Lecture # 28

Current Issues and Social problems of

Pakistan, Part I

Recap of lecture # 27
Topic: Pakistans Foreign Policy Part II
Guiding Principles of Pakistans Foreign
Policy
Analysis of Guiding Principles
Important Factors of Foreign policy
Current Focusing points
Major Alliance
Major Rivalries

Cont.
International Organizations & Foreign
policy
Overview of different phases of Pakistans
Foreign Policy
Pak-US Relations
Pak-China Relations and foreign policy
Todays topic: Current Issues and
Problems of Pakistan

Difference between Issues & Social Problems

In general terms a Social problem

describe as it is moral and ethical in
nature - for example: Inner-city
homelessness, poverty, Child labor etc.
Issue can be defined as a point or
matter of discussion, debate, or dispute
on legal and moral basis and a matter of
public concern.
***

Effects of issues and Social Problems

Social problems and issues very adversely affect

our society. One of the major effects is that our
harmony is distributed and it creates hostility
and distrust in the society.
These
also
result
in
large-scale
social
dissatisfaction and create suffering and misery.
On the whole social problems & issues do not
help at all in solving any problem but create
problems of serious magnitude, which is
disadvantageous to the whole society.

Cont.

Social Problem can be defined as:

A social problem is any different behavior
in a disapproved direction of such a degree
that it exceeds the tolerance limit of the
community.
It may also be defined as a condition, which
effects large number of people in an
adverse manner.

Cont.
But in this connection it may be pointed out that
problem or issue is not an absolute term. It is
only a relative term because what is problem for
one society may not be problem for the other.
Similarly problem is not permanent and universal.
What may appear problem today may not remain so
tomorrow. We find that in Pakistan child marriage
was problem till yesterday but today it has received
universal criticism and as such is no problem at all.
***

List of Current issues & Problems of Pakistan

Image of Pakistan
Human Rights violation
Social problems
Environmental Issues
Health Issues/Poor health facilities
Electricity load shedding
Educational Issues & low literacy rate
Political Issues/lack of quality leadership

Cont.

Poverty
Terrorism
Food and water crisis
Population growth
Internal and international migration
Gender discrimination
Foreign loans
Child labor
Inflation
Injustice
Smuggling
Drug abuse

Cont.
Increase in suicide attempts
Street crime
Ethnic conflicts
***

Issue: Image of Pakistan

Pakistan has occupied the center place in world

politics not only because of its geographical location
but also its historical background and relationship
with the four other nuclear powers in the world India, Israel, England and America. Currently Pakistan
is experiencing major crisis in different fields of life.
The present government seems to be extremely
passionate of the idea of marketing a soft image of
Pakistan at the global level.
Solution: This image building exercise cannot be
undertaken overnight. It has to be a sustained
projection over a prolonged period.
***

Issue: Human Rights violation

Pakistans human rights record is generally regarded

as poor by domestic and international observers.
Many observers contend that the countrys legal
code is largely concerned with crime, national
security and domestic quietness, and less with the
protection of individual rights.
Pakistan have suffered for decades because here
human rights have not been protected in the
communities. Whether they are women or children
and sometimes the rights of minorities are
threatened.

Cont.
The Pakistani Constitution ensure equal
rights and freedoms to all citizens.
Pakistan still struggles between the laws
and traditions.
Solution: Today we have an urgent need to
eradicate human rights violations for the
sovereignty and prosperity of Pakistan.
***

POVERTY
According to an analysis which shows that the
poverty has increased roughly from 30% to
40% during the past decade.
Consider that if 40%of a countrys population
is earning their lives below the poverty-line in
which the people are deprived of basic
necessities of life such as clothing, shelter,
food, education and medication, such families
and their children will be forced to think of
their survival only.

Cont.

Even after decades of existence there is no

equal distribution of wealth and resources.
Pakistan remains a feudal society where 90%
of its wealth is owned by 10% of people.
Industrialization has suffered because of the
unpredictable economy and politics.
None of the governments, military or civil,
had any effective plan of action to decrease
the gap between the rich and the poor.

Cont.
Those Pakistanis who went to work in the Middle
East in 1970s and 80s, and brought back foreign
currency, have also created an economic imbalance
and uneven social growth in the country.
Solution: The problem has now reached a critical
decision-making stage. There should be population
control according to resources. State and people
should seriously plan to resolve this issue without
any delay.
***

EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS

Rather than increasing, in the last sixty-five years, the

literacy rate has decreased as the schools have not
kept up with the population explosion.
Literacy is defined as persons aged 15 or above who
can read and write". According to this definition,
Pakistanis officially reported to have 50% literacy rate.
Which means half of its population is illiterate.
With such family backgrounds, inflation, poverty and
child labor this rate is expected to increase in future.
Even for those who are termed as Literate are only
able to read and write, which in todays technology
oriented world is still considered as illiteracy.

Cont.
Majority of the people forming the top controlling
tier is almost unaware of technologies and technical
mindset. Thus, causing the country to adopt the
new technologies at a snails speed.
Sadly, most people in the villages cannot read or
write. There is no national standardized educational
system. Because of the large number of children,
many poor parents, who do not practice family
planning can not provide their children proper
food , education and other basic facilities.

