Zia Ali Tabinda Balghari
Sometimes when I try to think over the claims made by our forefathers to advocate the creation of Pakistan as a -Welfare State, I get surprised. Maybe they were on the right side of their accord but how the dynamic change followed by catastrophic events that happened post-independence re-defines the theory of the welfare state. It would not be wrong to say that this country is now only a welfare state for the elite class of society ranging from the politicians, generals, jurists, and other civil and private officers only. This stratum hardly makes the one percent of the whole population but it has usurped the resources of the whole country by hooks and crooks. Only one percent enjoy the resources controlling the country are the beneficiaries of the generation of wealth and only are provided with opportunities. This usurpation of power leading to a social divide in Pakistan has been highlighted by a former Federal Finance Minister who has termed the country a “One percent Republic”. Their influence is so persuasive that according to the United Nations development program, UNDP economic privileges according to the powerful elite in Pakistan add up to an estimated 17.4 billion dollars or 6% of the economy. The scenario is completely antiparallel to the democratic norms that elites are being provided subsidies at the cost of the middle and down class of society. It is abysmal to fuel consumption-driven, lifestyles by building luxury housing societies of the elite, the 99%- rest of the population being used as a scapegoat. At the same time when most people are struggling to make ends meet and have been forced to put a cut on necessities of life such as food, medicine, and utilities the upper class especially the politicians are busy with their petty interests to guard them irrespective of the scenario that even the Nation’s integrity is at the verge. Unfortunately, we have politicians, not leaders which is what the state is needed for. Political shenanigans and their bouncing-back blaming culture have created a panic situation throughout the country. Except few, most media outlets are also busy discussing Political talk shows instead of other crises which also demand mainstream Media coverage is unfortunately not being ensured like the hike in prices, health issues, and educational and other social issues are not being discussed. It shows nothing but only the ineptitude and lack of leadership over the horizon of the state that despite being the world’s 5th largest populated country almost 60% of young and energetic youths have taken no steps till now to use this bulk amount of youth constructively. The increase in population is not an issue as the lack of planning itself is. According to a careful estimate, we have 5 million additions in population annually, of which 4 million turn 18 every year. These boys and girls will go on seeking higher education or they will start doing Jobs or businesses. According to an estimate, 850,0000 children are matric and intermediate level with 22,500 with O and A level backgrounds, the remaining 3.12 million will be without education. The reason is that education is like business and costly which everyone could afford. Still, the educational apartheid in Pakistan can be gauged from the fact that only a single institution, that is Aitchison College Lahore, an elite class institution where a poor man cannot even think of educating his children produces people that dominate the country’s policy-making fraternity. Pakistan has 0.3 million educational institutions in both private and public sectors; they cannot compete with Aitichison and KGS i.e. Karachi Grammar School in this domain along with the Hassan Abdal Cadet College and some other institutions whose graduates are around 8000 to 9000 annually. If this educational apartheid persists, in the next 30 years only these people will dominate Pakistan, as only they will hold high positions. The rest of the population will not be able to get any significant position. Thus in Pakistan, only one person is an elite class and Pakistan is a great country for this one percent chunk of the population. Even a person outside of this group progresses and makes his marks only if he possesses exceptional talents coupled with extraordinary hard work. When opportunities get limited competition becomes strong and the Survival of the fittest theory is found applicable to every part of life. Pakistan is a rich country where poor people live under the dictum and oppressed and despotic government of Tyrant elites. Many issues coupled with the lack of a trickle-down mechanism and political instability, followed by the economic turmoil compelled them to leave the country. Because of the flawed policies, we are still unable to use this huge chunk of energetic and enthusiastic Youths constructively; rather we are using them every day protesting on the road and indulging in heinous activities. How can we expect leaders from this generation who are exposed to numerous negative radiations from society ranging from moral, social finance and much more complexity? More than 50% of the school-going-age children are outside the school either on the roads, in restaurants, or workshops falling prey to rights violations every day. Dawn is only possible with the complete struggle against dusk. Self-prosecution is what the need of the hour is, instead of blaming each other. Education policies should be changed keeping the changing global curriculum in mind. Technical Education must be encouraged and it’s the only way to convert our great problem-growing population into our strength using this power, ensuring law and order, and an egalitarian approach must be made possible. Otherwise, if the majority of the population is being alienated or marginalized whilst the whole wealth of Pakistan is owned by one percent class then there is no light at the end of the tunnel. There are role models and examples in many countries that after dynamic and landmark reforms turned the table like we have the Chinese revolution, Bangladesh, Korea, India, and many other countries that got independence even after us. They are better off in terms of economy, politics, and Rule of law which is the panacea of this curse we are facing because of injustice. Law and order surety is the only medicine to cure this disease at its benign level before the malignant one. Otherwise, the elite wielding power will be held responsible and accountable for Pakistan becoming a failed state in the domestic and foreign policy arena.
