essay on social problems of pakistan

Social Issues in Pakistan – 10 Major Social Problems

Pakistan is a South-Asian developing country. It is 5th most populous country in the world. Given this fact, Pakistan is beset with multiple social issues. In this write-up, we shall discuss the social problems of Pakistan that are miring the progress of the country.

Some major social issues in Pakistan are:

• Over-population
• Unemployment
• Child Labour
• Lack of Rule of Law
• Violence, Terrorism, and Extremism
• Gender Discrimination
• Issues pertaining to Girls
• Early and Forced Marriages
• Acid-Throwing

…and the list goes on and on… These are some major social issues that Pakistan is currently beset with.

Top 10 Major Social Problems And Issues In Pakistan

Let us now discuss the major social issues in Pakistan in detail.

1. Over-Population

Overpopulation is a major social issue in Pakistan. The total population of Pakistan is circa 221 million making Pakistan the fifth most populous country in the world.

Moreover, the population growth rate is 2.8% which means an additional 3.6 million each year in Pakistan. As per estimates, the population of Pakistan will double from the current 221 million to 440 million by 2055. Thus, the population is increasing day by day.

Overpopulation is generally considered the root cause of all social evils. Over-population leads to crimes, social unrest, deforestation , environmental issues, water crisis, exhaustion of resources, unemployment, lawlessness, corruption , etc.

2. Illiteracy

As per reports , the literacy rate in Pakistan is 58 percent only. Illiteracy leads to inequality among the masses, class differences, social divisions, unemployment, poverty, etc. Illiteracy is the major reason why Pakistan is still a third-world developing country and lagging behind the world in various fields.

3. Unemployment

Unemployment is another major issue in Pakistan. As per reports , the unemployment rate in Pakistan was at approximately 4.45 percent in 2019. Recently, due to the recent pandemic, like in other countries, unemployment has obviously skyrocketed.

The lack of meritocracy and illiteracy on a large scale are major factors behind unemployment. Furthermore, unemployment gives rise to various social issues like poverty, backwardness, the economic downfall of the country, etc.

Poverty is another major social problem in Pakistan. According to a report submitted by the Ministry of Planning and Development in the National Assembly of Pakistan, around 29.5% of Pakistani lived below the poverty line which translates into 55 million people. Moreover, the Economic Survey 2019-20 estimates that another 10 million people are likely to slip below the poverty line.

Devoid of resources to earn, people often turn to illegal ways like snatching, stealing, corruption, extortion, etc. for survival. Thus, it will be apt to say that poverty is the mother of various social evils.

5. Child Labour

Child labor is in an inverse relationship to the literacy rate and development of the country. Due to poverty, children are often forced to earn for the family.

In Pakistan, many young boys are working in restaurants, workshops, as conductors in public transport, etc. These children without schooling often get involved in various social evils. Morality and character-building are something one can learn from his social circle, companions, and schools.

Thus, child labor gives rise to a number of other social issues.

6. Corruption

Rampant corruption in almost every stratum of society in Pakistan is another social evil. Corruption is widespread in every class of society. It leads to illiteracy when students fail to get admission where they deserve it. Moreover, it also leads to unemployment due to a lack of merit and nepotism.

Corruption also leads to economic downfall. It also leads to injustice. Moreover, corruption also gives rise to crimes and terrorism when people fail to get their rights.

7. Lack of Rule of Law

In Pakistan, lawlessness is another social problem. On the lower level, people commonly violate traffic rules i.e. breaking signals. On a higher level, the ‘one country two rules’ principle is observed when influential people even after doing massive corruption on large scale go scot-free, while a poor person gets proper punishment after committing a minor crime.

Thus, the lack of across-the-board accountability and lack of rule of law is severely tarnishing the image of Pakistan on the global stage.

8. Nepotism

Nepotism means; favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs. Nepotism falls under the category of corruption.

Due to nepotism, deserving people cannot get admissions or jobs. As a result, intelligent and skilled people couldn’t serve the country in various domains. Also, for this reason, Pakistan is lagging behind the world in many fields.

9. Violence, Terrorism & Extremism

Violence exists in many forms in Pakistan. Most women suffer from domestic violence. Moreover, many cases of violence in Madrassahs and schools often surface on social media or in the news.

On the state level, religious violence and extremism are commonplace examples. Sit-ins at Faizabad interchange Islamabad by TLP and the destruction of public properties by some extremist elements are examples of religious violence in Pakistan.

Moreover, Pakistan has remained a target of terrorism since 2001. However, the incidents of terrorism have scaled down considerably.

10. Gender Discrimination

In Pakistan, gender discrimination has remained a major social issue since independence. Women are mostly sidelined from the educational and economic sector and confined to a domestic sphere with unpaid jobs. Undue restrictions are often placed on girls mostly in rural areas.

Furthermore, women and girls are not allowed to leave the house, thus barring them from jobs. In fact, gender discrimination is a social problem in Pakistan . Pakistani society is predominantly a patriarchal society that places women in an inferior position to men.

Moreover, there are various other social problems and issues in Pakistan pertaining to women and girls that include early or forced marriages, public harassment, acid attacks, and rape.

Mostly, in rural areas, child marriage at an early age is very common. It leads to excessive childbearing and health deterioration. Moreover, girls remain uneducated which ultimately impacts the upbringing of children.

Moreover, in the urban sphere and cities, girls often face public harassment. Most girls are sexually harassed at their workplaces. Many relevant cases have been reported so far in Pakistan.

Apart from these, cases of acid throwing at girls are also increasing day by day. Usually, when a girl rejects a proposal, considering this humiliation, the rejection is often avenged by acid thrown on the face of the girl leaving her disfigured for good and spoiling her future.

Also, rape cases are also rampant in Pakistan. Almost every day we hear such news on television.

Stringent law-making is the need of the hour to curb the issues pertaining to girls and women in Pakistan.

Wrapping Up

So these were the major social problems of Pakistan . For the progress and development of the country, it is the need of the hour that the state must make policies and take pragmatic measures to tackle these social issues.

Otherwise, these social problems and issues will keep hampering Pakistani society from making progress.

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About the author.

A versatile human being with a passion for reading and writing - always striving for growth, living in the moment but trying to keep pace with the evolving world.

[…] But, with the introduction of social media at all levels, the gap between rulers and those ruled vanished. Today, people are vocal about their problems on social media that usually results in swift action from concerned authorities. Thus, governance structures have considerably improved now. Moreover, corruption cases are highlighted more frequently today due to social media. Thus, social media has given people a medium to highlight various social issues. […]

[…] we dig deep, first we will discuss why this article is significant to read. Given large scale unemployment, rampant poverty, and economic crisis, a huge bulk of Pakistani youngsters are struggling with a […]

very helpful and well said by author i am agreed with them

informative and comprehensive explanation

can you please give the refrences for all these headings up there ?

you declared TLP protest as a social evil-extremism that is nothing but merely to protect the Law of Khatm e Nabuwat…Truth is that wrong is so common to people like you so right thing will obviously appear as an extremism in your senses.

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United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Publications

The Current Situation in Pakistan

A USIP Fact Sheet

Monday, January 23, 2023

Publication Type: Fact Sheet

Pakistan continues to face multiple sources of internal and external conflict. Extremism and intolerance of diversity and dissent have grown, fuelled by a narrow vision of Pakistan’s national identity, and are threatening the country’s prospects for social cohesion and stability.   

The inability of state institutions to reliably provide peaceful ways to resolve grievances has encouraged groups to seek violence as an alternative. The country saw peaceful political transitions after the 2013 and 2018 elections. However, as the country prepares for anticipated elections in 2023, it continues to face a fragile economy along with deepening domestic polarization. Meanwhile, devastating flooding across Pakistan in 2022 has caused billions in damage, strained the country’s agriculture and health sectors, and also laid bare Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate disasters and troubling weaknesses in governance and economic stability.

Regionally, Pakistan faces a resurgence of extremist groups along its border with Afghanistan, which has raised tensions with Taliban-led Afghanistan. Despite a declared ceasefire on the Line of Control in Kashmir in 2021, relations with India remain stagnant and vulnerable to crises that pose a threat to regional and international security. The presence and influence of China, as a great power and close ally of Pakistan, has both the potential to ameliorate and exacerbate various internal and external conflicts in the region.

USIP’S Work

The U.S. Institute of Peace has conducted research and analysis and promoted dialogue in Pakistan since the 1990s, with a presence in the country since 2013. The Institute works to help reverse Pakistan’s growing intolerance of diversity and to increase social cohesion. USIP supports local organizations that develop innovative ways to build peace and promote narratives of inclusion using media, arts, technology, dialogues and education.

