Pakistan at 2047?

 

“…Pakistan is an extremely important country in its own right. If geography had placed it somewhere else in the world, it would be seen as one of the emerging critical nations of the twenty-first century, but geography puts it in the shadow of India. It needs more attention.” – an extract from The Future of Pakistan (Riedel, Foreword ix).

Pakistan was born in great barbarity and since its formation, it has become a home to more viciousness and brutality. The idea of Pakistan after 75 years of its independence is divergent from the idea that was fabricated at the time of partition. The emergence of Pakistan as a newly born state was based on a liberal ideology that established a stupendous Islamic affinity, redefining its boundaries and transforming the political, economic, and social dominion.  

Islam is considered to be an influential instrument in accelerating the formation of Pakistan. Jinnah’s idea of Pakistan revolved around the fundamental principles of Islam, which proved to be a major asset in forming its constitution. The significance of religion in the creation of Pakistan was intended to cancel out monarchism in the land and to grant religious freedom and equal citizenship to all individuals.

However, after 75 years of independence, the idea of Pakistan has molded itself in total contrast to what the earliest leaders desired. The design of today’s Pakistan is a product of Western democracy and the degradation of Islamic principles; confining the role of Islam as a cultural identity. This can be traced back to the social hierarchies and the structure of governance inherited from the colonial subcontinent, which was deep-rooted in the land to such an extent that even after independence from British rule, the social hierarchies became an indefinite part of the post-colonial land. As a consequence, decades after the formation of Pakistan, the rulers of this land continue following the ideological dimension of colonial rule and controlling the population through brutal forces.

The use of barbaric forces, by the British, to elevate blockades between the elite and lower classes enforced racism and an increased class divide in the society. In today’s Pakistan, this cogency is perceivable through the unfair share of resources between classes, heavy protocols for the people in power, increasing security for elite spaces, uneven opportunities, cultural discrimination, ethnic violence, frail law and order, enforced patriarchal culture, etc.

This narrative puts a worrisome question on the future of Pakistan after 100 years of its emergence on the global map, considering how 75 years for a nation is considered a trial period or fleeting time for a nation. But what is more vexatious is the period of even less than 3 decades for Pakistan to celebrate its 100^th independence in 2047!

Many Pakistanis who witnessed the freedom movement and the creation of Pakistan may well have passed on. The generations that followed them later could not understand the true context, of the purpose of the formation of Pakistan and the sacrifices, determination, enthusiasm, and steadfastness of the people involved in the freedom struggle, to understand the structural and systematic issues of the state from a post-colonial lens and strive to work with the same indefatigability and staying power for their country, as their ancestors did.

Moreover, the insufficiency of technological means, deep-rooted post-colonial cultural practices, gaslighting of state issues by corrupt leaders and rulers, lack of rational thinking, and absence of a curriculum that includes the study of the constitution and parliamentary institutions, all contributed to the later generations’ political unawareness and lack of understanding of why democratic institutions and norms have not taken root in Pakistan.

However, the advent of media platforms and advanced technological means has challenged the narrative and inherited practices of the millennials, and has developed more rationalized and critical thinking among the youth of Pakistan.

With around 69% of the population below the age of 30 and 29% between the ages of 15-24(according to the latest census), Pakistan is considered one of the highest youth population countries in the world. Keeping in view the improved available means that have encouraged the youth, over time, to shatter stereotypes, recognize discrimination and oppression, be more tolerant towards diverse opinions and subgroups, and create new empowerment opportunities, the younger generations have become change agents of Pakistan, with a devotion to eventually shape the country’s future as a neoteric and liberal nation.   

“Pakistan is proud of her youth, particularly the students who have always been in the forefront in the hour of trial and need. You are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow and must fully equip yourself with discipline, education, and training for the arduous task ahead of you. You should realize the magnitude of your responsibility and be ready to bear it.” (Jinnah, October, 31,1947)

The above intuitive words from Quaid-e-Azam accentuate the significance of youth as a cherished asset, as well as set forth a prediction for the country's youth to play an integral part in nation-building, shaping, and redefining Pakistan’s future for good. Determined on the vision of the Father of the Nation, Pakistan’s youth is the only true asset left for the country to survive in this politically unstable and chaotic world crisis and global changes.

