Ballots tallied, the people of Pakistan have voiced their choice. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a surge of support for PTI-backed candidates swept across the entire 101,741 square kilometers. In Sindh, particularly the 425-kilometer stretch between Thatta and Sukkur, remained loyal to PPP. As usual, Balochistan’s expansive 347,190 square kilometers remains a complex mosaic of tribal dynamics and party politics. In Punjab, home to 53 percent of Pakistan’s population, a tense battle unfolded between PML-N candidates and PTI-sponsored contestants.
A new phase is emerging before us. A new era is beginning to take shape. Time bomb or a ticking clock? Race against time. The new government inherits a Pakistan grappling with critical issues, spanning from a fragile economy and security threats to an education crisis, a climate emergency, and extreme political polarization. The new government would be sprinting against the clock, battling against the relentless march of time.
The following are five key issues that the elected government will need to address: Economy:
Our economy is besieged on numerous fronts, including high inflation, a ballooning budget deficit and a multi-billion dollar external financing requirement. The foremost priority for the new government must be to control inflation. The new government cannot do without sharply cutting the budget deficit. The new government cannot do without implementing tighter fiscal policies. The new government cannot do without a multi-billion dollar IMF program. The new government must maintain a market-determined exchange rate. The new government must avoid artificial interventions that could distort the economy.
The new government would have to engage with international lenders to secure funding while implementing reforms to address underlying economic vulnerabilities. The new government would have to create a more business-friendly environment and attract foreign direct investment. The new government would have to support sectors with high growth potential like agriculture and information technology.
Security: Over the past year there have been more than 750 terrorist attacks-that’s more than two attacks a day, every day of the year. There has been an expansion in the targeted areas of attack, with attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated and precise, resulting in fatalities surpassing 1,100. Terrorism is a deeply concerning issue with severe consequences for Pakistan’s security and stability.
The new government would have to enhance intelligence capabilities by modernizing technology and fostering cooperation between various intelligence agencies. The new government must utilize technology like big data analytics and data fusion to identify potential threats and prevent attacks. The new government would have to strengthen financial intelligence and crack down on money laundering activities that support terrorist groups. The new government would have to counter extremist ideologies by engaging with religious scholars to promote tolerance and counter hateful rhetoric.
Education: The new governments at the provincial level would have to enhance the quality of teaching and learning by modernizing curriculum and improving teacher training and development. The new governments at the provincial level would have to introduce technology in classrooms to bridge the digital divide. The new governments at the provincial level must focus on removing barriers to girls’ education. The new governments at the provincial level must look into decentralizing education management by empowering local communities and schools to have greater control over decision-making and resource allocation.
Healthcare: The new governments at the provincial level must strengthen government funding for healthcare facilities. The new governments at the provincial level must ensure that essential services are accessible and affordable for all, especially in rural areas. The new governments at the provincial level must explore options for sustainable health insurance coverage especially for vulnerable groups.
Climate change: The new government must immediately declare a climate change emergency. Pakistan is already experiencing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, devastating floods, increased droughts and heatwaves leading to food shortages and price hikes. The new government would have to find funding to invest in early warning systems. The new government would have to promote climate-smart agriculture. The new government would have to invest in water infrastructure. The new government would have to transition to renewable energy. The new government would have to engage with international climate funds.
At the provincial level, the new governments would have to protect and restore forests, implement energy efficiency programs in buildings, industry and transportation. At the provincial level, the new governments would have to launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the impacts of climate change.
Political polarization: The new government must facilitate cross-party dialogue and create platforms for open and constructive dialogue between leaders from different parties, focusing on national priorities and common ground. The new government must form parliamentary committees with balanced representation to tackle critical issues like economic development and climate change. The new government must encourage parties to focus on policy platforms, proposed solutions, and future visions instead of personal attacks and negative campaigning.
The ballot boxes have spoken. Pakistan’s stark reality remains unchanged: a fragile economy, festering security threats, an education crisis, a looming climate emergency, and a fractured political landscape. Can the new government unite a fractured nation? The stakes are high. The clock is ticking. The mother of all questions is: Will the new government choose progress over paralysis? Will the new government choose unity over division?