USIP works with state institutions in their efforts to be more responsive to citizens’ needs, which can reduce the use of violence to resolve grievances. The Institute supports work to improve police-community relations, promote greater access to justice and strengthen inclusive democratic institutions and governance. USIP also conducts and supports research in Pakistan to better understand drivers of peace and conflict and informs international policies and programs that promote peace and tolerance within Pakistan, between Pakistan and its neighbors, and between Pakistan and the United States.

USIP’s Work in Pakistan Includes:

Improving police-community relations for effective law enforcement

The Pakistani police have struggled with a poor relationship with the public, characterized by mistrust and mistreatment, which has hindered effective policing. USIP has partnered with national and provincial police departments to aid in building police-community relationships and strengthening policing in Pakistan through training, capacity building and social media engagement.

Building sustainable mechanisms for dialogue, critical thinking and peace education.

Nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30. Youth with access to higher education carry disproportionate influence in society. However, Pakistan’s siloed education system does not allow interactions across diverse groups or campuses, leading to intolerance, and in some cases, radicalization. To tackle growing intolerance of diversity on university campuses, USIP has partnered with civil society and state institutions to support programs that establish sustainable mechanisms for dialogue, critical thinking and peace education.

Helping Pakistanis rebuild traditions of tolerance to counter extremists’ demands for violence

USIP supports local cultural leaders, civil society organizations, artists and others in reviving local traditions and discourses that encourage acceptance of diversity, promote dialogue and address social change. USIP also supports media production — including theater, documentaries and collections of short stories — which offer counter narratives to extremism and religious fundamentalism.

Support for acceptance and inclusion of religious minorities

Relations between religious communities in Pakistan have deteriorated, with some instances of intercommunal violence or other forms of exclusion. USIP supports the efforts of local peacebuilders, including religious scholars and leaders, to promote interfaith harmony, peaceful coexistence and equitable inclusion of minorities (gender, ethnic and religious) in all spheres of public life.

Supporting inclusive and democratic institutions

To help democratic institutions be more responsive to citizens, USIP supports technical assistance to state institutions and efforts to empower local governments, along with helping relevant civil society actors advocate for greater inclusion of marginalized groups. Gender has been a major theme of this effort and across USIP’s programming in Pakistan. These programs empower women in peacebuilding and democratic processes through research, advocacy and capacity building.

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Last week, foreign ministers from member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) gathered in Astana, Kazakhstan. The nine-member SCO — made up of China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — represents one of the largest regional organizations in the world. And with the SCO’s annual heads-of-state summit slated for early July, the ministers’ meeting offers an important glimpse into the group’s priorities going forward. USIP’s Bates Gill and Carla Freeman examine how regional security made its way to the top of the agenda, China’s evolving role in Central Asia and why SCO expansion has led to frustrations among member states.

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18 Major Social Problems of Pakistan and Their Solutions

Nobody we know wishes to become a substance abuser or a poor person. Most of us want to be cool, lucky, rich, and successful. Some of us are, luckily, but many of us are not. A part of our success and failure is associated with what we are given biologically in terms of intelligence and good health . The other part of it is related to the social problems of Pakistan.

From the moment Pakistan came into being, we have faced many issues in the shape of poverty, unemployment, crime, low status of women, child marriage, rape, and gender inequality. These are the social problems of Pakistan that, if solved, can make life more comfortable and society more productive in some manner.

A social problem is an issue that prevents society from functioning at an optimal level. Understanding that not all events in society can be considered social problems is essential. A problem is considered a social problem when:

• The public recognizes the situation as a problem.
• The situation is against all those values which are accepted by society.
• A large number of the population recognizes the issue as a valid concern.
• The problem can be alleviated through joint action of community resources or citizens.

Table of Content

Health Sector

Health care availability is one of the major social problems of Pakistan. According to the World Health Organization , Pakistan is ranked 122 out of 190 countries regarding healthcare. And if we look at infant mortality, Pakistan stands third-highest ranked country in the world.

Even after decades of Pakistan’s existence, there is no equal distribution of resources and wealth. Many of us still suffer from emotional and physical issues, but no proper healthcare system exists. The stigma surrounding mental illness persists. There are still many children suffering from malnutrition because of widespread poverty. Many patients with an emergency condition only visit a physician when they get a violent and nervous breakdown.

Due to a large number of infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases in Pakistan, it is clear that the healthcare system of Pakistan is still struggling. Thousands of new instances of COVID-19 arrive every day, putting Pakistan’s healthcare system under tremendous strain.

Illiteracy 

According to a survey, Pakistan has a 60 percent literacy rate which means that 40% of the population is illiterate. People in rural regions are uneducated because they are focused on earning a living rather than attending school. Therefore, advancement in our country is relatively slow. Because of illiteracy, crime rates are high in our culture.

Crime As A Social Problem

There is a very deep connection between crime and illiteracy. In countries with fewer literacy rates, the crime rate is at a peak, and in the countries with good literacy rates, the crime rate is lower. Education makes a person civilized, and also aware of their right or wrong. But due to illiteracy, unemployment increased, which forced the people to get money from unfair means. The increasing crime rate is one of those social problems of Pakistan which are associated with unemployment, inflation, and poverty that are directly or indirectly linked to illiteracy.

Poor Law Enforcement

In Pakistan, the situation of law enforcement agencies is miserable. Like if we talk about the police, they lack professionalism. They don’t have proper training on managing a case or even how to investigate it properly. In the police department, the bribe is common. Most of the issues are pending even not reported by our police department. There are several events in which our law and enforcement agencies are failed to control the situation or protests.

Social Problems Of Women In Pakistan

Some of the leading causes of social problems of women in Pakistan are:

Gender Discrimination

Gender inequality in Pakistan, and its influence on malnutrition, begins at the time of childbirth. Despite significant shifts in beliefs, a girl’s birth is still not celebrated today. There is a difference in attention paid to women and men. Several taboos prevent females from routinely eating nutrient-dense foods like meat and eggs when it comes to girls’ diets. This is associated with the girls reaching puberty early, and many parents believe that it would be harder to protect their daughters from sexual harassment and males after puberty.

The main social problem of Pakistan is that girls are typically seen as somebody’s possession, whereas males are seen as an asset to their parents’ well-being as they mature. As a result, boys are well-fed, well-educated, and given high priority. A woman is usually the last one to eat in most homes, and she may not even get enough food to fill her stomach in some cases, especially in poorer households.

It is undisputed that men enjoy unfair advantages over women in certain circumstances. Many private and government institutions have unofficial policies regarding hiring women since it is widely believed that they will either get married and quit or take maternity leave days. As a result of this discrimination, women are deprived of many opportunities that place them at the bottom.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is one of the current social problems in Pakistan. A working woman is often considered to be “public property” and exploited. In Pakistan, unhealthful and unsafe environments are widespread, encouraging men to view fragile women as an easy target.

Read the diary of a rape survivor here.

Finding a work-life balance.

Being from Pakistan and having a desi background means that the first thing your family expects of you is that you take care of household chores and the responsibilities your elders have entrusted to you. If you want to be an independent working woman, you will find yourself living a double life of a cook at home and a professional worker in the office.

Education And Marriage

So many parents ask why their daughter wants a higher degree when she is at the perfect age for marriage. Marriage is the only and ultimate destination for any Pakistani lady. Be it death threats from her brother or physical abuse from her parents, the majority of Pakistani girls are likely to be compelled to give up their dreams of getting an education overseas or in their nation in favor of marrying older men.

Husband’s Insecurities

It’s likely that if you’ve been lucky enough to continue work after you get married, you’ll have to deal with your husband’s ego and obscure anxieties regularly. As a general rule, men in Pakistan think that they should be the sole breadwinners in their families. When you deal with male coworkers, they may perceive your successes as a threat.

Log Kya Kahain Gai?

Compared to any other reason or claim, this one has damaged the lives of most women more than any other. Whether you work or stay at home, there is always the fear of ‘log kya kahain gai’ and how people see you via their judgments. Assuming you neglect your home, family, and children, they will probably give you dirty or insulting labels for working or doing anything for yourself.

Rape And Honor Killing

Rape and honor killing is one of those social issues in Pakistan that many people choose to ignore. Rape culture is wrong, yet in Pakistan, it is justified. It is explained with an excuse that Islam encourages modesty and assigns males the responsibility of safeguarding weaker women. In addition, the most harmful of all excuses, established norms, is used to justify it. And the tribal jirgas, which are the backbone of Pakistan’s rural power structure, function as the opposite of state law, making unsympathetic judgments about women and favoring these terrible acts.

