In times like these when everyone is frustrated – people are sick of the political and social situation of the country and are trying to run away, when everyday starts and ends with a bomb blast, when schools are closed down because of bomb threats, when we think twice before stepping out of our homes, I want to say that I'm still proud to be a Pakistani and I haven't lost faith!

For me, being a Pakistani is much more than wearing a green shirt on Independence Day or waving a flag when we win a cricket match. Pakistan is our identity, it's our country! Being a true Pakistani means standing by our country through every thick and thin and accepting the fact that we belong to this land! That's what patriotism is all about.

I agree that the situation of this country has demotivated people, but we need to realise that commitment and belonging to a country is a different thing. You can change your brand of toothpaste or cell phone whenever you want to, but you can never change your identity!

When people ask me why I even bother to write and insist others to be patriotic, I just smile at them because I know the answer is a bit too long for one conversation. However, today I have decided to pen down the reasons why I feel so connected to this country.

This is the place where I took my first breath, I was born here. This is the place where I learnt to walk and talk. This is where I learnt what relationships are and how to value them.

It is where you call a relative just once in time of need and they come to your rescue. This is the place where people come and see you if you aren't well, where you'll have the entire family at your child's wedding to bless him/her. It's much more than just emotional bonding with this place. This place is a part of me and I am a part of this place! How do you expect me to lose faith in this land so soon?

The flawed system of our country and the dilapidated political situation are not the only problems that we are facing today. These problems were always there. But we still survived. We kept on going ahead no matter how slow the pace was. The problem is that now we have lost faith in our country. Years back you could pick any child from any part of the country and he would say, "Pakistan is the best". Today, I doubt that. Kids would say that they want to live in America instead of Pakistan. I wonder what makes them say it. But the answer is very simple. It's because of us! Their minds are immature; they cannot decide anything by themselves. They have been slowly and unconsciously poisoned by us – their elders – to say this. So, the problem lies with us. We need to realise that we are going through bad times, but time changes. It passes by. It never remains the same. All we need to do is have faith and try to bring about a change!

Still, if you can't wait for the dark clouds to go away, go seek out greener pastures, all the very best to you. But don't forget that in a foreign land, you will always be a second class citizen. We may be facing some disadvantages in this land, but I'm proud to say that I don't feel like an alien here. I am a proud citizen.