SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL PROBLEMS OF PAKISTAN

Pakistan just from inception had to face numerous problems of multiple nature. There
was no education, no industry, no agriculture, and no trade and commerce.
Unemployment, cast distinction, feudal supremacy, political and economic inequality
were threatening our national solidarity. After the death of Quaid-e-Azam an^l Liqat AH
Khan a new problem of leadership was raised. However, with the passage of time some
of these problems390

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were resolved and some reached its ultimate end as economic and political disparity led
to the creation of Bangladesh. Many social, economic and political problems still exit and
have hampered the pace of development.

In the first instance despite the lapse of fifty-four years since her independence Pakistan
could not achieve a major break through to enhance its literary rate. Our current literary
rate according to official documents is just 40% while it is 91% in Srilanka, 65% in
Bangladesh and 66% in India. Education is the. first requisite of development and the
nation that lack education dies soon. Moreover, lack of education leads to lack of
awareness.

Male chauvinism is also a big problem of our society. Female section of the population is
often looked with scorn and contempt. They are treated in such a way as if they were a
second degree creature. So far we are oblivious to the fact that man and woman are two
wheels of a vehicle and do not concentrate on the development of our better half we
would lag behind in the comity of nations. Successive governments in Pakistan have
endeavoured to raise the status of women by providing them better chances of education
and other amenities of life. Their participation in different kinds of activities have been
encouraged but still the problems exists and needs proper attention.

Class distinction is another grave problem which is a source of frustration and

disappointment. Our society has been divided into lower, middle and upper strata of
people. Due to unbalanced economic policies the rich are going to become richer while
the poor are to become poorer. Class distinction also leads to exploitation. The w.ealthy
class is constantly busy to exploit the poor section and accumulate further wealth on the
cost of their incessant labour. The rich people of our society in spite of clear religious
teachings do not extent moral or financial support to the needy people.

Unemployment is wrecking the muscles of our youth. It is the root of many evils. It is
said that no man can

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be a true patriot or a staunch believer on an empty stomach. So far unemployment haunts
the mind of a person his most profound devotion would get shaken and he would have no
peace of mind. Joblessness leads to social problems like poverty, and crimes. It creates
desperation, frustration, pessimism and cause inferiority complex. It also causes self-
hatred and lack of confidence. Despite its low literary rate Pakistan has very meager
opportunities of employment. But educated class is not the only sufferer, The uneducated
labourers as well as the tiller of soil bear the throes of unemployment.

Over population is considered to be the mother of all evils. It gives birth to innumerable
multidimensional problems. Though it has now become a global issue yet the galloping
rate of population in Pakistan is a matter of great concern for us. Yawihg gap between
population and production growth accounts for illiteracy, deficient health and sanitation
facilities, unemployment and economic prosperity. Our population is growing at the rate
of 2 percent per annum which is among the highest in the world. It means an addition of
three million every year. This alarming increase in our population is a major obstacle in
the way of dynamic economy.

Besides socio economic problem, Pakistan has always suffered a lot on political front.
The independence from foreign yoke on August 14, 1947 was really political in nature
but till now we are unable to develop a system that suit to the spirit and temperament of
our people. That was the reason Pakistan lost her eastern wing and so many times it went
under military rule. Extremism parochialism terrorism, ethnic racial and lingual issues are
also the outcome of our weak political system. These issues have a direct bearing on our
economy. In case of terror no foreign investor dare to invest in Pakistan. Similarly
extremism and parochialism have weakened the very foundation of our sovereignty. The
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misused by the time-coat politicians. The problems mentioned above are almost the cause
of the failure of democracy.

In view of the situation it is imperative to concentrate and invest a lot in the education
sector, as without education it is quite impossible to create awareness in people regarding
their rights and duties. A heavy portion in our annual budget should be earmarked for this
purpose. An educated couple can act upon the advice and methods of family planners in a
better way. In this way the population growth rate can also be reduced. Since population
has a direct proportion to the production. If we are able to reduce our population our
production rate will automatically increase. This would result in achieving better facilities
of employment health sanitation and entertainment. But this is possible only when we
devise a comprehensive and workable strategy.

POPULATION EXPLOSION

Over population is a serious problem confronted by Pakistan since long and despite
hectic efforts by the government, we could not achieve remarkable success to control our
population. N<p doubt increase in population adds to our manpower. People are not only
produces but aiso consumers. Besides labour provided in the shape of population, capital
and organization are also necessary factors of production. A few years back when modern
technology was not introduced it was assumed that when more iand and capital resources
are available there is need of manpower. In modern age most of the manual work has
been replaced by machines. Machine is an instrument that can do more work than we can
do with our hands. So the functions of man in various sectors have been reduced to a
certain extent. Now-a-days it is not wise to increase population in order to provide more
workers. In case of