Since former Prime Minister, Imran Khan’s inauguration via a vote of no confidence in the National Assembly, and the installation of a new government, the political and economic situation of the country has deteriorated, and the socio-political institutions have been disassembled. Though examining history, Pakistan has been demarcating sovereignty since coon’s age, and the state of affairs has never been this extraordinary and passionate. Since the origination of Pakistan, it has witnessed events of ethnic violence, mass killings, threats to the state’s ideology, disassembling of governments, and the formation of new subsequently, it has never witnessed its masses, particularly its youth, oppose so enthusiastically towards state institutions, reforms, and policies imposed on them.

The youth of today’s Pakistan is strong-minded, clear-headed, have a rational thought process, and can identify and verbalize their concerns and maltreatment done to them and their country. These acts of resistance and enthusiasm by today’s youth, undoubtedly, complement those of 1947 young freedom fighters. The youth present at the time of the partition witnessed all sorts of injustices, grievances, discrimination, and enslavement, that align with the freedom fight of today’s youth in Pakistan. Today’s youth is a mix of myriad influences, the same which transpired in the youth of 1947, that makes both sets of youth carry the same baggage.

However, comparing the resources and experiences between today’s youth and the youth of the 1947 partition, it is safe to say that today’s youth have an upper hand in terms of possessing resources – modern media, diverse platforms, fast communication, better research tools, advanced technological means – that requires them to work with more zeal and passion for a progressive nation.

In terms of education, the new generation is considered more sharp-witted and progressive than the former one. This is mainly due to the availability of diverse fields and subjects, which did not exist earlier for the millennials, and the ability of younger generations to analyze different stereotypes associated with different genders to confine themselves to a limited area of study. This narrative brings possibility and aspiration for the youth to bring about a drastic change in the education sector by empowering the government education institutions, amalgamating universities, publicity research, development institutions, and businesses to adopt modernization and high technology for meeting the interchanging demand and predilection for consumption of goods and services. The availability of developed means for exploration and research has allowed today’s younger generation to scrutinize the history of Pakistan’s origin in its true sense, and analyze how post-colonial practices are deteriorating the institutions and affairs of the state.

 Having a better grip on the knowledge of the roots would eventually shape a better Pakistan by the year 2047. A deep analysis of the colonial era would also open possibilities for understanding certain current political and constitutional practices, that will sooner or later allow Constitution to appear as an independent, compulsory course in higher grades for the youth.

A better interpretation of the constitution would arise hope for the nationals of the country, by 2047, to classify themselves as ruling subjects in a sovereign, independent state, and will also assist them in studying the law and how the Constitution of Pakistan protects the rights of the population belonging to the white portion of the flag. In a country where the population belonging to the white portion of the flag is in constant threat and menace for their property, honor, protection, belongings, employment, and even their LIVES, an improved constitutional knowledge will act as a transformative power for the privileged groups to recognize the ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious identity of the minorities and the discrimination and challenges they face on daily basis, to make a decent living.   

While the above measures suit as rightly for a progressive future Pakistan, there are still several sectors that require refinement and act as a factor for improving the lives of the minorities in Pakistan. One of such many sectors is the law-and-order sect in Pakistan, which is currently disintegrating due to being in hands of powerful, elite lawmakers, who merely focus on molding policies, that are only central to the working masses. The same working class who are already living a challenging life in a third-world country to make ends meet.

A progressive 2047 Pakistan, calls for a better system of accountability, regulations, legal practices, equal law for all citizens, training of lawyers, government services, and justice for all – an improved judicial system. The possibility of such Pakistan in 2047 seems partially convincing due to the availability of advanced legal training options available to today’s youth, that allow them to experience academic and cultural interaction with western legal academics, practices, legal practitioners, and law systems. This eventually leads them to conduct an economic analysis of law in the west and allows them to gain valuable insight into the latest trends associated with legal academia, government services, politics, legal profession, and practices. Observance of a better and improvised judicial system and procedural laws in the west would encourage the youth to recognize the delays, corruption, incompetence, and other inefficiencies present in the current Pakistani judicial system, and to overcome them by properly implementing the procedural norms. Proper implementation of laws and a refined judicial system would open the gates for international trade and better opportunities for economic growth in Pakistan.

