Just staying alive is an achievement,’ says Romaisa

Actor Romaisa Khan has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security and social conditions in Pakistan, saying growing incidents of violence, sexual assault, murder and official negligence have left people feeling helpless and exhausted.

Romaisa Khan, who was recently seen in the drama Dar-e-Nijaat, shared an emotional video on Instagram in which she questioned whether leaving the country could really be considered a solution to the problems facing young Pakistanis.

She said moving abroad was not easy for everyone. People need education and employment opportunities before they can build a life elsewhere. She argued that access to quality education remains a major challenge, particularly for women.

Romaisa Khan said young people who manage to study and establish careers abroad may still struggle with the thought of leaving their families behind in Pakistan. She pointed to repeated reports of children, women and men becoming victims of violence and crime.

The actor said the constant exposure to disturbing incidents has affected the mental wellbeing of ordinary citizens. She described simply reaching home safely after travelling from one place to another as a challenge for many people.

According to Romaisa, people are increasingly consumed by anxiety and fear instead of being able to focus on their careers, creativity and ambitions. She questioned how young Pakistanis can contribute to the country when so much of their energy is spent worrying about their personal safety.

She also highlighted the concerns faced by parents, particularly mothers. Khan said parents constantly worry about whether their children have reached school safely, returned home safely or faced any danger.

She said women also live with fears of robbery, kidnapping, sexual violence and murder. These concerns, she argued, have become so overwhelming that merely surviving the day safely is increasingly viewed as an achievement.

Khan also spoke about the need to improve how boys and men are taught to interact with women. She stressed the importance of respecting personal boundaries, accepting rejection and creating an environment where women can feel safe in public spaces.

She condemned the sexualisation and abuse of women and children and questioned how such crimes could continue to occur against extremely young victims.

The actor linked the problem to failures in education and social upbringing. She argued that people must be taught how to coexist respectfully and responsibly with others.

Khan also criticised the tendency to treat discussions about violence against women as an attack on men. She urged men to speak openly against such crimes instead of becoming defensive when the issue is raised.

She called for society to address the root causes of violence rather than focusing only on individual incidents after they occur.

Khan referred to cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, kidnappings and killings. She said such incidents can destroy the sense of security and trust that families depend upon.

She further questioned how parents can sleep peacefully when they fear that their children could face danger while going to school or other places.

The actor also raised concerns about disasters and inadequate safety measures, referring to major fires and other tragedies in the country. She questioned the lack of effective prevention, emergency preparedness and accountability.

Khan said people repeatedly raise their voices but often feel that nobody is listening or taking responsibility.