A national compact for 2025.

The article discusses Pakistan’s pressing challenges and the need for a unified national compact in 2025 to address them effectively. It advocates for consensual democracy, urging political leaders to rise above parochial interests and embrace inclusivity, tolerance, and inter-provincial harmony. The emphasis on replacing “winner-takes-all” politics with collaborative governance underscores the necessity of cooperation among all political actors. Furthermore, it stresses redefining civil-military relations by aligning them with democratic norms and limiting military interference in governance while ensuring civilian supremacy. Economic recovery is portrayed as a linchpin for stability, with structural reforms—such as broadening the tax base, privatising loss-making enterprises, and diversifying exports—identified as the pathway to sustainable growth. Similarly, human development, marked by improved literacy, health services, and population management, emerges as a core pillar for progress.

Addressing institutional decay and the resurgence of terrorism requires robust reform and a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy. The article calls for depoliticising the civil service and strengthening governance mechanisms to ensure effective public service delivery. On terrorism, it highlights the need for coordinated efforts across intelligence, enforcement agencies, and local communities, coupled with ideological de-radicalisation programs. Ultimately, the article underscores the urgency of strong political will, prioritising national interests over individual agendas, to prevent Pakistan from descending into further instability.

Overview:

This article highlights Pakistan’s critical political, economic, and social challenges while proposing actionable solutions, including fostering political unity, restructuring civil-military relations, implementing economic and institutional reforms, and combating terrorism through a holistic approach.

Notes:

The article highlights the urgency of addressing Pakistan’s intertwined challenges through a unified national compact. It emphasizes the need for consensual democracy, advocating for power-sharing among political stakeholders to ensure stability. Economic reforms, such as widening the tax base, privatizing loss-making enterprises, and diversifying exports, are essential for sustainable growth and reducing reliance on IMF bailouts. Human development is another critical focus, with investments in education, health, and population management identified as key drivers for socio-economic progress. Institutional reform is necessary to depoliticize the civil service and improve governance, while counterterrorism strategies should extend beyond military actions to include community involvement and ideological de-radicalization. The overarching theme is that political will and prioritizing national interests are indispensable for Pakistan’s advancement.

CSS Syllabus Topics Related:

• Pakistan Affairs: Civil-military relations, inter-provincial harmony, and governance.
• Current Affairs: Economic reforms, human development, and counterterrorism.
• International Relations: Regional stability and policy alignment with democratic norms.

Notes for Beginners:

The article explains how Pakistan can address its problems through collective efforts and reforms. It suggests that all political parties should work together instead of competing for power, ensuring fair governance for everyone. Economic improvements can come from collecting more taxes, promoting businesses, and reducing reliance on foreign loans. Investing in schools and healthcare can create a stronger workforce, helping the country grow. Government institutions need to function better by removing political interference, and terrorism should be tackled not only with force but by addressing its root causes, like extremist ideologies. The key idea is that national unity and smart decision-making can lead Pakistan towards a brighter future.

Facts and Figures:

• Pakistan’s poverty rate stands at nearly 40%.
• 26 million school-age children are out of school.
• Pakistan has undergone 25 IMF bailout programs.

To wrap up, The article underscores the necessity for collective action and bold leadership to steer Pakistan through its myriad challenges. With a cohesive national vision, the nation can transition from stagnation to sustainable development, ensuring prosperity for all.

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