Posts

The Controversial Role of Liaquat Ali Khan in Establishing the Quota System and Alleged Discrimination Against Migrants in Pakistan

Image
Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first Prime Minister (1947–1951), is a towering figure in the country’s early history, revered as Quaid-e-Millat (Leader of the Nation) and Shaheed-e-Millat (Martyr of the Nation). His contributions to consolidating the newly formed state of Pakistan, including laying the groundwork for its administrative and constitutional framework, are widely acknowledged. However, his role in introducing the quota system for civil services in 1948 and allegations of discriminatory practices against migrants (Muhajirs) in job allocations within his ministries have sparked considerable debate. This article critically examines Liaquat Ali Khan’s policies, focusing on the quota system’s origins, its implications for urban Sindh, particularly Karachi, and the contentious claims of discrimination against migrants. The Quota System: Origins and Objectives The quota system in Pakistan was introduced in September 1948 under Liaquat Ali Khan’s administration to ensure...
Post a Comment
Read more

Per Capita Income of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh: A Comparative Analysis

Image
Per capita income, or GDP per capita, is a measure of the economic output of a country divided by its population. It is often used as an indicator of the standard of living and the level of development of a country. In this blog post, we will compare the per capita income of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, three South Asian countries that share a common history and face similar challenges and opportunities. Historical Trends. According to the World Bank data¹, the per capita income of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh in 2020 were $1,588.9, $2,410.9, and $2,688.3 respectively. However, this was not always the case. In 1971, when Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan, its per capita income was only $129.7, much lower than Pakistan's $280.6 and India's $198.9. Since then, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable economic growth and social development, surpassing both Pakistan and India in terms of per capita income. The following graph shows the historical trends of per capita in...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pakistan's Circular Debt: In Simple Words

Image
The circular debt situation in Pakistan is a complex and persistent problem that affects the country's energy sector and economy. Circular debt is the term used to describe the cash shortfall across the power supply chain, caused by the inability of power purchasers to pay power producers, resulting in delayed payments, interest charges, and reduced power generation. The current status of the circular debt is alarming, as it has reached Rs 2,631 billion as of April 2023, an increase of 7.38% from the same period last year. However, it is expected to decrease to Rs 2,374 billion by the end of the fiscal year, due to the government's efforts to allocate subsidies, revise policies, and settle dues. The main reasons behind the circular debt are manifold, but some of the major factors are: - Unreleased and unclaimed subsidies: The government has budgeted Rs 108 billion for subsidies for the power sector, but this amount has not been released or claimed, creating a gap in...
Post a Comment
Read more

The State of Health in Pakistan: A Multi-Dimensional Evaluation of the Problems and Prospects

Image
Image Source: Daily Tribune (2023) The healthcare system in Pakistan is facing many challenges that affect its quality, accessibility, and affordability. Some of the key reasons behind the deteriorating healthcare system are: The Status:  Pakistan had the highest maternal mortality ratio compared to its 11 neighboring countries, at 140 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2017. The median value of all 37 OECD countries was 9 in 2018. Pakistan had the highest neonatal mortality rate among the 11 neighboring countries, at 38 deaths per 1000 live births in 2018. The median value of all 37 OECD countries was 2.3 in 2019. Pakistan had the lowest life expectancy at birth among the 11 neighboring countries, at 67.3 years in 2018. The median value of all 37 OECD countries was 81.3 years in 2019. Low public spending on health:  Pakistan has the 2nd lowest public health expenditures as a percentage of GDP in the world, at 2.9% in 2020. The median value of all 37 OECD countries ...
Post a Comment
Read more

پاکستان کے گرتے ہوئے تعلیمی نظام کے عوامل: ایک تقابلی تجزیہ

Image
پاکستان کے تعلیمی نظام میں مسلسل تنزلی ایک پیچیدہ اور کثیر الجہتی سوال ہے جس کے لیے ایک جامع اور باریک بینی سے تجزیہ کی ضرورت ہے۔ اس مضمون میں میں نے پاکستان کے تعلیمی نظام میں زوال پذیر چند اہم عوامل کا مختصر جائزہ پیش کرنے کی کوشش کی ہے۔  پاکستان کے تعلیمی نظام کو درپیش بڑے چیلنجوں میں سے ایک مناسب اور مساوی فنڈنگ کی کمی ہے۔ یونیسیف کے مطابق، پاکستان اپنی جی ڈی پی کا صرف 2.8 فیصد تعلیم پر خرچ کرتا ہے، جو تجویز کردہ 4 فیصد ہدف سے کافی کم ہے [1]۔ مزید برآں، تعلیمی وسائل کی تقسیم اور تقسیم اکثر سیاسی اور افسر شاہی کے مفادات سے متاثر ہوتی ہے، جس کے نتیجے میں علاقائی اور صنفی تفاوت پیدا ہوتا ہے [2]۔ مثال کے طور پر، سندھ میں، 52% غریب ترین بچے (58% لڑکیاں) اسکول سے باہر ہیں، جب کہ بلوچستان میں، 78% لڑکیاں اسکول سے باہر ہیں [2]۔ ایک اور اہم عنصر تعلیمی پالیسی اور اس کے نفاذ کی کمی ہے۔ پاکستان نے اپنی آزادی کے بعد سے کئی جزوی تعلیمی پالیسیاں مرتب کی ہیں، جن کا مقصد تعلیم تک رسائی، معیار اور مطابقت کو بہتر بنانا تھا [3]۔ تاہم، ان پالیسیوں کو اکثر مختلف اسٹیک ہولڈرز، جی...
Post a Comment
Read more

What's Wrong with Pakistani Education System? A Comparative Analysis

Image
Consistent decline in Pakistan's education system is a complex and multifaceted question that requires a comprehensive and nuanced analysis. However, in this article, I tried to provide a brief overview of some of the main factors that have contributed to the decline in Pakistan's education system.  One of the major challenges facing Pakistan's education system is the lack of adequate and equitable funding. According to the UNICEF, Pakistan spends only 2.8% of its GDP on education, which is well below the recommended 4% target [1]. Moreover, the allocation and distribution of education resources is often influenced by political and bureaucratic interests, resulting in regional and gender disparities [2]. For instance, in Sindh, 52% of the poorest children (58% girls) are out of school, while in Balochistan, 78% of girls are out of school [2].  Another key factor is the lack of policy implementation and enforcement. Pakistan has formulated several education polic...
Post a Comment
Read more

Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan: A Farfetched Possibility.

Image
Pakistan is a country with a complex and turbulent political history, marked by frequent military interventions, civil-military conflicts, and political instability. The possibility of a strong democratic government in Pakistan depends on several factors, such as the level of public participation, the fairness and transparency of the electoral process, the respect for the rule of law and human rights, the accountability and responsiveness of the elected representatives, and the role and influence of the military and other non-state actors. Pakistan faces several challenges and threats to its democracy, such as political polarization, media censorship, judicial interference, economic crisis, security issues, and external pressures. The probability of general elections as planned by the caretaker government is high, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the President have agreed on 8 February 2024 as the date for the general election. This date was announced after ...
Post a Comment
Read more