THE world is observing a surge of countries advancing in economic, political and social spheres. States that were once lacking in development have transformed into powerful entities that shape global affairs. Their ascent is not a concealed mystery. The key to the rise and fall of states is within reach for every nation. The decision on whether to lead the nation towards prosperity or decline lies with the national leadership. In the past, Singapore was a poor country with few avenues for growth. By leveraging its location, the country has made remarkable advancements. In a similar vein, China attained independence two years subsequent to Pakistan’s independence. China is currently a prominent nation in the economic and technological fields. China has excelled as a leading nation in both global trade and human capital competence.
Numerous states, alike in many ways, experienced rapid success. Evidence from history shows us how nations have risen and fallen. The ascent of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as superpowers presents an interesting scenario to discuss. The three countries continue to exist in the aftermath of what the British left behind for them. Using India as a case study, we see that nepotism is common in Indian society. The Bollywood industry exemplifies this situation perfectly. A large number of young individuals in their industry are the descendants of popular actors and actresses. It surely hinders numerous skilled yet less influential people from showcasing their talents to the world.
Elite capture has led to the prevalent poverty in India. Mukesh Ambani splurged on his son’s wedding, contrasting with the harsh reality that many poor people in India face, sleeping without food or shelter. Corruption is widespread in India and often depicted in Bollywood films. Similarly, the issue of violence against women in Indian society is escalating as rape cases increase each day. The refusal of India to grant Kashmiris their freedom and the violence against them impede India’s ability to become a regional power. Similarly, the polarization of Indian society due to violence against Muslims poses a significant challenge for the Indian government. Education and healthcare are also seen as luxuries in India. The best amenities in these sectors are within reach of affluent and wealthy individuals.
In addition, Indian society lacks inclusivity. Even with promising economic growth opportunities, India’s social structure remains extractive. India’s social structure prevents it from competing to become a global power. Predicting a country’s rise to superpower status solely based on its economic growth is a mistake. This is about what’s happening in India. Bangladesh’s situation is quite similar. Extractive institutions are evident in Bangladesh based on the recent revolution. Despite Bangladesh’s economic success, the possibility of it becoming a significant power in the region is low. There are still individuals living in poverty in Bangladesh. Corruption plagues the country and inclusivity is lacking in society. For Bangladesh to rise and influence global dynamics, leaders must commit years of effort and dedication.
Pakistan has the potential to emerge as a significant power locally and globally. The geographical features of Pakistan establish it as a significant presence in the region. With its human capital and abundant resources, Pakistan has the potential to become a prosperous nation within a short period. Pakistan lacks the leadership needed to foster unity and growth across society. The fact is widely recognized that Pakistan can achieve remarkable growth if given the chance. This reality is something that many Indians, Bangladeshis, and even Pakistanis may deny. Allow me to present a hypothetical situation. Pakistan is currently the only nation grappling with challenges across economic, technological, and political fronts. The growth of Pakistan has been limited by the terrorism monster since 1979. The extensive political turmoil has diverted the focus of policymakers from the journey toward progress. The lack of clear direction from leadership has hindered the country’s growth for decades. Democracy in Pakistan has not yet fully developed as it continues to evolve. Pakistan’s economy relies on assistance from the IMF. Pakistan’s fair share in global trade and representation in global politics has been hindered by global lobbying. The global propaganda against Pakistan by its enemies has undermined confidence in Pakistan worldwide. Pakistan manages to survive and endure despite these challenges. Pakistan’s history has been marked by challenges unparalleled in the histories of India and Bangladesh. Once Pakistan attains political stability, accomplishes its educational goals, and secures true leadership, it will surpass India and Bangladesh by several years.
The only thing needed in Pakistan is unity in diversity and a favourable social and political atmosphere. If Quaid-e-Azam had lived a bit longer, Pakistan would have been a much better country today. The main obstacles preventing Pakistan from emerging as a significant player in the economic, political, and technological sectors are feeble leadership and the absence of national agreement on political topics. Pakistan is the sole state out of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan that has the potential to accomplish this.
This viewpoint is completely impartial. Pakistan has not been provided with the same chances for making an impact as Bangladesh and India have had in their histories. The advancements they have made so far can be credited to peaceful shifts in governance, steering clear of unnecessary conflicts, assistance from powerful nations worldwide, and a supportive atmosphere for economic and technological advancement. If Pakistan can attain all of this, it will advance the two states and establish itself as the primary power in the region.
—The writer is an educationist and a Commoner from 44th Common, based in Sargodha.