Social Problems In Family

In Pakistani families, some of the common social problem examples are:

Child Marriage As A Social Problem

Child marriage is one of the social problems in Pakistan. As soon as a woman marries, she becomes an adult and is held to a higher standard of maturity and responsibility. It seems unfair to make her accountable for someone else’s care while she is at the most vulnerable stage of her life. Sexual activity puts a burden on these young brides since they are unprepared physically and emotionally. Early marriage can have a negative impact on the personal and social development of a girl. Besides this, it affects a child’s mental and emotional health as well.

On the other hand, male children who are married at a young age are also under financial stress, interfering with their education and training. While both boys and girls are married off at a young age, the number of girls who fall prey to this practice is significantly higher.  According to research, twenty-one percent of Pakistani females marry before the age of 18, while 3 percent marry before 15. The number of child brides in Pakistan is the sixth highest in the world.

Traditional Dowry

None of the parents want to give their daughter anything, but when the bride’s parents start expecting dowry at the time of marriage, this “something” takes on a whole new dimension. You may be asked to provide expensive jewelry, a large sum of money, or even an expensive automobile. It doesn’t matter to the wealthy, but those who can’t afford it have to deal with many issues. As a result of poverty, some females remain unmarried, while others go to extreme means such as suicide out of frustration. There are more dowry deaths in Pakistan than anywhere else in the world.

Caste System

There are an estimated 260 million individuals in the globe who are affected by caste prejudice, with the great majority of them living in South Asia. These rights are being violated in large numbers daily. People are divided into unequal and hierarchical social groupings based on caste which is one of the prevalent social problems of Pakistan.

Social Problems Of Youth In Pakistan

Pakistan’s youth is also a victim of many problems. Social problems of teens in Pakistan include:

Unemployment

Unemployment is one of the current social problems of Pakistan, especially for the youth. When they have finished their schooling, they cannot find a position where they may put their abilities to serve their nation. The inability of the government to properly employ youth is the cause of this. Deteriorating economic conditions also cause reduced investment and fewer job possibilities. In addition to being a multi-faceted and complex issue, unemployment may lead to many other types of social problems, such as young engagement in radical politics, bank and home burglaries, social insecurity, and drug usage.

Child Labor

Pakistan has a long history of being known as one of the worst ones for child labor which is considered a violation of human rights by the United Nations. A poor child is regarded as an earning hand of the families in Pakistan which deprive the child of primary education. Since the future and success of every country rely on a well-educated and well-informed young, child labor is a significant social issue in Pakistan.

Drug Addiction

Some young people who find themselves in a bad position have no other option than to turn to drugs for relief. The usage of drugs by our kids is on the rise. They believe that is the cheapest way to alleviate their suffering. Nevertheless, they are unaware that this practice is wasting their valuable skills and bringing them to the edge of death.

Depression and Suicide

Our young, the saddest of all, are committing suicide as a result of their disappointment. They waste their lives because they don’t realize what their worth is. Major causes of this social problem include drug use, poverty, unemployment, and failure in life.

Learn how to control social anxiety here.

Ways to prevent social problems.

The social problems of Pakistan can be solved by:

• Eradicating poverty through education, skill development, and job opportunities in society.
• Maintaining law and order situation in the country.
• Various awareness programs such as street drama, procession, and advertisements of tobacco and alcohol on media should be banned to solve the social problems.

Social problems are as old as human history. If you too are victimized, do not wait for more. Consult a Psychologist as soon as possible. Depending upon your condition, your therapist might refer you to a Psychiatrist, take your mental health seriously and get yourself treated at the earliest via Marham.pk.

1- Why is teenage pregnancy a social problem?

Teenage pregnancy is among the social problems of Pakistan because besides posing a health risk to the mother and baby, it continues the poverty cycle, including early school dropout by pregnant teenagers.

2- How can a school help abolish social problems?

As today’s students are tomorrow’s society, teaching starts from school makes a moral society.

3 – Is mental health a social problem?

Well, mental health itself is not a major social problem. It results from many of the social issues that individuals have to face.

4- Why is it important to study social problems?

To change society for the better, it is essential to study social problems.

Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top Psychiatrist in Pakistan through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.

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A Biotechnologist graduated from Lahore College for Women University. A passionate and dedicated writer who believes that words can bring in revolution.

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What is happening in Pakistan’s continuing crisis?

Subscribe to the center for middle east policy newsletter, madiha afzal madiha afzal fellow - foreign policy , center for middle east policy , strobe talbott center for security, strategy, and technology @madihaafzal.

May 20, 2022

Even by the standards of Pakistan’s perpetually unstable politics, the last ten weeks in the country have been exceptionally turbulent. Pakistan has a new government as of April 11 after Imran Khan was forced out via a vote of no confidence. The weeks leading up to the vote, from the filing of the motion on March 8 to the vote on April 10, were dramatic and full of intrigue. Now, the country is in economic and political crisis. Shahbaz Sharif’s new government has been in a state of decision paralysis and is struggling to find its footing, while the ousted prime minister is leading rallies across the country attacking the government’s legitimacy and calling for fresh elections. At the same time, Pakistan is also in the grip of an acute climate emergency. It’s not only political temperatures that are spiking: an unprecedented heat wave has enveloped Pakistan for weeks.

The fall of Khan’s government

Crucial to the current crisis is understanding how Khan’s government fell. While Khan was Pakistan’s first prime minister to be ousted via a  no-confidence vote, he joined each of his predecessors as prime minister in not lasting five years — the length of parliament’s electoral term — in office. Pakistan’s major opposition parties had been clamoring for Khan’s exit since he came into office — calling him “selected” by the military as opposed to “elected” — and had formed an alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), in the fall of 2020 for that purpose. This spring, the opposition gained traction. On the surface, the opposition blamed governance and economic failures under Khan. But the underlying reason their maneuvers were successful was that Khan had lost the support of Pakistan’s military, which helped him rise to power.

Several factors were responsible for the fracture between Khan and the military, who previously had functioned on a much-touted “same page.” The biggest was an impasse over the transfer of the director general of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) in October 2021. Khan refused to sign off on the director general’s transfer, already approved by the military, for weeks. The then-ISI chief was a Khan loyalist, and speculation was that Khan wanted him to be around for the next election (or perhaps even to appoint him the next army chief).

Once Khan lost the military’s support — though the military said it had become neutral — space was allowed to the opposition to make their moves. Two small parties allied with Khan in the ruling coalition switched to the opposition, enough to deprive him of his razor-thin majority in the National Assembly.

Khan hatched a conspiracy theory to blame for his government’s collapse — alleging , without evidence, U.S. “regime change” for following an “independent foreign policy,” and claiming “local abettors” were responsible — claims that Pakistan’s National Security Committee has rebuffed . But Khan and his allies have also alluded to the military being responsible for his exit — sometimes in veiled language and sometimes pointing fingers more directly at the “neutrals,” as they now refer to the military. In so doing, they are testing the limits of political confrontation with the military, receding only when it pushes back on their claims.

An intense polarization

Khan has used his ejection to galvanize his supporters. Day after day, in huge rallies across the country, he calls the new government an “imported government” and the new prime minister a “crime minister.” Khan has used his rallies and interviews to command media attention, and argues that his government’s fall returned to power the corrupt politicians that are responsible for Pakistan’s problems. His supporters, many of them middle class, young, and urban, and furious at what they see as Khan’s unceremonious, orchestrated ousting, repeat his words on social media. With this narrative of grievance, Khan aims to undermine the new government’s legitimacy; his party resigned from parliament and he is calling for fresh elections. He now plans to lead a “freedom march” to Islamabad, likely later this month , to further pressure the government for elections.

By contrast, supporters of the parties that constitute the government see Khan’s exit as having occurred democratically and see his politics as dangerous. Pakistan today has echoes of the post-January 6 moment in the United States, a polarization so deep that each faction sees no validity in the other’s arguments. Khan’s supporters in particular distrust anything the new government or the military says. In recent weeks, politicians from each side have also resorted to using religion to attack the other side, dangerous in a country where the weaponization of religion can spell a death sentence.

