Before discussing the efforts of the current government to overcome the problems of Pakistan, we should take a look at the main problems of Pakistan.
Pakistan came into being in 1947. Since its inception it has been surrounded by countless internal as well as external problems. All these problems seem to have become fate of our country. Problems like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, provincialism, Baluchistan issue, extremism, terrorism etc. are now posing a great threat to our existence. Despite being rich in natural resources we still are unable to utilize them fully and fairly. Due to underutilization of these vast resources, we are still a way behind in the race of development. Not only internal problems have kept Pakistan engaged but also external problems have always been a bolt from blue for our country. It is mainly due to the mishandling of the internal issues. Our country is losing its true image. This has resulted in foreign interventions into our national affairs and has undermined our progress. According to the current government of PMLN, they are trying their best but the problems of Pakistan are still present as in the past.
The present era is the age of low intensity conflicts rather than conventional wars. So, it is extremely important to understand our internal dynamics, challenges and threats such as national integration, ethnicity, sectarianism, drug mafia, political system, bad economic conditions and economic disparities, and geographic vulnerabilities. The main internal fronts which are directly affecting the foreign policy of Pakistan are the followings;
Political stability is one of the biggest threats that Pakistan has from the very beginning. The incompetence of our leaders has always provided the army a golden chance to topple the elected governments. Every military ruler has seized the power with countless promises to the masses. But with the passage of time, political leaders learnt from their misdeeds and last government of PPP had completed their tenure. After the election of 2013, Pakistan has faced political stability on many situations but this time PMLN government is on their way to complete their tenure of five years. Current government has organized many APCs to overcome the issue of political instability but the situation is growing negatively day by day.
Furthermore, judiciary is another problem of Pakistan. Justice in Pakistan is very far behind. Courts are for the poor citizens of the country. There are no courts, no cases and no judiciary for the aristocratic class of the country. PMLN government in punjab is working on this issue very effectively. CM Punjab has introduced many reforms in the system of judiciary. Hope that after several years, each citizen of the country will be considered equal in the eyes of courts.
Energy crisis is further adding to the problems of Pakistan. Energy crisis is not less than a threat. It has proved a bolt from blue for our economy. PMLN government has worked very much on the said issue so far. PM Pakistan has signed many projects of energy formation with several countries in which China is above all. The project of CPEC with China will lessen all the energy crisis of Pakistan.
Water shortage is another setback to our country. Being agricultural, our country largely depends on canal water for irrigation. But the mismanagement of water resources and Indian hegemony has caused the shortage. The role of Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has also been dismal in this regard. Current government is trying to establish the positive relations with India so that the mismanagement of water which India performs off and on can be managed and we could overvcome this issue.
Illiteracy is not less than a curse for a society. Education has been the most neglected sector in Pakistan. The fact that 50% of children do not complete their primary education testifies this fact. Uneducated adults are burden on national exchequer. Economy prospers in educated society. Every year, Nawaz government makes a huge amount of budget for Education. Education in KPK is growing faster. Punjab government is taking steps to illiminate the illiteracy from the country. CM Punjab has taken many steps to educate the Pakistan by appointing many young educators every year, by giving free education in govt schools, by establishing many govt schools in the province.
Corruption is another major threat. It has assumed the shape of a fashion in our society. It has firmly entrenched its roots in our society. It has become the part of each and every department of government. From clerical staff to higher officers and bureaucrats, all are involved in corruption of one kind or the other. It is weakening the roots of our system. Current govenment is failed to overcome this issue positively.
Relations of Pakistan with the neighbouring countries are also another issue. Our relation with India is growing negatively due the Kashmir issue and due to terrorism. Relation with Afghanistan is also growing badly due to terrorism. Current government is trying to establish the positive relations with the said countries but they are failed to do so.
It is a fact that there are many hurdles in running the country. But sincere leadership with proper management can do wonders. It is never too late to act. What is needed is the proper implementation of policies. Here are some suggestions to climb out of internal problems.
• There should be balance between all the institutions of the country. All institutions must work within the boundary of their limit. It will ensure the proper functioning of the governmental machinery.
• The centre and the federating units must develop good relation. All the thorny issues between them should be resolved with the sincerity of purpose. Grievances of the provinces must be redressed on priority basis.
• Equal distribution of natural resources must be ensured. Provinces must be given right and due share over their natural resources.
• Justice is indispensible to good governance. Access to cheap and quick justice should be made possible for everyone. Dispensation of justice must be irrespective of class, creed and religion.
• Economic policies must be revised. They must be reformed to meet the demands of the poor masses. Agricultural and industrial sectors must be revolutionized to attract investment and boost the economy.
• Cut-down of extra expenditure by down-sizing the administrative setup is the dire need of the hour. It would be greatly helpful in reducing debt burden from our country.
• All the institutions responsible for maintaining accountability should be authorized. Legislation must be enacted to improve accountability. It must be started from the top. Everyone, no matter how powerful is he, must be brought to book.
• Anti-corruption courts be established. All the cases of corruption must be decided on priority basis to check the wheel of corruption.
• Media should be made free. Freedom of media is the real essence of good governance. Media is called the fourth pillar of the state and is instrumental in ensuring good governance.
It can be concluded that Pakistan is trapped in numerous internal problems. All the problems are interlinked to one another. They have formed a vicious circle and appear again and again in one form or the other. Every government has always ignored them considering as minor. This sheer negligence from the part of our government, whether democratic or doctorial, has turned these issues into a grave threat. They have now become the biggest challenge for our country. In the wake of these challenges, Pakistan’s survival is at stake. Trapped in the shackles of internal problems our country has been unable to promote its fair image on external front. It is proving fatal and undermining our stance on internal level. Time is ripe now to address internal issues on priority basis before they go out of control. These issue, challenges and threats must seriously be considered by our policy makers. Policies, to tackle them, be made and implemented with the sincerity of purpose. Collective efforts are required on all fronts. The whole nation must join hands in hands to face them. No issue can be resolved in an overnight. A sustained effort and toil is needed in order to uproot these problems. Our intelligentsia, scholars, writers, champions, and educated strata can be instrumental in this regard. A strong Pakistan should be our first priority. If we have to make certain hard decisions for its accomplishment no one should hesitate to lead and pull the trigger. Indeed, Pakistan comes first even before our personal vested interests.
Edited By: Muhammad Waqas
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