- By: Aamir Zia Major (R)
Nations, like individuals, pass through phases of growth. Some mature early, others take longer to find their balance. Pakistan, still feels like a fledgling trying to stretch its wings. The reason is not lack of potential we are rich in human talent, natural resources, and strategic significance,rather, it is our inability to nurture this potential through stability, sincerity, and planning.
We seem to live in a permanent state of emergency. From devastating floods to earthquakes, from political upheavals to security challenges, the country has often been tested beyond measure. Yet, many of the so-called existential threats are not imposed from outside but are the outcome of misplaced priorities. More than 42% of our population still lives below the poverty line, and nearly 40% of children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition. Almost a third of our school-age children remain out of classrooms. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s political stability index lingers near the lowest percentile globally, underlining our struggle to provide consistent governance. Transparency International’s 2024 report placed Pakistan at 27 out of 100 on the corruption index, far below the world average.
Despite these challenges, the horizon is not without promise. Vision 2025 and the recently launched Uraan Pakistan plan set ambitious but necessary targets universal primary education, halving poverty, doubling exports, and expanding investment in technology and youth employment. International partners such as the World Bank have pledged long-term support, including a $20 billion package aimed at helping Pakistan invest in education, healthcare, and climate resilience.
What remains essential is our own resolve. History shows that nations are not built by rhetoric but by consistent policy, equitable resource allocation, and honest implementation. Hollow applause and pseudo-heroism will not take us far. What we need instead is a unifying national narrative one that binds diverse factions together, not in opposition but in shared purpose.
If nurtured with sincerity, wisdom, and accountability, the fledgling spirit of Pakistan can indeed grow into full maturity. The protection of our people and the progress of our nation need not remain an illusion. With collective resolve, we can turn it into a living reality.
The writer is a student of current affairs and International relations. He can be approached via email: anuhkaf@gmail.com