Inshan Atta
Pakistan is one of the countries in the South Asian region which faces myriad challenges both at its external as well as internal fronts. Among those challenges, seven key threats are spelt out as under: 1: Population growth: Rapid growth in population is one of the critical threats. Population in country has exponentially increased over the past two decades, with growth at over than 2% percent, leading overall ratio around 220 million, one of the highest in the world. Growth with such alarming speed is an extremely dangerous for developing countries like Pakistan which lacks sufficient resources. Such unchecked rampant surge in population in a short span of time is no less than a nightmare as it in future might become even tougher to grapple with. Unambiguously, it heralds the pathetically poor polices and non – seriousness of all the successive governments. Sadly, despite the fact that unchecked, unregulated and continuous rapid hype in population poses a formidable challenge to country, it has been overlooked for years. Even Recently first – ever formulated national security policy too does not cater any clear policy about population control. And The absence of realization of gravity of the issue might hurl country sink deeper and deeper into the mire. 2: Corruption: So far endemic corruption in country is another such menaces. It permeates almost in every corner. Rapidly growing evil practice in the country in the realms of executive, judiciary and other institutions has weakened the overall edifice of the accountability upon which the entire manifesto of a sophisticated nation rests. Unfortunately, almost no institution in the country is preserved from the wickedness of corruption. More sadly, hardly any gravitas towards eradication is shown. Only political rhetoric seems to be revolving around. Prime Minister Imran khan, for example, since he assumed premiership, has been consistently lacerating opposition parties for the corruption. And he vowed with nation to get that looted money back from the previous leaders (whom he often termed as ‘mafias’), but so far he has recovered no money. On the contrary, Pakistan in his government has plunged 16 places in IT corruption perception index 2022, ranking now at 140 out of 180. Where after all the country is heading, towards its elimination or consolidation? 3: Gender disparity: Gender inequality in Pakistan in such modern times prevails at a larger extent which is no less than a serious jeopardy. Countries develop where male and female work together, countries flourish where disparity is almost non-existent, where discrimination on the basis of gender finds no place, where women empowerment prevails, where women is equally treated like a man. However, in patriarchal society like Pakistan, women confront multiple sort of violence. They are easily exploited and are vulnerable to forced conversion, honor killing, acid throwing etc. Enjoyment of Fundamental rights like right to education, right to marry of her own choice, right to work outside the home to them has been dreams for long. According to Global gender gap report 2020, Pakistan ranks at 153 out of 156 countries which is the worst manifestation. Such disparity and discrimination on the basis of gender is no less than a serious threat to the progression of the country. 4: Growing extremism: Fast – growing extremism in country poses another formidable challenge. It is causing much anguish to people as it seems to be hurling in upward direction. The number of blasphemy cases is rapidly mounting. Since 1947, according to report released by the center for research and security studies, so far more than 1400 such cases have been reported. More than 70% of the cases are from the Punjab alone. 177 cases in Sindh and around 50 from KPK and Balochistan collectively. Surging extremism has pushed people feel more insecure and unsafe mainly minority communities who are more prone to it. A week ago mob lynching of man under the allegations of tearing pages of holy quran in khanewal district of Punjab, and some time ago in sialkot burning of Sri Lankan manager are the overt embodiments of continuous spiral in extremism. 5: Spiral in terrorism: The Country has also witnessed a drastic hype in terrorism. The threat terrorism poses to national integrity of country is unimaginable. It has existed for a long and still remains to be unending. Terror attacks on daily basis somewhere around in country have become rife. Such attack on police check post in Islamabad, Lahore blast on 20January and more recent attack in Panjgur and Naushki in which a dozen of soldiers embraced martyrdom are clear manifestations of a tidal wave in terrorism. However, the incumbent government so far in tackling flood of terrorism oriented attacks seems to be incompetent. It has miserably failed. Despite TTP’s consideration of responsibility of handling various attacks in country, and instead of underscoring serious measures, it has consistently been providing olive branch to them which somehow shows state incapacity in dealing with them. 6: Weak economy: Economic backwardness is another such challenges. It is perhaps the gravest of all. Because other above- mentioned threats resolution somehow depends upon economic potentiality. And pathetic economy culminates into multiple other national crises. Pakistan is no exception to such situation. People have come on the streets owing to skyrocketing inflation in daily basis consumed products, energy crisis has worsened, crime has witnessed incremental surge, unemployment is rapidly growing ,compelling youth to indulge themselves in wrongdoings, farmers are also much concerned. Education and health sector also suffer heavily as they have no adequate resources to ensure the dispensation of highly standard services. Socio – economic conditions of people are deteriorating with each passing day as government is imposing heavy taxes to meet with international monetary fund (IMF) Conditionalties. 7: Political polarization: Political polarization is another such malady which has cramped the progress of the country. No inappropriateness in saying that it is historically deep-rooted. Throughout the history, all the political leaders have invariably prioritized their vested – interests over national interests. Compromised national development for the sake of their vicious gains. Sacrificed national security to fill their insatiable desire of money accumulation. Resultantly, the country kept moving towards backwardness manifold. Socio- economic conditions of people went a step further in deterioration. Food insecurity grew and still going so. No proper health provision. People in rural areas have no access to average education, let alone the highly standard education. An estimated 22.8 million children are out of school. Even today, there are many areas in country where availability of potable water remains to be a dream. Recommendations: In order to embark upon the journey of multifarious development and prosperity, Pakistan must bring about genuine economic reforms coupled with abandonment of unwavering habit of knocking International monetary fund (IMF) door. Strengthen institutions to strictly implement existing laws to dispose of corruption. Set boundaries for religious factions. Law making at national level espoused with unanimity with international organizations to mitigate gender disparity. A new approach towards terrorist groups needs to be brought in motion. Lastly, controlling fertility rate through law making, incubating awareness about family planning and applying Chinese three child policy can be better options tosurmount population growth.
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