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The new government

The new government, led by the PML-N’s Shahbaz Sharif, faces formidable challenges — and not just from Khan. Shahbaz’s brother, three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was deposed in 2017 on corruption charges and now lives in London, still exercises outsized control over the party, and indeed the government. Shahbaz, a three-time former chief minister of Pakistan’s largest province of Punjab, has throughout his political career played second fiddle to the more charismatic Nawaz. Last week, the prime minister and key members of his cabinet made a sudden trip to London to consult with Nawaz on the direction of the new government. While they were overseas, Pakistan’s economy continued its downward spiral. The rupee continued its precipitous slide relative to the dollar; the stock market also lost value.

The government faces a key decision on whether to continue costly, unsustainable fuel subsidies that Khan’s government installed, and that the International Monetary Fund wants removed as a precondition for renewing Pakistan’s loan program. Removing subsidies would certainly be unpopular, which worries a government with limited time in office before the next election. So far the government has stalled, announcing earlier this week, against its own finance minister’s advice, that it would maintain subsidies (for now).

Shahbaz’s overall hesitancy likely reflects deference to Nawaz and his team, who may have different views, and the fact that he commands an unwieldy coalition of rival parties, who will be competing against each other in the next election. But part of the indecision has to do with the fact that the main goal of the PDM was to oust Khan; they did not actually devise an alternate governance plan or economic strategy before coming into power. That lack of a plan is now showing in the face of Pakistan’s economic crisis.

The next election

A major question contributing to the political uncertainty in Pakistan is the timing of the next election, which must be held by the summer of 2023. Khan has made clear that he wants to ride his present momentum to immediate elections. In the days preceding his downfall, he aimed to deprive the then-opposition of a runway in government by extra-constitutionally dissolving parliament, a decision Pakistan’s Supreme Court (correctly) reversed. The new government, for its part, can use its time in power to turn things in its favor, including resolving outstanding corruption cases.

There is the question of whether Nawaz can or will return to Pakistan before the next election. If he does, that could boost the PML-N’s base, but if he does not face prosecution on his return, that will bolster Khan’s argument that the Sharifs have politically manipulated the corruption cases against them. The PML-N also faces considerable hurdles, including an economic crisis that is partially shaped by exogenous factors, a tussle over power in Punjab, and a president who belongs to and is loyal to Khan’s party. The coalition government this week has said it will not go to early elections; former president Asif Ali Zardari has insisted that elections not be held before parliament can undertake electoral reform.

Whenever the next election is held, it’s far from clear what the outcome will be. What matters in Pakistan’s parliamentary system is which party can get the most “electables” — powerful politicians in local constituencies — on their side. Large urban rallies may attest to Khan’s personal popularity, but will not necessarily define how his party does in parliamentary elections. The other factor, one that has historically determined which party electable politicians align themselves with, is where the powerful military’s support is leaning.

The bottom line

That brings us to the bottom line. The fundamentals of the system in Pakistan, beneath the intense ongoing political tug of war, remain the same. What matters for political success is whether you have the support of Pakistan’s military. Political parties now directly point to the military’s interference in politics, but only when they are in opposition; when they are in government and enjoy that support, they do little to challenge it. This was true of Khan’s party when it was in power, and it is true of Sharif’s government now.

In the end, what Pakistan’s soaring political tension amounts to is an opportunistic struggle for power. It has left the country a political tinderbox. And in all of it, little regard is displayed on either side for the ongoing suffering of ordinary Pakistanis, who continue to pay the price for the country’s long history of political instability.

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Social Problems Of Pakistan And Their Solutions

Social Problems of Pakistan and their solutions are discussed here in the essay form. Pakistan is a developing state which is going through various problems and issues. These issues are from various origins having long lasting impact on the stability of the economy and the goodwill of country. Th social issues in Pakistan are being divided in to several heads among which one of the very important head is the Social problems of Pakistan. Education which is considered as the cheapest way of defense is not being promoted in our country which has made the literacy rate of our country decline to a major extent. The people will not have the education so they will not be able to put any impact on the country.

The literacy rate of Pakistan is 49.9% which makes them fall on the rating of 136th in the world that shows that the world’s 6th largest populated country is being kept away form education. According to a survey the primary education completing rate in Pakistan is 33.8% in females and 47.18% in males. The solution to social issues in Pakistan is that the education at least till the secondary part should be made compulsory and free for the students so that they can get full advantage form this blessing.

• Biotechnology Scope In Pakistan April 6, 2023

Social Problems of Pakistan and their Solutions

The gender discrimination is another very much important factor in the decline of Pakistan as males are being given priority over females in a country where females are more in number. This is a big shame as in FATA the conditions are even worse where the literacy rate of males is 29.1% and in females it is less than 3%. That is where we are going wrong. Equal opportunity should be given to both male and females although the rules and regulation of Islam should not be over ruled but weight-age should be given to both the genders.

Terrorism is another social issue which has got in to the roots of the country and is damaging it. The main cause for the terrorism is political instability, economic conditions, standard or living and the most important one is the religious extremism. For this purpose the religious scholars should poke their head up and should come forward and should demonstrate the real Islam and its ideology so that such extremist acts should be avoided and human lives and property could be saved.

Other social issues in Pakistan which include child labor, sexual harassment, inflations, injustice, smuggling and drug abuse are also getting more and more common in the country which is causing harm to the youth of the country as well as to the law and order situation of the state. So to get rid of this problem the government had to take strong and strict actions in preventing such activities to prevail in the premises of the country and not only federal government but the provincial government should also play its vital role in eliminating all such social problems from the country, otherwise they will keep eating Pakistan like pesticides.

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Pakistan’s Healthcare System: A Review of Major Challenges and the First Comprehensive Universal Health Coverage Initiative

Salman j khan.

1 Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, USA

2 Public Health, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

Muhammad Asif

3 Internal Medicine, Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, Sioux Falls, USA

Sadia Aslam

Wahab j khan.

4 Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, USA

Syed A Hamza

5 Cardiology, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, PAK

Each country's healthcare system has a different structure and functioning designed to meet the needs of its people utilizing the available resources. Due to ever-growing population needs and constantly emerging public health problems, it is vital for any healthcare system to be ready to adapt, recognize its limitations, and improve its flaws by learning from other healthcare models across the globe. In this article, we analyzed the significant challenges faced by Pakistan's healthcare system (PHS) and the first comprehensive initiative taken for universal health coverage in Pakistan. Inequitable distribution of resources, inadequate healthcare spending, non-adherence to preventative healthcare and brain drain are the major problems in the PHS. On the other hand, the recently introduced universal health coverage initiative, the Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP), can be considered one of the biggest achievements of the country’s healthcare system.

Introduction

No healthcare system can be labeled as perfect because of the growing needs of people, constantly emerging new public health challenges, and the diversity of population demographics around the globe. Every system needs continuous pruning to fulfill the needs of its people through analysis of its shortcomings and strengths. Pakistan's healthcare system (PHS) is not an exception to this principle. PHS comprises private and public sectors, catering to a huge population of more than 220 million [ 1 ]. There are many challenges faced by PHS including inadequate funding, infrastructural limitations, brain drain of health professionals, limited focus on preventive healthcare (PHC), and inequitable resource allocation. Among these issues, Pakistan's first comprehensive universal health coverage (UHC) initiative, Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP), can be considered the most outstanding achievement of the PHS.

PHS faces many challenges that hinder its ability to provide adequate and efficient healthcare services to its citizens. One of the significant challenges is insufficient funding. Pakistan spends around 38 US Dollars (USD) per capita on healthcare, which is much lower than other developing countries [ 2 ]. As compared to Pakistan, India, the Philippines, and Ghana spend 57, 165, and 85 USD per capita on healthcare, respectively [ 2 ]. Pakistan spent 1.2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on the public health sector in 2020-2021 as compared to 1.1 in 2019-2020, which is not a significant increase when viewed in terms of GDP percentage [ 3 ]. The lack of sufficient investment in the PHS has led to another challenge which is a shortage of health infrastructure, medicines, medical equipment, and qualified healthcare professionals. Although there is an increase in human resources from 2014 to 2021, this growth is not enough to cater to the needs of the population growing at 2% per annum (Table ​ (Table1) 1 ) [ 3 ]. Around 32,879 physicians graduate every year in Pakistan and 40% of them go abroad for better opportunities citing low income, long hours of job, and inequality as the main reasons [ 4 ]. According to a study conducted at two different medical colleges, 33% of medical students plan to leave the country to practice healthcare abroad. This brain drain puts undue pressure on the PHS resulting in inadequate provision of health facilities to people.

