Pakistan, a state created so that Muslims and other communities could live freely, harmoniously and with equality inherent in a system where people are governed with justice, has transformed into a crumbling edifice made up of two Pakistan: a 20% that control more than 50% of resources and the remaining 80% that are among the low human development group and who barely survive.
The state’s economy is captured by a few powerful groups, viz, its large and ungainly bureaucracy; the security establishment, industrialists, and the feudal lords. These groups avail themselves of perks that add up to Pak Rs. 2,660 billion, or 8% of the GDP, according to a UNDP report published in 2021. This elite capture is a fundamental feature of the state’s basic design and goes beyond issues of poor governance. Poverty is on the rise, with over 45% of the people below the poverty line, and the chasm between the haves and have-nots is increasing each year. Pakistan is the lowest-ranked country in gender parity, with women lagging behind men in every sphere of life. There is indeed a “feminization of poverty” with 75% of people experiencing poverty being women.
Four martial laws, interspersed with sham democracy years, have weakened the people’s resilience to oppressive and repressive forces. The recent elections in 2024 were shamefully and so obviously rigged that changes in vote counts were made overnight, with new electoral formats designed to show the victory of the already defeated. The Establishment went into overdrive together with the two main compliant political dynasties to set up a government that is now openly run with military involvement and collaboration. The most powerful man in the country today holds meetings with global leaders for key foreign policy discussions, with the civilian government claiming proudly that “he is consulted in all matters.”
At home, ordinary citizens are spied upon, their phones taped, and social media posts monitored. The Parliament, custodian of citizens’ rights, passes laws allowing anyone to be held by security agencies without proof for several months. Political dissent is equated with sedition. Politicians are mere sycophants and subservient to their masters who have placed them on the throne. On the face of it, outstanding achievements are claimed: a strategic win in the armed clash with India in May; the defense pact with Saudi Arabia, and involvement with Trump’s so-called 20-point peace plan for Gaza all speak of minds that seek power, both personally and institutionally. What these might mean for ordinary citizens and the risks they involve have yet to be assessed.
Unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is increasing day by day, and no attempt has been made to carve out a political solution. Corruption is so rampant that everyone expects to give and take bribes, especially in state enterprises, government departments (especially in projects), and the judiciary. The latter’s role, once seen to hold guardianship of the country’s constitution, has been rendered toothless, nay, instrumental in proclaiming pre-conceived decisions as demanded by the rulers. There is no longer an independent judiciary that could objectively and with integrity view the powers of the executive and legislative processes.
This picture is not of a poor or homeless pauper; it is of a giant of Russian Literature, Leo Tolstoy. He was a nobleman, the owner of vast lands and great wealth, who sacrificed all his wealth to the poor, people in need, and the homeless and led an ascetic life.
Based in Karachi, the writer is a development professional, researcher, translator and columnist with an interest in religion and socio-political issues. She can be reached at nikhat_sattar@yahoo.com
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