Cont.
Education is considered as the cheapest defense of a
nation The Constitution of Islamic Republic of
Pakistan says, The state of Pakistan shall remove
illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary
education within minimum possible period.
Unequal education system Different medium of
instruction in Public and private sector Regional
disparity (standard of education varies in different
provinces of Pakistan) In FATA, the literacy rate is
deplorable constituting 29.5% in males and 3% in
females

Cont.
Pakistan is the only country where many children do
not get their primary education in their native
language. Rather than studying in Punjabi, Pushto,
Balochi and Sindhi, many children are taught in Urdu,
English and Arabic which are not their mother
tongues.
Solution: A uniform educational policy needs to
introduce at national level addressing all the
population of Pakistan and need to promote primary
education in regional languages.
***

HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS

Many Pakistanis suffer from physical and

emotional problems, there is no sufficient
health care system in place.
Children still suffer from malnourishment
because of prevalent poverty.
Many patients with emotional problems only
see a psychiatrist when they get violent and
have a nervous breakdown.
Mental illness is still surrounded by visible
stigma. Because of lack of health education
there is less emphasis on prevention.

Cont.
Pakistan is facing a health crisis with rising rates of
heart disease, diabetes, and other non-communicable
diseases (NCDs). which unduly affect poor families,
with possible side effects of disability and premature
death, and worsening poverty as people pay for
medical treatment out of their own pockets.
Furthermore, dreaded diseases such as dengue and
Congo fevers have been reported from the field,
along with measles and neonatal tetanus. From Oct.
15 to 22, WHO reported about consultations for
pneumonia, diarrhea, and suspected malaria.

Cont.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 4

million cases of diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, and
skin illnesses that had largely resulted from the flood
conditions. Cholera outbreaks have also been reported
from flood-affected areas.
Solution: At public level to create awareness about
diseases and prevention measures while at
government level seek consultation to other countries
who are successfully implemented health polices and
provided health services to their public.
***

Energy Crisis
Electricity is the major Problem Pakistan facing
today. Electricity in Pakistan is generated,
transmitted, distributed and retail supplied by two
vertically integrated public sector utilities: Water
and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for all
of Pakistan (except Karachi), and the Karachi
Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) for the City of
Karachi and its surrounding areas.
There are around 16 independent power producers
that contributes significantly in electricity
generation in Pakistan.

Cont.
For years, the matter of balancing Pakistans
supply against the demand for electricity has
remained a largely unresolved matter. Pakistan
faces a significant challenge in restoring its
network responsible for the supply of electricity.
Pakistan suffers from a massive electricity
shortage. Electricity generation in Pakistan has
shrunk by 50% in recent years due to an overreliance on hydroelectric power.

Cont.
In 2008, availability of power in Pakistan falls short of the
populations needs by 15% Pakistan was hit by its worst
power crisis in 2007.
Load Shedding have become constant problem in Pakistan
in recent years. The main problem with Pakistans poor
power generation is rising political instability, together
with rising demands for power and lack of efficiency.
Solution: To improve efficiency and to conclude
advantageous and favorable contracts with power
generation companies.
***

Corruption

Corruption although can be classified into a thousands

of categories depends on how good people manipulate
things. However the basic and most common type is
"bribe" which has far reaching implications towards
the destruction of complete system. Any system would
be declared as a complete failure once the corruption
starts appearing even on the grass root level.
Corruption in Pakistan is widespread at all levels .The
country has had a constantly poor ranking at the
Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions
Index.

Cont.
The Transparency International reveals an increase in
corruption in Pakistan, making the country to stand at 42nd
position among the most corrupt countries in the world.
Solution: First, by planning institutional checks and next
by ensuring greater transparency in government and
private sector as well. To begin with the standard of
legislative responsibility must be raised. Ministers are
trustees of public money and poverty and should be made
accountable as trustees. Two more safeguards are
essential. One is a right to information law. The other is a
partnership between a vigilant press and an assertive
public opinion.
***

Political Instability
Democracy is the product of wishes of the
people and not of the desires of an elite
few. But political system of Pakistan could
not resulted implementing the democratic
values. Illiterate voters, family ties among
politicians and feudalism has constrained
in application of democratic system in
Pakistan. Democracy can be revived in
Pakistan by taking following steps:

Cont.
Solution:
1. Reform the judiciary
2. Creation of an independent election commission
3. Internal party elections
4. Strengthen the free press
5. Division of provinces
6. Dont neglect provincial and local government
7. Implementation of the constitutions
8. Continuity of fair elections
9. Protection of minorities and civil liberties
***

INTERNATIONAL INTERFERENCE
Interference in Pakistan is not new; it can be
divided into different phases, mostly cold war
period, Afghan Soviet Union war and current phase
which started after 9/11 when America firmly
believed that Al Quaida is responsible for 9/11
attacks and they are located under the security of
Taliban in Afghanistan.
Pakistan is ally of America in the war against
Afghanistan as well as the victim of drone attacks.
It is really necessary because they have a very odd
relationship.

Cont.
India is typically termed as a conventional
enemy to Pakistan. Pakistan lost its one wing
due to Indian interference.
Solution : In India with a billion plus population
has a million problems to handle. Yet the focus
of India has been right and it shows in its 8%
economic growth. Its time Pakistan learns this
lesson and corrects its focus.
****

Summary
Difference between Issues & Social Problems
Effects of issues and Social Problems
List of Current issues & Problems of Pakistan
Issue: Image of Pakistan
Issue: Human Rights violation
Poverty
Socioeconomic Problems
Educational Problems

Cont.

Health care Problems

Energy Crisis
Corruption
Political Instability
International Interference

Quotation
Fear is the path to the Dark Side... Fear
leads to anger... anger leads to hate... hate
leads to suffering...
Yoda, Star Wars, Episode 1, the Phantom Menace

Thank you