data/Pakistan_in_Choppy_Waters/Pakistan in Choppy Waters.txt

History gives us numerous examples to understand this cyclic phenomenon of hardship and ease. India, for example, went into a serious economic crisis, which was triggered by a balance-of-payments deficit due to excessive reliance on imports and other external factors, in the 1990s. The then-Prime Minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao, and his finance minister, Manmohan Singh, implemented robust economic reforms, including the elimination of restrictions on foreign investment, allowing foreign companies to bring modern technology and industrial development practices to India. The government also reduced import tariffs, opened up the public sector to private enterprise, and cut back on state spending. The leadership's clarity of vision in goals and decisive actions helped India overcome the economic downturn. Resultantly, the country’s GDP per capita grew to be about $2,300 in 2022 with no IMF program since the 1990s.

Similarly, when Japan was hit by atomic bombs in 1945, around 220,000 people lost their lives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many of the survivors would face deadly diseases like cancer or other terrible side effects from the radiation. Apart from the heavy death toll, the country faced a financial loss of around $55 billion. In spite of such terrible conditions, the Japanese economy recovered at an incredible speed. The recovery was so miraculous that it came to be known as the Japanese Economic Miracle. Although Japan implemented measures like cuts on government expenditure, promoting creative entrepreneurship, clever marketing strategies, and comparatively free global trade, what helped Japan materialize post-war economic growth was its reliance on the good old-fashioned values of quality and diligence.

Unlike other countries in the region, Pakistan is still facing severe hardships. The topmost challenge is the economic crisis, which is visible in the form of a back-breaking inflation rate of more than 25%. Rising inflation is causing a decline in people's purchasing power as the prices of food, fuel, and electricity continue to rise unabatedly. Around 40% of the country's population remains below the poverty line. The economic hardship has resulted in a great deal of discontent and annoyance, which is manifested in ways such as protests, strikes, riots, and acts of violence.

Another challenge is terrorism. Although terror attacks have decreased in number and intensity, terrorism is by no means over. In fact, recent reports show a concerning growth in insurgents' activities and violence. Due to terrorism, thousands of civilians have lost their lives, and foreign direct investment has undergone a steep decline. In fact, Pakistan had to remain on the FATF grey list for four years, i.e., from 2018 to 2022. Not only this, Pakistan also lost its soft diplomacy avenues like tourism and sports, which portray the soft images of any country. To cap it all, Pakistan is losing its grip on its most valuable resource, that is, youth. Given the economic uncertainty and poor law and order situation, a large number of youth look towards foreign countries to make their dreams come true. In 2023 alone, more than 1.62 million people, primarily young men and women, left Pakistan for Gulf and European nations in search of greener pastures. Brain drain at such a massive scale mars the prospects of betterment of the country.

Several reasons can be quoted for Pakistan's hardships; however, political instability, lack of independent policymaking, and rising social insecurity top them all.

To begin with, political instability has been a trademark of Pakistan for decades. Despite the return of democracy in 2008, Pakistan has witnessed the ouster of prime ministers at frequent intervals. Long marches and sit-ins have long kept those in corridors of power preoccupied. Such events have provided governments a reason to shed the burden of their responsibilities and blame their opponents for the declining performance of institutions. Due to the volatile political environment, policies for economic revival have remained inconsistent, and IMF loans have become the norm of the day.

Moreover, policymaking has not remained independent ever since the inception of the country. Pakistan has been used by international powers for their vested interests. Examples include the training of jihadists on Pakistani soil in the 1980s to oust the USSR from Afghanistan and paving the way for the US to invade Afghanistan after 9/11. It is because of these botched policies that Pakistan has been facing extremism, terrorism, and social unrest for years. Finally, democracy seems to have failed to provide social security to the citizens of this country. Despite paying hefty taxes, basic facilities like education and health remain inaccessible to the common man. On the one hand, job opportunities in public sector organizations have reduced sharply. On the other hand, private businesses and freelancing fall victim to electricity and internet outages. In such an insecure environment, the youth feel it convenient to move abroad by hook or by crook.

While the challenges are severe, there is always a silver lining in the cloud. Pakistan can also come out of hard times, and its citizens can enjoy peace and prosperity if democracy is strengthened, prudent policies are formulated and implemented, and youth are prioritized. The most important overarching step among all is solidifying democracy in the country. Democracy thrives when all the pillars of state perform their duties as defined by the constitution and avoid overstepping into each other's domains. Doing so will enable the people of Pakistan to elect leadership that truly represents them.

Next, governments must design prudent policies that are long-term and serve the interests of Pakistan only. In this regard, dialogue should be used as a tool to resolve bilateral and domestic issues such as with India and in Balochistan, respectively. Likewise, ill-conceived agreements such as the ones with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) should also be revised or concluded through dialogue in the interest of the common people of Pakistan. Improvement of the image of Pakistan will bring in FDI and attract global tech giants to invest here. All the above-mentioned steps will help create a sustainable environment for Pakistani youth. Youth will be able to utilize their talents for the socio-economic betterment of all and sundry.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the cyclic nature of life, marked by hardships and ease, is a universal truth that has shaped the destinies of nations throughout history. Pakistan, too, has experienced its share of trials and tribulations, from economic instability to political turmoil. However, the nation's resilience and potential for greatness cannot be underestimated. By strengthening democratic institutions, implementing sound economic policies, and prioritizing the needs of its youth, Pakistan can overcome its current challenges and embark on a path of sustainable development. The country's rich human capital and strategic geographic location offer immense opportunities for growth and prosperity. Nature has promised that with hardships comes ease. But will Pakistan rise to its full potential, or will it continue to be held back by the shackles of the past? The answer lies in the hands of its leaders and its people.