Open access source: Pakistan Economic Survey 2021-22 [ 3 ]

Limited focus on PHC is another significant issue PHS faces. PHC includes measures to prevent diseases and promote health, such as immunizations, screenings, and health education. Pakistan's government has taken several steps over the years to promote PHC which include the Lady Health Workers (LHW) programme, the expanded programme on immunization (EPI), the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) Programme, the Malaria Control Programme (MCP), Tuberculosis (TB), Control Programme, and establishment of basic health units (BHUs) and rural health units and rural health units (RHUs). In 2021, there were 1,276 hospitals, 5,558 BHUs, 736 RHCs, 5,802 Dispensaries, 780 Maternity and Child Health Centers, and 416 TB centers in Pakistan [ 3 ]. However, all these initiatives have not been able to drastically improve the health indicators of Pakistan, which are much worse than its peers (Table ​ (Table2). 2 ). These initiatives are not enough for a population of more than 220 million [ 1 ]. There is still a scarcity of resources in the PHC realm and the people do not have access to these services because of less developed PHC centers or even the absence of these centers nearby. Even with access to these facilities, the population does not get involved in preventive health because of a lack of awareness and education regarding its importance to their own health. Many people in Pakistan lack basic health literacy, which means they do not have the knowledge and skills to access and use healthcare services effectively.

Open access source: Economic Survey of Pakistan [ 3 ]

The inequitable distribution of healthcare resources is a serious threat to the PHS. The healthcare resources, including hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals, are concentrated in the urban areas, leaving rural areas with inadequate healthcare facilities. It leads to a significant disparity in healthcare access and outcomes between urban and rural populations [ 5 ]. The Community Health Index (CHI) reflects the unequal distribution of healthcare resources. CHI measures the disparities between different regions based on health and well-being. Pakistan scored an inequality ratio of 16.59 CHI, which means that the upper-tier districts are 16.59 times healthier than the lower-tier districts. The disparity ratio differs by approximately 10 points between the urban and rural areas (7.78 and 17.54, respectively) showing a huge disparity in resources. This data reveals the inequitable distribution of resources in the healthcare domain in Pakistan [ 5 ]. Consequently, the rural healthcare system lacks basic medical equipment, diagnostic facilities, and medications, leading to a lack of proper patient diagnosis and treatment. All these shortages increase the burden on the infrastructure in cities and, in turn, lead to inadequate provision of health facilities, physician shortages, and dissatisfaction among patients.

Sehat Sahulat Program: UHC Initiative

UHC is a concept coined by the WHO that aims to ensure essential health services to everyone without any financial hardship. UHC is a part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015. Pakistan is a signatory of the SDGs. The goal of UHC is expressed in the UN 2030 agenda as part of the SDGs in Goal 3, which focuses on health (target 3.8). UHC is the primary step toward providing health as a fundamental right of citizens [ 2 ]. The biggest achievement of the PHS is the UHC initiative in the form of the SSP.

SSP is a public sector-funded health insurance initiative of the federal and provincial governments working to provide financial health protection to all citizens against extraordinary healthcare expenditure. SSP is a landmark healthcare initiative that is considered an important step toward UHC. SSP was implemented first by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provincial government in 2015 to provide free health insurance coverage to the poor and vulnerable populations only. Then, the federal government of Pakistan in cooperation with the provincial governments rolled out the SSP in other provinces in 2019. The program is funded by the government of Pakistan and is managed by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination. The program has two main components: (i) free health insurance coverage for eligible households and (ii) a network of participating hospitals and clinics where eligible households can access healthcare services. The SSP initially provided social insurance only to families living below the poverty line but is now gradually moving toward every citizen. As of 2022, the SSP has been implemented in 36 districts of Punjab, 35 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 10 districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), 10 districts of Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Hardaker district of Sindh, reaching approximately 44.6 million households. The Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) is responsible for contributing premiums from ICT, AJK, GB, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and Thar Parker districts. However, Punjab and KP fund 100% premium contributions from various sources [ 3 ].

Under the SSP, households receive health insurance cards, which can be used to access healthcare services up to one million rupees per year at participating hospitals and clinics. The program covers a wide range of inpatient services, including cardiac procedures, cancer management, burn management, dialysis, complications of diabetes mellitus, trauma management, neurosurgical procedures, abdominal surgeries, fracture management, and other medical and surgical interventions [ 3 ]. The program has a tiered benefit structure with higher benefits for households with more vulnerable members, such as women, children, and older people. The SSP has a vast network of more than 1030 paneled hospitals across Pakistan. Beneficiaries from any district can get treatment from any of these paneled hospitals. The program has also positively impacted the financial protection of marginalized communities. Transgender people and persons with disabilities registered with the National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA) were also enrolled in this program. They have given access to UHC, a giant leap in the inclusion of the ignored community [ 3 ]. In Pakistan, out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures on health are more than 60% of the total health expenditure [ 3 ]. The SSP has shared this cost at every level of healthcare. Moreover, it serves 154 million people in Pakistan, which is the first-ever health insurance initiative in the history of Pakistan [ 3 ]. Till March 8, 2022, over 3.2 million hospital visits have been recorded under the SSP's health cards [ 1 ]. The shared health expenditure has also facilitated people's access to medical services which they used to avoid in the past due to high healthcare costs, thus promoting health and wellness.

There are a few limitations to this program. Many families have complained about the incompatibility between the cost of treatment in private-sector hospitals and the limits set by the program. Patients are expected to pay the difference. In some instances, patients were turned away without any medical services due to the inability to pay [ 1 ]. Another issue is the interrupted continuity of the SSP due to recent political and economic instability in Pakistan. It is still functional in some parts of the country while being suspended in others.

As Pakistan is a developing country, its healthcare system must make many improvements to meet the needs of its population. The challenges faced by Pakistan's healthcare system include insufficient funding, inadequate healthcare workforce and infrastructure, less focus on preventive health, and inequitable distribution of resources. These challenges need comprehensive policy formulation focused on increases in healthcare funding and allocation of equity-based resources. The most significant achievement of PHS is the initiative toward UHC through the SSP. This initiative has decreased the burden of healthcare expenses and increased access to healthcare services for people, including marginalized communities.

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Challenges Facing Pakistan in 2023

• February 3, 2023 |

Mary Hunter ,

• Image Credit: Unsplash

A challenging year lies ahead for Pakistan as it negotiates the aftermath of the unprecedented floods, economic turmoil, the desire among the youth to leave and the ongoing struggle against terrorism. The reader should not conclude that because this article only tackles challenges, the author has not noted recent positives and opportunities for Pakistan. To the contrary, 2022 saw Pakistan lead the international community in matters of climate justice, helping to secure the historic loss and damage deal. Depending on how much progress is made by COP28 this year, this could mark a fundamental shift in climate negotiations that works to support further countries vulnerable to climate change, like Pakistan itself.

Pakistan is also stepping out of a global year for popular culture and the arts, which will motivate the creation of further artistic outlets and help to bridge Pakistans film and music industries with others around the world. Academic events like ThinkFest held in Lahore and the Pakistan Conference hosted by Harvard University last year, marking 75 years of independence, testified to a burgeoning intellectual culture, an interest among the youth in tackling contemporary challenges and a strong international interest in Pakistan Studies. Pakistan will have to balance these positives and opportunities with very challenging circumstances, not all of the origins of which were avoidable.

Pakistan will have to balance these positives and opportunities with very challenging circumstances, not all of the origins of which were avoidable.

The Aftermath of the Floods

It has been well-documented that the floods in Pakistan last year, caused by increased monsoon rainfall, have affected over 33 million people. The ongoing consequences of much of Pakistan going underwater have made dire conditions a daily reality for many, especially children. UNICEF, whose health interventions have reached nearly 1.5 million people to date, has warned that up to 4 million children are still living near contaminated and stagnant flood waters: Frail and hungry children are fighting a losing battle against severe acute malnutrition, diarrhoea, malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, acute respiratory infections, and painful skin conditions. (sic)

Besides health concerns, UNICEF has found that 2 million additional children have been locked out of learning, on top of the estimated 22.8 million children aged 5-16 not in school after the destruction of nearly 27,000 schools. Thus, the floods have exacerbated poor health and educational outcomes for the next generation of Pakistanis, who will also have to contend with more serious and frequent extreme weather events unless the world gets serious about reducing global temperatures. Given Pakistans acute vulnerability to climate change, it will have to increasingly treat the phenomenon as a non-traditional threat and prepare accordingly in its national security estimations.

