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The Lingering Issue: Pakistan’s Enduring Challenges

Overview

The Dawn editorial titled “Lingering Issue” underscores Pakistan’s persistent structural problems that continue to obstruct national development. Despite repeated reform pledges, the country struggles with political instability, weak governance, economic mismanagement, and institutional inefficiencies. These challenges are deeply entrenched, eroding public trust and limiting Pakistan’s capacity to progress. Addressing them requires not only policy reforms but also sustained political will and institutional strengthening.

Key Dimensions of the Lingering Issue

1. Governance Crisis

• Weak Institutions: Lack of autonomy and ineffective decision-making mechanisms.
• Poor Service Delivery: Inadequate provision of education, healthcare, and sanitation.
• Corruption: Misuse of authority and diversion of public resources.
• Absence of Meritocracy: Nepotism undermining professional competence.

2. Political Instability

• Frequent Government Changes: Disruption of continuity in national policies.
• Fragile Coalitions: Weak alliances leading to policy paralysis.
• Short-Termism: Emphasis on immediate political gains instead of long-term planning.

3. Economic Turmoil

• Trade Deficit: Persistent imbalance between imports and exports.
• Debt Dependency: Rising reliance on IMF bailouts and foreign loans.
• Inflation and Unemployment: High inflation coupled with limited job creation.
• Declining Reserves: Vulnerability in meeting import and debt obligations.

4. Judicial Backlog

• Case Overload: Over 2.1 million unresolved cases burdening the judiciary.
• Delayed Justice: Legal proceedings stretching over several years.
• Public Distrust: Citizens’ confidence in the rule of law steadily eroding.

5. Security Concerns

• Cross-Border Terrorism: Spillover effects from regional instability.
• Resurgence of Militancy: Renewed extremist activity threatening peace.
• Internal Divisions: Sectarian and ethnic conflicts undermining unity.

6. International Relations

• Debt Reliance: Growing dependence on external financial support.
• Diplomatic Marginalization: Limited global influence and weakened soft power.
• Geopolitical Balancing: Challenges in managing ties with the US, China, and regional actors.

7. Social Strain

• Rising Poverty: Nearly 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.
• Youth Unemployment: Over 2 million educated youth remain jobless.
• Inequality: The widening gap between rich and poor segments of society.
• Education & Healthcare Deficits: 22.8 million out-of-school children and weak health indicators.

Facts and Figures

• External Debt: $126.3 billion (2024).
• Inflation: Averaged 23% in 2023; food inflation exceeded 30%.
• Judicial Backlog: 2.1 million pending cases with average delays of 5–7 years.
• Poverty: 40% of citizens below the poverty line (World Bank).
• Youth Unemployment: 11% nationwide.
• HDI Ranking: 164 out of 193 countries (2023).
• Education Crisis: 22.8 million children out of school, the world’s second-highest figure.

Difficult Vocabulary with Synonyms and Antonyms

1. Lingering – Continuing longer than expected.
   • Synonyms: persistent, enduring, prolonged
   • Antonyms: fleeting, short-lived, temporary
2. Instability – Prone to change or collapse.
   • Synonyms: turbulence, volatility, uncertainty
   • Antonyms: stability, steadiness, balance
3. Deficit – A shortage or shortfall.
   • Synonyms: gap, insufficiency, shortcoming
   • Antonyms: surplus, abundance, excess
4. Erode – To weaken or undermine gradually.
   • Synonyms: deteriorate, corrode, diminish
   • Antonyms: reinforce, strengthen, fortify
5. Accountability – Responsibility for decisions and actions.
   • Synonyms: transparency, liability, answerability
   • Antonyms: irresponsibility, impunity, unaccountability
6. Entrenched – Firmly established and difficult to change.
   • Synonyms: ingrained, rooted, embedded
   • Antonyms: temporary, unstable, superficial
7. Volatility – Likelihood of rapid, unpredictable change.
   • Synonyms: fluctuation, unpredictability, instability
   • Antonyms: constancy, steadiness, reliability

CSS-Relevant Analytical Questions

1. Critically analyze Pakistan’s “lingering issues” and their cumulative impact on democratic stability.
2. How does economic mismanagement intensify political instability in developing states? Support with data.
3. Discuss the consequences of judicial backlog on governance and citizens’ rights. Suggest reforms.
4. Evaluate Pakistan’s dependence on IMF loans and its implications for sovereignty.
5. Assess the role of social sector reforms in addressing Pakistan’s entrenched structural weaknesses.
6. Propose a multi-dimensional roadmap to overcome Pakistan’s enduring challenges.

Way Forward

1. Strengthening Institutions: Ensure autonomy, transparency, and accountability of state institutions through legal and administrative reforms.
2. Political Consensus: Develop a national charter of economy and governance to ensure continuity of reforms beyond party politics.
3. Economic Reforms: Diversify exports, reduce reliance on loans, expand the tax base, and incentivize investment in local industries.
4. Judicial Reforms: Introduce case management systems, expand judicial capacity, and digitize processes to reduce backlog.
5. Counterterrorism Strategy: Enhance intelligence sharing, strengthen law enforcement, and promote deradicalization programs.
6. Diplomatic Engagement: Broaden foreign relations beyond traditional allies to secure diversified investments and political partnerships.
7. Social Investment: Prioritize education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation programs to address inequality and strengthen the human capital base.

Conclusion

The lingering issues highlighted in the editorial are interconnected crises that collectively impede Pakistan’s progress. Political instability fosters economic mismanagement; weak governance breeds corruption; judicial inefficiency undermines the rule of law; and persistent security threats divert resources from development. These challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. A comprehensive national strategy—rooted in institutional reforms, economic restructuring, and social investment—is essential for sustainable progress. For CSS aspirants, mastering these dynamics with supporting data, critical analysis, and policy recommendations is crucial for high-quality exam responses.