APOLLO Creed’s iconic quote ‘there is no tomorrow’ has inspired a generation to go to the gym rather than procras-tinate, and has motivated others to do their jobs. But if we observe the work culture in Pakistan, the statement would change to ‘there is always tomorrow’ because we are seemingly too lazy to do our jobs today.

The work culture in Pakistan is toxic. There is office grouping and politics. But these problems exist to some extent in most organisations across the world. The thing that is rare and only found in Pakistan is the amount of time we waste and our level of unproductivity.

A World Bank report showed that the average Pakistani worker produces 40 per cent more value today than 30 years ago. Just to put this information into context, compare that to the average Vietnamese worker, who is 328pc more productive today.

We can never be productive if our office culture involves multiple tea breaks and discussions about politics, family matters, investment options, or suggestions about food outlets. People love to engage in useless talks on a daily basis at work- places instead of focussing on their official assignment.

The government and bureaucracy move at a snail’s pace. Simple tasks, such as signing a document or moving a file from one official to the other, are left for tomorrow due to the classic mentality of ‘why hurry when there is time’. The due date comes and passes by, but the tasks remain pending.

Progressive countries, like the United States, Japan and others, have created a culture of hard work and innovation, while we blame others for our shortcomings. The only reason we fall behind others is that we do not work hard enough, and believe that there is always a tomorrow.

Affan Khattak
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2024