Economic Turmoil

While the human impact of floods must be the most central concern for Pakistan and the international community, the economic impact is unprecedented. The World Bank has estimated that total damages exceed 14.9 billion USD and total economic losses amount to around 15.2 billion USD, while rehabilitation and reconstruction will cost close to 16.3 billion USD. The organisation also projected that Pakistan lost around 2.2 per cent of Fiscal Year 2022 GDP as a direct result of the floods.

To make matters worse, there are concerns that Pakistan may default on its loans to the IMF. Miftah Ismail, the former finance minister, has warned that Pakistans expenses are much higher than its income and that the country could default if it fails to approach the IMF. The IMF defines defaulting in simple terms as a broken promise, or a breach of contract, such as through missed payments or data misreporting. The consequences of Pakistan defaulting on its loans include an inability to import fuels to generate electricity, resulting in blackouts, as well as increased unemployment. Pakistanis already have to cope with inflated food prices and competition for subsidised products.

The Desire Among the Youth to Leave

Pakistanis rightly emphasise how the countrys youthful population is a great source of potential, but the young are among the most likely to express a desire to leave Pakistan. This desire, as reflected in a survey published in November 2022 by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, has translated into reality for a considerable number. Official documens allegedly show that 765,000 people left Pakistan in 2022, nearly triple the number in 2021. Given that 92,000 of these people were classed as highly educated, this flurry of departures has been presented as a continuation of the countrys brain drain. The government of Pakistan thus faces the challenge of incentivising its talented youth to remain in Pakistan and encourage those who have left to return. Based on anecdotal evidence, some Pakistanis who have left the country for higher education feel that there are not the same opportunities at home, leaving their only options to be jobs for which they are overqualified.

Ongoing Struggle Against Terrorism

Three police officers sadly lost their lives in the first terror attack in Pakistan of 2023, when heavily armed terrorists attacked a police station in Peshawar on the 14 January. This comes after the conclusion of an indefinite ceasefire between the government of Pakistan and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on the 23 rd of November, that was agreed upon in June. Following an absence of attacks in the capital of Islamabad for eight years, the first suicide bombing occurred at the end of December inside a taxi, leaving the driver, bomber and a police officer dead.

Outside of the capital, the inhabitants of Swat demonstrated in October against increased killings in one of the largest protests the valley has seen to voice not only the rejection of political violence but also to demand protection as a constitutional right. While the progress and sacrifices made by the Pakistani military and police forces in addressing terrorism should be noted, attacks will continue until more successful peace talks are held with the TTP. This is by no means a simple task, given the mutually opposing demands of the TTP and the government of Pakistan, especially in terms of the TTPs rejection of the constitution of Pakistan as un-Islamic.

Dealing with any of these challenges in isolation would be difficult, but their simultaneous existence will require the government of Pakistan to rehabilitate and reconstruct those communities devastated by the floods while also seeking long-term security, economic, and educational solutions that also give hope and opportunities to the youth of Pakistan. The more the youth become central to policy-making, both as stakeholders and as visionaries, the more sustainable and forward-looking Pakistan will become.

Mary Hunter

Mary Hunter is a PhD candidate at the University of St Andrews, researching the Islamisation of Pakistan. She is also a freelance writer on issues relating to Islamophobia, Pakistan and its diaspora in the UK.

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An Economic Crisis in Pakistan Again: What’s Different This Time?

Photo: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images

Critical Questions by Daniel F. Runde and Ambassador Richard Olson

Published October 31, 2018

Pakistan’s newly-elected government is already dealing with a balance of payments crisis, which has been a consistent theme for the nation’s newly elected officials. Pakistan’s structural problems are homegrown, but what is different this time around is an added component of Chinese debt. Pakistan is the largest Belt and Road (BRI) partner adding another creditor to its already complicated economic situation.

Pakistan’s system is ill-equipped to make changes which would avoid future excessive debt. A bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is probably the safest bet for the country although it is unclear whether the United States will support the program. How Pakistan decides to handle its debt crisis could provide insight into how the U.S., IMF, and China will resolve development issues in the future. Beijing is a relatively new player in the development finance world so much is to be learned from how it deals with Pakistan and how it could possibly maneuver in other developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Q1: What is Pakistan’s current financial and economic situation?

A1: Pakistan held its most recent elections in July 2018. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party gained over 100 seats in the parliament, and its founder Imran Khan , a famous cricket team captain, was installed as prime minister. Prime Minister Khan has inherited a balance of payments crisis , the third one in the last 10 years. By the end of June 2018, Pakistan had a current account deficit of $18 billion , nearly a 45 percent increase from an account deficit of $12.4 billion in 2017. Exorbitant imports (including those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)) and less-than-projected inflows (export revenues and remittances) have led to a current account deficit widening, with foreign currency reserves levels covering less than two months of imports—pushing Pakistan towards a difficult economic situation .

Part of Pakistan’s financial crisis stems from the fact that 2018 was a poor year for emerging markets. Global monetary tightening, increased oil prices, and reduced investor confidence have negatively impacted the country’s already precarious economic situation. But the country’s deep structural problems and weak macroeconomic policies have further exposed the economy to an array of debt vulnerabilities.

Pakistan has had an overvalued exchange rate, low interest rates, and subdued inflation over the last few years. This loose monetary policy has led to high domestic demand, with two-thirds of Pakistan’s economic growth stemming from domestic consumption. An overvalued exchange rate has led to a very high level of imports and low level of exports. Pakistan’s high fiscal deficit was accelerated even further in 2017 and 2018 because elections have historically caused spending to rise (both of the most recent fiscal crises followed elections). Perhaps the greatest financial issues facing Pakistan are its pervasive tax evasion and chronically low level of domestic resource mobilization. Taxes in Pakistan comprise less than 10 percent of GDP , a far cry from the 35 percent of countries that are part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Pakistan also suffers from impediments in the energy sector through frequent and widespread power outages that hurt its competitiveness.

In Western media, Chinese investment is often cited as the main driver of Pakistan’s debt crisis. This is somewhat true as China’s BRI makes Pakistan a key partner through the shared CPEC. The CPEC is a $60 billion program of infrastructure, energy and communication projects that aims to improve connectivity in the region. CPEC infrastructure costs have certainly placed a greater debt burden on Pakistan, but the current structural problems are homegrown; the root cause of the energy shortages is now less a matter of power generation, and more of fiscal mismanagement of the power sector .

Q2: What are Pakistan’s options?

A2: Pakistan appears to be in perpetual crisis-mode, and for too long the Pakistani government has been overly reliant on U.S. bilateral assistance. While it may not be the first choice of the Pakistani government, an IMF bailout is the most likely outcome of this financial crisis because it is probably the only path for Pakistan to regain its macroeconomic stability. Any “bailout” from a bilateral donor (meaning China or Pakistan’s Gulf State friends, including Saudi Arabia which has recently provided Pakistan $3 billion for a period of one year as balance-of-payment support) will not get at the root issues that Pakistan faces—its loose macroeconomic, fiscal, and monetary policies. Pakistan needs to get its house in order and remedy many of its domestic economic issues. 18 out of Pakistan’s 21 IMF programs over the last 60 years have not been completed despite obtaining over $30 billion in financial support across those programs. Just like today’s current financial crisis, Pakistan’s last two IMF packages (in 2008 and 2013) were also negotiated by incoming governments.

Q3: Would the U.S. support a new IMF Pakistan program?

A3: The current U.S. administration and Congress would not be supportive of additional bilateral funding to Pakistan—meaning money coming directly from the United States. Since 2001, Pakistan has been the beneficiary of the U.S. Coalition Support Fund (CSF), which reimburses allies for costs incurred by war on terrorism. The CSF is used to reimburse Pakistan for U.S. military use of its network infrastructure (e.g., ports, railways, roads, airspace) so that the United States can prosecute the war in neighboring Afghanistan, as well as certain Pakistani military counter-terrorism operations. The CSF for Pakistan has been as high as $1.2 billion per year, and, in recent years, $900 million per year. With nearly $1 billion in CSF distributed every year, along with $335 million in humanitarian assistance, it will be difficult to convince Congress to appropriate more funds for a Pakistan bailout yet. However, due to inaction on the part of Pakistan to expel or arrest Taliban insurgents operating from Pakistani territory, the United States has recently cut another $300 million from the CSF, bringing the total to $850 million in U.S. assistance withheld from Pakistan this year. In fact, all security assistance to Pakistan, whether it is international military education and training, foreign military financing, or the CSF, has been suspended for this year according to one State Department official.

An IMF program for Pakistan faces resistance from some members of Congress. A group of 16 senators has already signed a letter to President Trump that outlines their opposition to bailing out Pakistan because the IMF package would, in effect, be bailing out Chinese banks.

