The Doctor from Pakistan who chose to drive a Taxi

Sometimes I talk to the taxi drivers. This day, I’m really glad I did. He was young, well dressed, smart, and used well spoken english even though it was clear he was from another country. Turns out, he was from Pakistan, and he was a Doctor.

Well not quite a doctor yet. He was 1 month from finishing his medical training when the opportunity came to go to the United States. At this point he said “You just have to do the unselfish thing.” How is coming to the US and driving a Taxi unselfish? He said that he earns more in one weekend than a doctor in Pakistan earns in an entire month.

I admit, I didn’t believe him. So I looked it up. Turns out he was right. According to the “Pakistan Times”, doctors in Pakistan earn an average of 18,000 Rupees a month, which is $182.74. Yes, you can earn more driving a cab in a single weekend than a Doctor in Pakistan earns in an entire month.

So how does this make that driver unselfish? He sends his money home to his mother and his siblings to give them a better life.

So the young, smart, educated, well spoken young man chooses to come to America and drive a cab rather than be a Doctor in Pakistan so he can help his family have a better life. Makes you think, doesn’t it?