Pakistan’s first foreign minister, Mohammad Zafarullah Khan, was a prominent jurist and member of the Ahmadi community. However, despite the historic appointment in 1947, religious discrimination continues in the country. The recent case of prominent Princeton University professor Atif Mian, who was forced to resign from Pakistan’s Economic Advisory Council because of his religion, is a clear example of the ongoing struggle for religious tolerance and inclusion.
In his first speech, Prime Minister Jinnah made it clear that individuals, irrespective of their religion, caste or creed, have the freedom to worship at their preferred place of worship in Pakistan. Despite the constitution guaranteeing minority rights, discrimination against minorities still exists. This is similar to James Madison’s “parchment barrier” idea, which raises concerns about the validity of written guarantees. Just because you have a written right does not mean that it effectively protects your original rights.
Imran Khan’s government had appointed Atif to solve the country’s economic problems, but the appointment had to be revoked because he belongs to the minority Ahmadi community. Ahmadis make up only 0.9% of Pakistan’s population, but they have faced hate speech and other forms of discrimination.
Even United Nations experts have expressed alarm over reports of an increase in kidnappings, forced marriages and conversions of underage girls and young women from religious minorities in Pakistan. Additionally, we often witness many prominent influencers making harsh statements against minorities. Recently, a Chinese man was almost lynched by a mob on charges of blasphemy.
Pakistan is facing serious challenges such as the global economic situation, the Ukraine-Russia war, and soaring oil prices. Unfortunately, the Consumer Food Index has reached an all-time high of 27.5%, the highest in the past 50 years. People living in poverty are forced to use kerosene costing Rs 202.73 per liter to cook their meals. Other necessities like petrol, ghee and cooking oil are also becoming increasingly unaffordable for the common man. As a result, long lines forming outside stores have become a common sight.
The Pakistani rupee has suffered a significant devaluation of 44% since April 2022. International credit rating agencies have downgraded Pakistan’s rating seven times in the past year. Despite the economic growth of other Asian countries, Pakistan still faces problems of poverty, fragility and instability. Almost 39% of the population lives in multidimensional poverty and malnutrition affects her 44% of the population. The widening gap between rich and poor is also associated with a decline in the educational level of the population.
The Pakistani rupee has depreciated by 44% since April 2022, and international rating agencies downgraded its credit rating seven times last year. While other countries in Asia have become richer over the past few decades, Pakistan remains poor, fragile, and unstable. Approximately 39% of the population lives in the shadow of multidimensional poverty and 44% suffers from malnutrition. The issue of illiteracy in Pakistan is an important issue that requires our attention. Recent statistics have revealed a dire figure: around 25 million children are out of school in the country, the highest number in the world. Only one in four of her children completes the 10th grade, a worrying trend. In remote areas, literacy rates drop to 9%, mainly due to lack of education among girls. Additionally, it is estimated that around 22-23 million children drop out at primary level, exacerbating the problem. This situation highlights the urgent need for a concerted effort to strengthen education systems and ensure that all children have access to quality education.
Pakistan’s GDP per capita was the highest among India, Bangladesh and Vietnam in the early 2000s, but it has now fallen to the bottom. Furthermore, the coronavirus pandemic has worsened Pakistan’s economic situation, with the country’s economic contraction being 1% higher than the South Asian average of 5%. As a result, Pakistan frequently seeks assistance from the IMF, 23 times, more than any other country in South Asia. In contrast, India has requested assistance from the IMF only seven times, the last time in 1991. There were 12 deals in Bangladesh and 8 deals in Nepal. Pakistan’s investment-to-GDP ratio remains low at 15%, half of the South Asian average of 30% and one of the lowest in the world. This means inadequate infrastructure, limited access to energy and water, and suboptimal quality of schools and hospitals. What’s more, climate change is also taking a toll on infrastructure, with floods causing an estimated $30 billion worth of damage, according to an international study.
Despite having a large young population, Pakistan is primarily import-dependent and has limited production and innovation capacity, so it needs to improve productivity and skill sets. Last year, Pakistan imported more than twice as much as it exported.
To effectively deal with its fiscal problems, Pakistan needs to first address its social problems. A truly democratic society must respect the ethnic, cultural and religious identities of all its citizens, including minorities. Building a culture of tolerance is important to fostering a society that values ​​diversity and fosters growth.
Disclaimer
The views expressed above are the author’s own.
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