As we bid farewell to the year 2024, a year eclipsed by aggravated polycrises, the aim shall be to build meaningful consensus for sustainable growth and development in the coming year. Co-operation is one of the most fundamental traits in human beings, one that many biologists believe is at the root of our survival over the millennia. If Pakistan is to survive this crisis, it is meaningful cooperation rather than conflict and polarisation that will hold the key. It is pertinent to note that the solution does not lie within a single party or a single leader as the widespread belief holds. Pakistan’s polity, with its ethnic diversity, is divided into various fractions allowing each political entity to represent the interests of its people. A National consensus needed to tackle the growing discontent among the populace would focus on these areas:
Dialogue among political forces: In the aftermath of the 2024 general elections and widespread allegations of rigging, it is necessary to investigate the concerns raised by the opposition parties and engage in meaningful reforms to curb the decade-old influence of non-democratic forces in the election process. However, it is also pertinent for the opposition to use the Parliament as a forum to discuss their grievances rather than taking onto the streets and threatening the writ of the state by instigating widespread violence. Recent developments, about Government-Opposition engagement, are welcoming, but there must be assurances from each side that they will hold the end of their bargain and not detract from the agreed-upon agenda.
Economic reforms: According to a report, in a recent protest called by the PTI, Pakistan’s economy suffered an unprecedented loss of Rs 190 billion. Building upon the Government-Opposition engagement, a consensus over the economy, also popularised as the ‘Charter of Economy’ shall be prioritised to insulate the economy from political upheavals. The economic reforms shall then focus on widening the tax base by streamlining the informal economy, speeding up the privatisation of loss-making state-owned enterprises, reducing the inflated government expenditures by shutting down duplicate ministries post the 18th Amendment, and finally, materialising the development of Special Economic Zones under CPEC to boost employment and the export base.
Human development: The economic development of Singapore under the leadership of Lee Yuan Yew highlights the importance of human development for sustainable economic growth. Pakistan ranks 161 out of 191 countries on the Human Development Index. With more than Twenty-six million out-of-school children, stunted growth in 40% of children under 5, and approximately 96 million people living in poverty, the future looks bleak. The government expenditure on health, education, and social security must be increased for Pakistan to cater to its growing population. Functional Local Governments shall be charged with efficiently running government schools and local hospitals, ensuring the attendance of teachers and doctors at grassroots levels, and effectively using the funds that are allocated. Vocational training institutes, under the CPEC, must be functional to impart skills among the workforce to boost employment.
While conducting military operations against the terrorist outfits, Pakistani authorities need to engage with the Afghan Taliban through trade and religious diplomacy to convince them of Pakistan’s support in their development and at the same time
Women empowerment: No nation can progress in the modern world without their women being side by side in the public realm. A widespread consensus is much vaunted to break social taboos about women’s employment that stands at a staggering low of 22.3%, much below the global average of 53%. Women’s political participation is also a concerning factor when only 12 out 306 women succeed in making to the Parliament in 2024 elections. Encouraging girl's education through social movements, boosting women's participation in the workforce by strengthening anti-harassment laws, and using the quota system effectively to increase women’s political participation are necessary for Pakistan to grow in the 21st century.
Climate resilience: Despite contributing less than 1% to global climate emissions, Pakistan is among the ten most vulnerable countries to climate change. The devastating floods of 2022 that submerged 10% of the country are a glaring manifestation of the catastrophe unfolding in the country. While the COP29 failed to meet financing goals for third-world countries, Pakistan must not lose sight of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and aim to transform into a greener economy by 2030. Investment in solar energy, Electric vehicles, smart agriculture, sustainable urban planning, and early warning systems is the only viable solution for Pakistan to achieve resilience against Climatic disasters.
Counter-terrorism: The growing instances of terrorism in Balochistan and KP have shaken the country’s resolve to curb terrorism from its roots. A soft stance of the new Taliban government towards TTP and IS has aggravated the security situation in Pakistan’s border areas. While conducting military operations against the terrorist outfits, Pakistani authorities need to engage with the Afghan Taliban through trade and religious diplomacy to convince them of Pakistan’s support in their development and at the same time, the need for their support to curb growing instances of terrorism within Pakistan.
Active diplomacy: The National Security Plan 2022 highlights the shift in the state’s policy from Geo-strategy to Geo-economics. For that matter, it is inevitable for Pakistan to balance itself in the growing tussle between the US and China for global dominance. Middle states like Pakistan shall engage in meaningful cooperation with both powers to obtain benefits for their National interests. Assuring the US of support in counter-terrorism operations in the region coupled with strict action against drug trafficking is a viable diplomatic solution to avoid being at a crossroads with the current superpower. On the other hand, further strengthening relations with the Iron Brother, China, an incoming superpower by materialising CPEC, people-to-people engagements, and boosting trade is pertinent for Pakistan’s relevance in the emerging global order.
These areas of cooperation and consensus among political stakeholders and the wider society are necessary for Pakistan to move forward into the new year and achieve its sustainable development goals that will allow the fifth largest country, by its population size, to leave a mark on the global stage.