Pakistan is currently facing a prevailing trend of deterioration in various aspects, including political and economic issues, the justice system, education, health, cleanliness, and domestic and foreign affairs. In just two days, two justices from the Supreme Court have resigned, leaving at least three vacant seats in the apex court.
While one position was already vacant, the resignations have raised concerns, with criticism from various analysts. The resignation of Justice Mazhar Naqvi from the Supreme Judicial Council and the remarks made by the Chief Justice regarding it suggest potential conflicts among the judicial authorities.
As of June 30, 2023, there were 54,965 pending cases in the Supreme Court under trial, reflecting a significant backlog. The political arena is also witnessing challenges, such as the Election Commission taking action against the PTI for alleged bogus intra-party elections. The case is currently in the Supreme Court.
When cases from various aspects of life reach the courts, remarks from the judiciary and criticism from the public, political parties, and sometimes influential individuals within institutions often follow. Judges, being human, are prone to errors in their decisions, and dissenting notes from fellow judges are not uncommon.
The country faces a challenge when government institutions fail to adhere to the rule of law. Despite court orders, the Election Commission did not publish the PTI’s party certification on its website, emphasizing the need for respect for judicial decisions. If state institutions fail to cooperate and disregard judicial decisions, what will happen to the governance of law and justice in the country?
On the economic front, the situation is concerning, with misuse of financial resources and continuous losses reported in various government institutions. The overall financial losses amounted to 1.4 trillion rupees, including significant losses in PIA and the National Highway Authority.
The inflation rate has reached 29.7%, and the GDP growth rate has declined by 10%. Approximately 2 crore children in the country are not attending school, highlighting a pressing issue for urban areas. The literacy rate is 40%, while 64% of the population is below 30 years old, facing high unemployment rates after completing education.
According to Henley Global, Pakistan recently ranked as the fourth-worst passport globally. From agriculture and industry to trade and online businesses, every sector in the country relies on the stability of the national currency. The continuous depreciation of the Pakistani rupee in recent months, coupled with the repayment of a $70 billion loan installment to the IMF, may bring temporary stability to the national currency.
The challenging conditions imposed by the IMF are impacting the common man, and the burden of inflation is increasing. While the government is using taxes to increase national revenue, it is essentially imposing hardship on the public.
Pakistan is forced to take additional loans for debt repayment, leading to a vicious cycle of borrowing and repayment. The nation is drowning in debts across generations, and lives are being affected, with no end in sight to the debt cycle.
The country must address the awareness of political parties regarding the issues faced by the people and demonstrate a serious commitment to solving them. Economic policies should focus on promoting businesses, investments, tourism, and agriculture, rather than relying solely on taxes. This approach might be the right solution for the challenges facing the blessed country of Pakistan.
