NATIONS fall apart if they lack prosperity and equality.
Prosperity fosters community harmony, sparks innovation and draws investment.
National prosperity, achieved through equal opportunity, reduces internal strife and promotes global stability.
Alternatively, nations without prosperity are prone to conflict, decay and socio-political collapse.
Pakistan’s past is characterized by political instability, societal divisions and economic reliance on others.
Power struggles among successive governments have hindered the development of people-centred, progressive policies.
Without a shared strategic vision, institutions have been weakened, social disparities have grown and the country has become dependent on foreign aid and loans.
We must discover routes to prosperity.
Within this framework, national integration is essential for achieving any other kind of success.
A nation’s fragmentation is caused by ethnic conflict, economic devastation, corrupt politics and a loss of public trust in the government.
These factors could create deep societal divisions, thus hindering the state’s ability to maintain unity and cohesion.
Intertwined ethnic nationalism and political power struggles in Yugoslavia led to the violent conflicts of the 1990s and the country’s disintegration.
For our nation to thrive, national integration must underpin all other efforts.
Uniting the nation unlocks the path to hidden prosperity.
In addition, human capital investment is essential for national prosperity.
Investing in education, healthcare and skills training is crucial for economic and social progress.
However, Pakistan performs extremely poorly on human development indices.
The UN’s 2023 Human Development Report shows Pakistan’s HDI value at 0.540 in 2022, placing it in the ‘Low Human Development’ category.
Moreover, robust social safety nets enable citizens to innovate and pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
Universal access to healthcare, education and housing in the US and Scandinavia has created thriving business environments and protected citizens from destitution.
Pakistan needs to adopt this model to foster innovation and economic growth.
Programs like Ehsaas mark a first step; a wider, universal safety net is needed to lessen vulnerability and boost socio-economic advancement.
Furthermore, technology is the engine of prosperity in the modern world.
Superior technology equates to dominance in trade, politics and military affairs.
Innovation, research and development have driven the prosperity of the US, China and South Korea.
Singapore’s technological investment is key to its growth.
Through technological advancements, Pakistan can restructure its economy, increase trade and restore its prosperity.
Pakistan can also prosper through a knowledge-based economy.
South Korea’s 1960s investment in universal primary and secondary education resulted in a skilled workforce capable of driving industrial and technological growth.
Pakistan’s curriculum needs a major update to prioritize critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation.
A modern, inclusive and standardized education system will equip its youth to meet global standards and boost the economy from the ground up.
Furthermore, the agricultural revolution could transform Pakistan into an export-driven economy.
Pakistan’s agriculture sector, which employs over 36% of the workforce, only contributes about 18% to 25 % to the GDP, revealing low productivity.
Pakistan’s fertile land, abundant water and young population, combined with smart farming, improved cold storage and agricultural research investment, position it to become an agricultural powerhouse.
Urban planning is cardinal to Pakistan’s prosperity.
Well-planned urban areas prioritize safety, mobility and quality of life to foster prosperity.
Singapore’s transformation from a slum-ridden city to a world-class livable city is a testament to its disciplined urban planning, public housing schemes and clean energy initiatives.
Pakistan’s urban centers are struggling with environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and excessive population density.
Investing in mass transit, affordable housing, and green spaces within a sustainable urban development framework improves economic productivity and citizen well-being.
Securing a healthy future contributes to prosperity.
Pakistan faces existential threats from climate change, yet it also has an opportunity for green growth.
Successfully tackling climate change is vital for Pakistan’s economic prosperity, preventing unexpected problems.
The foundation of a prosperous society rests primarily on justice and fair play.
In the absence of justice and fair play, businesses are hesitant, citizens are distrustful, and corruption is rampant.
To achieve prosperity, we need a just, efficient, and open legal system.
Prosperity alone won’t solve Pakistan’s problems.
Maintaining prosperity requires consistent effort.
For lasting prosperity, these strategies are key.
It is essential to diversify trades first.
To avoid dependence on aid and loans, Pakistan needs to cultivate strong exports, decrease reliance on imports, and develop regional trade links.
Second, women’s empowerment should be central to policy.
Bangladesh exemplifies how empowering women in the workplace and government propels national progress.
Re-establishing the rule of law is the third step in building a fair, predictable environment conducive to investment and social cohesion.
Justice should be accessible to all, not just the elite.
Strengthening democracy requires more than just elections; transparency, participation, and responsiveness are also crucial.
Accountability, efficiency, and inclusiveness, the hallmarks of good governance, must replace ad-hocism and nepotism.
Institutionalizing prosperity in Pakistan requires that.
The road to prosperity is evident for Pakistan; there’s no need to wander.
However, without the will and courage to act, these possibilities will remain untapped.
A nation’s success mirrors its citizens’ well-being and government’s goals.
Although Pakistan has a history filled with missed opportunities and broken promises, its future can be different.
We can restore prosperity by focusing on integration, development, security, technology, and governance.
Ignoring these pathways might result in Pakistan losing its influence regionally and globally.
Yet, embracing them will pave the way for a brighter, fairer, and wealthier future in Pakistan, one where all citizens flourish.
—The writer is Commoner from 44th Common Educationist — Founder of WHI Institute. based in Sargodha. ([email protected])
