a document but a promise, a social contract between the individual and society that hard work, discipline, and learning would eventually lead to stability and respect. Parents sacrificed comfort, sold land, worked overtime, and endured personal hardships so their children could hold a university degree in their hands. That piece of paper symbolized hope. Today, for millions of young people in Pakistan, that promise feels increasingly broken. Across cities and villages alike, one can now find graduates carrying files from office to office, waiting endlessly for vacancies that never arrive. Degrees continue to multiply, but opportunities do not. Beneath the surface of rising educational enrolment lies a silent crisis, the growing disconnect between education and employability. Alongside this frustration emerges another alarming reality; the rise of drug abuse among young people who feel trapped between expectations and uncertainty. The tragedy is not merely unemployment. The deeper tragedy is psychological collapse. In many developed societies, particularly in parts of Europe and the United States, young people are introduced to responsibility early in life. Teenagers often work part-time jobs in restaurants, supermarkets, delivery services, farms, libraries, or retail stores while continuing their studies. There is no shame attached to labour. Work is considered a normal part of growth, independence, and character building. In countries like Germany, vocational education and apprenticeship systems are deeply integrated into the economy. Skills are respected as much as academic qualifications. In the United States, countless professionals and entrepreneurs began their journeys through small jobs during youth, building confidence, communication skills, and resilience along the way. In contrast, much of Pakistani society continues to attach dignity only to certa