The Trump administration has also taken a hardline stance towards assisting Pakistan with its financial crisis. Secretary of State Pompeo stated this past July that he would not support an IMF bailout that went towards paying off Chinese loans. In September, Secretary Pompeo visited Pakistan, and there were indications that the United States would not block an IMF program. If an IMF program is enacted, there is no doubt that it would have stronger conditionality and a greater insistence on full transparency of Pakistan’s debt obligations.

Q4: Would an IMF package be a bailout of the Chinese?

A4: The terms of Pakistan’s loans with China are currently unclear and multiple news outlets have reported that Pakistan has refused to share CPEC information with the IMF. However, it is not unreasonable to presume that the terms in those contracts would be more demanding than terms typically asked by the IMF. Unless the terms between Pakistan and China and its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are disclosed and made clear to the IMF, then it is unwise for the IMF to proceed with a bailout package.

The IMF’s focus is not in projecting power and influence; rather it seeks to help struggling nations get back on their feet. The same cannot be said for China. China appears to be most interested in spreading its influence and gaining valuable assets for its military and expanding economy, while at the same time exporting its surplus capacity for infrastructure building. In its annual report to Congress, the Department of Defense reiterated this concern, “countries participating in BRI [such as Pakistan] could develop economic dependence on Chinese capital, which China could leverage to achieve its interests.”

Of Pakistan’s nearly $30 billion trade deficit, 30 percent is directly attributable to China . If China were concerned about the economic crisis in Pakistan, it would make immediate concessions which Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar says China is working on . To help with the crisis, China could readjust its trade surplus with Pakistan in different ways. For example, China could buy Pakistani cement and other purchases in the short term to illustrate that they are aware of and swiftly responding to the economic turmoil in Pakistan. Other nations have struggled with debt obligations to China. For instance, in July 2017, Sri Lanka signed over a 99-year lease for Hambantota Port to a Chinese SOE because of Sri Lanka’s inability to pay for BRI costs. Malaysia took a different path and decided to cancel major infrastructure projects with China in August 2018 due to worries that they would increase its debt burden .

Q5: What are the consequences if there is no IMF package?

A5: It is likely that China will provide even more assistance to broaden Pakistan’s dependency. Chinese banks and SOEs have already invested heavily into Pakistan, so much so that state bank loans have not been fully disclosed to the global community. In fact, Pakistan’s Status Report for July 2017 through June 2018 shows that Chinese commercial banks hold 53 percent of Pakistan’s outstanding commercial debt. However, that percentage may be even higher than the report depicts. While China and Pakistan have agreed to make all CPEC projects readily available to the public, the information is scattered and often left blank on essential financial reports (see July-June 2017 document ), and so it is difficult to obtain a full sense of the degree of Pakistan’s indebtedness to China. Again, much of the loan information provided by the Pakistani government, especially concerning China, is not entirely transparent.

If China chooses to follow through and become the “point person” for an assistance package, the pressure will be taken off the IMF. But, if the United States does not support an IMF package, it will forego major geopolitical potential in the region to its main competitor, China.

Pakistan represents a litmus test of all future cases in which the IMF, United States, China, and any emerging market country are all involved. Depending on how Beijing chooses to navigate Pakistan’s financial crisis, China may soon find itself responsible for rectifying the debt burdens of Zambia and many other BRI countries.

Q6: What are U.S. geopolitical “equities” in Pakistan?

A6:  The United States is invested in Pakistan because of its significant geopolitical importance.

• Pakistan is an important component of the balance of power in South Asia. Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons capabilities. Moreover, China, India, and Pakistan have been in dispute over the Kashmir region since 1947. Regional stability is in the interest of the United States.
• Despite its ambiguous stance on militant groups, Pakistan is ostensibly an ally of the United States because of its proximity to Afghanistan. Since the War on Terror began in 2001, Pakistan has been an active partner in the elimination of core al Qaeda within Pakistan and has facilitated aspects of the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan.
• The United States now seeks a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan. To accomplish this, perhaps the United States will come to Pakistan with a simple offer: “deliver the Taliban, and we will give you the IMF.”
• Whereas previous administrations may have tried to “play nice” with Pakistan, under the Trump administration, there is a chance that the U.S. government will push the IMF to adopt stricter terms for a Pakistan bailout, citing the Pakistani government’s failures of the last two programs.
• Other than strategic military importance, one of the most important national security challenges to the United States is Pakistan’s demographic trends. Currently, over 64 percent of Pakistanis are under the age of 30—the largest percentage of youth in the country’s history. Over the next 30 years, Pakistan’s population will increase by over 100 million, jumping from 190 million to 300 million by 2050 . The spike in youth population presents an opportunity for the U.S. government and private sector to increase investment in Pakistan. Pakistan’s economy must generate 1 million jobs annually for the next three decades and GDP growth rates must equal 7 percent or more per year to keep up with the population boom. Were Pakistan’s economy to collapse, the world would see the first instance of a failed state with a substantial arsenal of nuclear weapons.
• An economically healthy Pakistan could be a large market for U.S. goods and services. If the U.S.-Pakistan relationship is strained as a result of this financial crisis, it will not only harm the United States militarily but will also harm U.S. businesses and Pakistani consumers.

Q7: Should the U.S. support an IMF package to Pakistan?

A7: Given the geostrategic importance of Pakistan for the United States, we should support a package but with stronger conditionality than in 2013 along with full transparency and disclosure of its debt obligations.

Daniel F. Runde is senior vice president, director of the Project on Prosperity and Development, and holds the William A. Schreyer Chair in Global Analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. Richard Olson is a non-resident senior associate at CSIS. He is the former U.S. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan; most recently he served as the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan during the Obama administration. Special thanks to CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development program coordinator Owen Murphy and intern Austin Lucas for their contributions to this analysis.

Critical Questions   is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a private, tax-exempt institution focusing on international public policy issues. Its research is nonpartisan and nonproprietary. CSIS does not take specific policy positions. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s).

© 2018 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. All rights reserved.

Daniel F. Runde

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Major Problems of Pakistan And Their Solutions

Table of Contents

Here we are going to discuss the Major Problems of Pakistan And Their Solutions which have to be sorted out in order to hold a steady position in the country’s rank. If we glance through history we find that the world has developed a lot in every field. When in-country, the size of pollution overcomes the size of available resources, then the country is called overpopulated. Pakistan is victimized by overpopulation which has been stopped its progression in every field. The total population of Pakistan was 3.25 crore in 1947 in former West Pakistan. It rose to 6.551 crores in 1972.  It has now crossed the figure of 15 crores in 2016. Now a day Pakistan has become the most populous country in the world. Well, there are many other problems of Pakistan like corruption, the use of hush money, and the bad sense of rich and poor. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer due to unequaled treatment in the community. So, have a look at some major problems of the country.

There are many major problems in Pakistan some problems are very highlighted and everyone well aware of them. So that is Corruption , unemployment , Populations , Transportation , Water issues , Political Failure , Judicial System, and Mass Media.  These are the major and common problems in Pakistan but we have said that many of the silent major problems exist. Other silent major problems is going to mentioned below.

Effect of Overpopulation

There are the following conditions to define overpopulation obstacle in Pakistan which we discussed below:

• The danger for Economic Development
• Low per capita income
• Low rate of saving
• Problems for the education sector
• Housing problems
• Transportation problems
• Food shortage
• Population & Environment
• Population & capital formation
• Problems for the agricultural sector
• Unemployment
• To provide more recreation
• Electricity Crisis In Pakistan

Overpopulation is a great danger for economic development as it swallows up the progress made by the economic sector. With the increase in population, there is low capital income in the country which badly affects the economy of the country. There per capita income of Pakistan is 479 dollars compared to 27000 dollars in Japan and 14000 dollars in Singapore

Unemployment 

raise in the number of population generate unemployment. Yes of course! it is because whenever there are 10 vacancies are lying vacant, there are 100 applications are submitted on it. In this condition there are 90 candidates are left who don’t have a job. So unemployment also generates some other obstacles like below…

Corruption is one of the biggest problems in the country. Peoples are coercing to use the hush money when they have done a job. In this problem, our authorities are also somehow involved in it. Whenever someone is in crisis and he really needs a job to meet his family’s expenses he will do everything to obtain a job and in this case, the authorities demand black money to grant a job to them.

