We are officially 241.49 million people across Pakistan, with a population growth rate of 2.55% as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The (adjusted) results of the digital census 2023 have been unanimously approved by the Council of Common Interests. This critical development, unfortunately, failed to draw the attention it deserves from our Twitter warriors, fiery TV anchors, the Pakistan experts who live abroad and elite activists. Most of these activists attend international forums, advocating for the rights of the vast majority of Pakistanis, who are successfully kept unaware of the concept of rights.
I do not regret the thousands of hours I have spent from the prime of my life, like many of my like-minded and competent colleagues and senior counterparts, invested in working directly with disadvantaged communities and bringing their voices to platforms with power, and facing the wrath of the dominant elites. When challenged, these elites resort to wearing many hats - as experts, people-centered leaders, interested all of a sudden in nurturing forums like the Pakistan Reproductive Health Network, Ending Violence Against Women And Girls and forming coalitions with NNGOs.
However, I do find myself deeply saddened by the current state of affairs. There seems to be a lack of genuine, passion-driven dialogue concerning the actual priorities of our people. While concerns are raised about the financial implications of issues like sexual and gender-based violence, population growth, and the challenges posed by youth and elderly bulges, those who should be most concerned about these matters do not care, often because they themselves have dual nationalities and their children have comfortably settled abroad. They appear content with attending colorful events at 5-star hotels or exclusive venues that are inaccessible to the general public, and they take pride in receiving various awards.
An entrenched "elitist consensus" renders any questioning of processes virtually unthinkable. Mourning the loss of merit, quality education, healthcare, respect for educators, and reverence for literature demands another series of compositions—or, truth be told, might not even be necessary in an apathetic environment.
Today, Pakistan, with its 170 districts, bears witness to a disillusioned youth. I acknowledge that hundreds of thousands have been provided with laptops; however, this initiative has come at the cost of their self-esteem, as they were coerced into interviews or compelled to participate in paid content to express gratitude to a Prime Minister who, driven by perhaps noble intentions, utilized taxpayers' money and reaped political advantages. An audacious capture by the elite prevails, allowing no space for upward mobility, is our fait accompli. With distressing ratings in fundamental literacy and a blatant disregard for Article 25-A, the trajectory of development skews towards "higher education" and the establishment of new universities. An entrenched "elitist consensus" renders any questioning of processes virtually unthinkable. Mourning the loss of merit, quality education, healthcare, respect for educators, and reverence for literature demands another series of compositions—or, truth be told, might not even be necessary in an apathetic environment.
What do these datasets signify? It's evident that the eyes cannot perceive what the brain does not know. Had I possessed an economist's outlook, I would have interpreted the information differently and carried out some calculations. Perhaps I would have mustered the courage to advocate that, around 30-35 years ago, Pakistan should have aimed to "control" its population and aim for a growth rate of less than 2%, resulting in substantial economic benefits today. Unhappily, I am not inclined towards numbers, but rather view things through a lens of needs and perspectives. This viewpoint doesn't imply any lack of respect or disagreement with economists.
Who would tell those who matter that it is high time for transformative governance?
On the contrary, the very foundation of my humble insights into the realm of gender studies is rooted in the contributions of esteemed economists such as Dr. Mahbub-ul Haq, who coined the concept of human development and highlighted glaring gender disparities in South Asia, Dr. Khadija Haq, the actual author of the renowned research in 1968 on 22 industrial families, in Pakistan, Prof. Todaro, who taught me the core values of human development—self-esteem, freedom of choice, and sustainability, and Dr. Amartya Sen, who shed light on the issue of the Missing 100 million girls/women. What astonishes me in their work, as well as that of numerous others, is their capacity for critical thinking and their ability to connect the intricacies of economics with notions of social justice and welfare.
This "biased" affinity of mine towards economists' works, combined with my inherent inclination to scrutinize matters of national significance through an intersectional lens, consistently leaves me pondering. Why do inequalities stemming not from divine intervention, but from malicious intentions and the pursuit of self-centered agendas—devoid of accountability by our esteemed politicians and their favored individuals (read boys or men, because there are far few women to cause any disruption) in the bureaucracy—fail to gain traction within our academic, activist, and media circles? How is it that the glaring issue of the elephant in the room remains disregarded? Why has the politicization of the population agenda been conveniently overlooked? Who would tell those who matter that it is high time for transformative governance? These questions, among others, might never receive answers or attention. Yet, I still aim to document this, hopeful that someday someone with intellectual courage will examine Pakistan's history and alternative facts.