Bureaucracy, technocracy, diplomats, and their ilk first serve the government.
That is, the Riyasati Ashrafiya first enjoy perks, privileges, junkets, and salaries extracted from the tax money of the people.
In other words, first they keep occupying the space provided by the façade of governance.
When they retire and after exhausting all other lucrative opportunities, such as SOE boards’ membership and any foreign posting, they come to occupy the intellectual space.
Now they start writing columns and articles in the newspapers and magazines, print and digital, both in English and Urdu, and come to occupy the intellectual space.
Because of their connections and influential networking on the one hand, and complete lack of meritocracy in the editorial rooms of the newspapers and magazines on the other, they are exclusively entertained and prioritized here.
They do write books also. And narrate stories of their successes and service to the “ailing humanity.” Here they use their connections and are treated as special personages by the publishers. Their books also find reviews by the top reviewers and place in the top newspapers and magazines.
Thus, no intellectual space is left unoccupied for other aspiring intellects.
Because of such total occupancy of the intellectual space by the intellectual aristocracy (Danishwar Ashrafiya), no intellectual movement takes root in Pakistan.
That has momentous implications for the political and economic, social and intellectual development of society.
Note: This theme has been discussed at length in my forthcoming book, Danishwar Ashrafiya: Taana Baana, Ijara, Kirdar.
Khalil Ahmad
19 May 2026