When a country becomes overpopulated then its rate of saving becomes very low, as a result of which there is low investment & unemployment in the country.  The rate of saving in Pakistan is only 15% which is very low overpopulation creates a great problem in the education sector because proper facilities are not available for the whole of the population.  Overpopulation also creates a housing problem because given. Resources are not sufficient to proved houses to the whole of the population.

Results on the Economy of Pakistan

Overpopulation also creates a problem of transportation because Govt. resources are not sufficient to provide better transport facilities to the whole of the population whine a country becomes overpopulated, there is a food shortage in the country because its resources are not sufficient to meet the needs of the people. Overpopulation creates air, water & noise pollution in the environment & in this way, badly affects the environment & in this way, badly affects the environment. When a country becomes overpopulated, then its rate of saving becomes very low as a result of which rate of investment also falls which in return, reduces the capital formation in the country. Our farmers are very poor & increased in population badly affects their financial position because of this, they are not in a position to buy modern technology & machinery or other agricultural implements.

Major Problems Solutions

When a country becomes overpopulated, then its rate of savings also becomes very low as a result of which there is low investment & unemployment in the country which badly affects the economy. Overpopulation can be controlled if most of the people are educated. Educated people can easily understand and feel the benefits of family planning.  It is, of course, the need of the hour to educate our masses. As overpopulation is swallowing up all the economic progress made by the country so the Govt. Pakistan is taking a keen interest in solve the Major Problems of Pakistan of overpopulation by educating the people & making effective use of its resources. Every year a large sum of money is spent on population planning programs to solve the problem of overpopulation.

All the Social problems of pakistan and their solutions have mentioned and those students who are preparing the CSS firstly will read content about these topics. Becasue many times these topics have come in exam.

I am professional education consultant and Teacher, my primary goal is to support students in accessing educational services through Pakistan's rapidly expanding educational website. I strive to provide valuable guidance and assistance to help students make informed decisions about their academic paths and future careers.

13 Comments

Problem related to the very first year of Pakistan

ALLAH IS RAZIQ : Muslims have a solid belief that God gives food to everyone to an ant living in a stone.so,why they reduce the size of family.if a person gives zakat and alms to poor people who are deserve for that so,no body should be left poor.see the dynesty of UMAR FAROOQ.

i think over population iz a major problem in pakistan……….All incidents occurs due to overpopulation……..

I think major reason of increase in population in Pakistan is due to lack of education, peoples are not aware how to control & educate their children. Government should invest more money to educate people.We should think at individual level to control population.

I think by good planning and devicing a way to manage the population, we can make the population a woking force. More the population is, more will be the outcome of the work. Population is certainly not an issue, issue is the corruption, lack of planning, unwise use of resources, etc.

my region problem is mismangement of all programe.if we properly fellow rule e regualation in our country then our country or by ur self u feel that devoping in our courtey.be honest be active in this world

its the responsibility of each and every individual to follow against the above effects it may help us in decreasing overpopulation

Its not merely a Pakistan problem. Its a subcontinent problem.

Between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh there are 1.6 billion people. This will double in 40 years! Probably sooner, unless something drastic happens.

all r corect. education can change the minds of people

I think the rerason of overlimit population in pakistan is Lack of aeducation.In backword areas people think if they born many child then they also earn more money but thy can’t understand in this way ourresources will be also divided.Only one thing change them mind and That is (EDUCATION)

I think the reason of growth a population in Pakistan is lack of Education.Our 50 Percent population is uneducated .In backword areas people think if they born many people then they earned more money but they can’t understand if population ‘ll be increase then our resources will be also divided.

overpopulation in Pakistan is also a threat for our National Security

Lack of proper education in pakistan is one of the common problem due to which most of the guys from that location are opting the field which is not acceptable in human society. I think , education is the only key which can divert the current situation of Pakistan

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Social Problems Of Pakistan As It Heads Into 2023

In the end, Pakistan is currently full of many social and political issues, and the talk of the problems needs lots of time and effort. But, some of the social problems above need an active approach and actual actions to hold. In the absence of this, the social problems of Pakistan continue to delay Pakistani society from making significant growth.

The  Social Problems of Pakistan  and their solutions are talked over in this article. Pakistan is a rising state facing a range of issues. The problems have a variety of sources and have a long-lasting impact on the stability of the economy and this country's overall. The social problems in Pakistan divide into various heads. For example, education is considered the most cost-effective method of defense. However, it is not upheld in the country, which has seen the literacy rate in the country drop. Therefore, the citizens will not get primary education, so they cannot power the nation. Let's discuss in detail the  major social problems of Pakistan .

8 Prevalent Social Problems Of Pakistan  

A review is conducted and carried out in the hands of the federal government of Pakistan, and that shows that the poverty rate has increased from 30 percent to 40 percent over the past 10 years. See that 40percent of the people get under the poverty line. People are not provided with life needs, like food, medicine, shelter, learning, housing, and clothing needed to live.

2- Illiteracy

Literacy refers to people who are 15 or more who can "read" and "write." In this sense,

Pakistanis publicly report having a literacy rate of 50% in the country. However, even those classified as "Literate., Can only write and read, which is considered illiteracy in today’s skills-focused world.

3- Civil Volatility

Political flux and corruption are the  prevailing social problems of Pakistan . A while ago, the people who were considered corrupt, with a sense of responsibility, were now able to rule us after a few years. And are welcomed by their new leaders with full arms. This is the main reason that the political structure in Pakistan isn't really.

View More: What Are Most Common Diseases in Pakistan

4- Overpopulation, Inflation, Unemployment

Inflation, Overpopulation, and unemployment are the main issues facing Pakistan. However,

if the figures are accurate, they could be higher than the official stated facts. The government has an estimated growth rate of 2%. For a country with a population of 160 million, Pace is counting to be about 3.2 million annually. Around 40 percent of the population is currently living in poverty, and 5.6percent of the official statistics of the people are not employed. The

Expanding number of people living in Pakistan only adds to the issues of the already under-pressure state.

5- Lawlessness

In Pakistan, there is a lawlessness issue that is a social issue. On a smaller scale, the population does not respect traffic rules, i.e., breaking traffic signals. The 'one country, 2 rules' direction is tracked to a higher degree when influential people who commit vast sums of corruption get away scot-free. In comparison, the less fortunate are given a proper penalty for committing a minor offense. So, the lack of responsibility across the board and respect for the law is seriously tarnishing Pakistan's reputation on the international stage.

6- Favoritism

Partiality refers to the act of favoriting family members or friends, mainly through the offer of jobs. Nepotism is part of the type of fraud. Because of nepotism, worthy individuals cannot be acknowledged to universities or work. In the end, intelligent and talented people can't help the country in various fields. This is the reason Pakistan is behind in a lot of areas.

7- Ferocity, Bombing

Violence comes from corner to corner in Pakistan. Women are hurt the most by home cruelty. Additionally, many violent cases in Madrassas or schools are told in the news. At the state level, activism and religious violence are typical examples. Sit-ins in Faizabad exchange Islamabad in Pakistan by TLP, and the damage of public property by some terrorist groups are significant examples of the violence of religion in Pakistan. Furthermore, Pakistan has kept on a terror target since 2001. However, the standards of terrorism have reduced considerably.

Read More About Effect of Air pollution on your health

8- Gender Discrimination

Judgment against genders has remained a major  social problem of Pakistan . As a result, women are often left out of the economic and educational sector. There are many social problems for Pakistan girls and women, including forced or early marriages, public harassment, acid attacks, and rape. Other than that, due to mental illness , girls being thrown acid incidents are increasing each day. 

Bottom Line

Please book an appointment with the best Psychiatrist in Lahore , Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare , or call our helpline at 03100002273 to find the verified doctor for your disease.

• prevailing social problems of Pakistan
• social problems of Pakistan
• social problem of Pakistan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are social problems.

A social problem is an issue that affects lot of people within society. For Example Poverty, unemployment, unequal opportunity, racism, and malnutrition are common social problems in Pakistan.

What causes social problems?

There are several causes of Social Problems like Overpopulation, economic inequality and poverty, Illiteracy and lack of education, Gender inequality, High unemployment rates and Superstitious beliefs.

What are 3 social problems?

Poverty, Illiteracy, Overpopulation, Inflation, Unemployment

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Social problems of PAKISTAN and theoritical perspectives approach to it.

2021, SOCIAL PROBLEMS

seeking problems faced by Pakistan and their solutions. which problem is fully underlies on the theoretical perspective and concluding the solution through understanding the perspective of sociology.

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Social Justice in Pakistan: Progress, Setbacks, and the Way Forward

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