Since its emergence on the world map, Pakistan has been in a critical geographical position concerning the complex world politics and the global power structure, that is directly influencing its strategic direction to maintain diplomatic relations, especially with countries like China, Russia, the USA, India, and Afghanistan. While comparing Pakistan’s power potential in world politics, compared to its arch-rival neighbor, India, it is interpreted by the world’s major powers’ interests - in terms of gaining economic advantages - that Pakistan is relatively far behind India in offering the same scope of political, strategic, and economic clout that India brandishes in its relations with the major powers. Spilling more on Pakistan’s relations with its turbulent and hostile neighborhood, and how these are crumbing Pakistan’s growth as a nation, the engorgement of the Afghan War into Pakistan has given unrivaled rise to homegrown extremism and terrorism, to a large extent in the western provinces and along the tribal border district with Afghanistan. The Pakistani military and civilians have suffered eminently, as has the country’s economy, which is in an appalling crisis.

Surrounded by these sufferings and misfortunes, the realization of Pakistan’s need to remodel its military faces significant challenges. For the most part, these challenges arise from debilitated jurisprudence and corrupt social and political institutions.

The 2047 Pakistan will be able to focus on its demands for improving national security, by abandoning past colonial practices and by aiming for better legal education, leading to better legislators, which ultimately leads to a better rule of law. Improvised legislation can help future governments develop better infrastructure, enhance the lifestyle of citizens, and assist in the betterment of economic and human development indicators, which would result in a growth in national income through the increase in exports – increased economic revival – and more opportunities for the people. This could also serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to serve as a transit hub, energy, and trade corridor for Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Western China. Access to foreign exchange can help Pakistan to satisfy its demands for domestic and international transit trade, escalate its global stability, secure its currency devaluation, check over its debts and sort out the issue of balance of payment deficit.   

Flourishing economic growth, through trade, would translate into more employment opportunities, particularly for people living in tribal areas or along the coastline. Encountering trade imbalance in Pakistan by 2047 would encourage import substitution and our state’s dependency on developed states to feed its population. It would also encourage the birth of new domestic industries and local businesses that produce goods that are competitive with the imported ones, which would allow the preservation of foreign currency and curtail pressure on foreign supply.

These measures can make room for more women empowerment opportunities in Pakistan by 2047, and allow more women to move into a growing space as innovators, entrepreneurs, start-up founders, techies, businesswomen, as well as home-based workers. Promoting gender equality in workplaces would not only prove to be beneficial in terms of improving the society’s social structure but would also stimulate the state’s economic growth, considering that women currently represent 38.8% of the global labor force, and just 20% of Pakistan, despite having more female population.   

     

  Considering the current population of Pakistan, the percentage of youth, and the descending unemployment rate, a 2047 Pakistan would not only depend on its youth acquiring educational qualifications from state-of-the-art institutions but also on acquiring essential job skills. This would result in an unprecedented and rapid rise in jobs – with the improvement of technological means – along with a rapid influx of roles at the forefront of the data and AI economy, in addition to new positions in engineering, cloud computing, and product development, which would carve a way for the development of Pakistan.

Pakistan started its existence on the rear hoof and has been trying to keep up ever since. After 75 years of its surfacing on the global map, Pakistan stands firm against all kinds of oppressions, structural problems, storms, and challenges, amidst all the global chaos and world politics. It was considered an example of development in its first 30 years but was not able to maintain its reputation and keep pace over the decades. The idea of a progressive Pakistan after 100 years of its independence, and the measures supporting it, seek to recognize the main developments that will be inevitable if Pakistan is to become a strong and secure upper middle-income country. 

The implementation of the above-stated initiatives is not an overnight process leading to the welfare of the state, nevertheless, decisions taken over during the next decade over these initiatives or measures will eventually influence Pakistan’s future. The question however rises if Pakistan, by 2047, will be able to ascent to the challenges ahead while revolutionizing its social and economic structure, and will the upcoming generations in Pakistan will see an improved welfare state?

A better Pakistan?