AIonomics

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

Political engineering in Pakistan is the process by which the military and other powerful actors have sought to manipulate the political system to their advantage. This has involved a variety of tactics, including supporting and undermining political parties, rigging elections, and even staging coups. Historical Background Political engineering in Pakistan has its roots in the early days of the country's independence. The military played a key role in the creation of Pakistan, and it has continued to see itself as the ultimate guarantor of national security. As a result, the military has often intervened in politics when it has felt that the civilian government was not acting in the best interests of the country. The first major instance of political engineering in Pakistan occurred in 1958, when General Ayub Khan overthrew the civilian government of Prime Minister Iskander Mirza. Ayub Khan ruled Pakistan for the next 11 years, and he implemented a number of reforms, in...