In the Explanation
Explanation:
History of growth in Pakistan is patchy.
GDP growth rate remained near 7% during 1958–68.
Then Pakistan faced debacle of East Pakistan. It was the failure of the political system that we remained unable to resolve political differences by dialogue.
From the day one, Pakistan faced real or projected existential threat. Leaders from India like Patel prophesied that Pakistan wouldn’t withstand the looming catastrophic challenges to her economy, defence and internal linguistic & political differences.
Water from Eastern Rivers was stopped from headworks situated in India. Pakistan was put to face starvation. Pakistan lost Quaid e Azam the visionary leader and his successors were not competent enough to steer the ship.
Constitution couldn’t be framed until 1956 and basic issues of Provincial Autonomy and national language couldn’t be resolved. Pakistan had no industrial base and faced severe food shortages and essential commodities. Around eight million refugees were in camps with no assets and livelihood.
Gradually Pakistan rose from shambles. GDP growth rate remained fluctuating and especially from 1970 onward till 2020 Pakistan’s GDP growth remained much lowere than India, China, Korea, Vietnam etc and even Bangladesh.
PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC GROWTH 1972-2010
Pakistan’s average annual real GDP Growth in the period 1972 to 2010 is about 5.2 percent by contrast the average annual real GDP growth in the period 1980 to 2008 was 9.9 percent for China and 6.4 percent for India.
Pakistan’s Real GDP Growth Rates and Net Current Account as Percentage of GDP
Democratic values couldn’t gain foot. USA always encouraged dictatorships in Pakistan whenever there was a political and strategic expediencies in the region. To use Pakistan’s strategic location to defeat Russia in Afghanistan and contain communism in Cold War era USA encouraged dictatorships in Pakistan to deal affairs with one man and make Army to Army collaboration easy and smooth.
But it is very strange to note that in the eras of three dictatorships Ayyoub 1958–59, Zia-Ul-Haq 1977–88 and Parwaiz Musharraf1999–2008 the growth rate remained around 7%. In democratic eras, it never rose above 5% rather it always remained less than 5%. Pakistan’s history is very strange and full of mysteries. It is a history of successes and failures.
We had a very strong inimical neighbour India. India always tried to put Pakistan in troubles. Instead of creating cordial relationships, India always depicted Pakistan as a rouge state forgetting that with such an inimical neighbourhood, India can’t reach the status of really welfare state. Pakistan, India and Bangladesh can do miracles. They had the potential much more than China. China was a poor country in 1947. If Pakistan couldn’t gain the full benefits of her resources, India is much behind her actual potential.
It is an era of friendships and trade. China, India, Pakistan with other South & South Eastern countries in Asia can lead the world if they stop playing in the hands of USA. If Pakistan was wrong to stand with USA, how India would be considered on the right side gain benefits for playing a subordinate role in India-Pacific Policy of USA. I have stated more than five reasons. In short:
1: We couldn’t resolve our issue of Provincial Autonomy and national language.
2: We couldn’t establish real democratic, participative and inclusive institutions
3: We couldn’t revamp our educational institutions to impart modern, scientific and innovative approach.
4: We spent much less to improve our human resource and couldn’t understand that a refined human resource earns much more than an ailing and illiterate person.
Yes, Pakistan has the potential but we are sluggish and lazy people to grab this opportunity. CPEC is a game changer. Pakistan must relocate Chinese industrial concerns at proposed eight Special Economic and Industrial Zones( SEIZs) on or near to CPEC. Pakistanis Governments failed criminally to expedite the establishment of these zones. Pakistan’s bureaucracy couldn’t resolve this complex issue. Identification of suitable industries that China will relocate, provision of requisite infrastructure and civic amenities, training of efficient man power especially youth without employment and which would require are challenges which we couldn’t resolve.
CPEC will be very useful for India as well. Pakistan provides land link to CARs& Afghanistan which are rich in energy resources India need badly. Without cheap energy resources, India can’t attain sustainable development goals.
Yes, Pakistan couldn’t rise to occasion like other similar countries. No plausible defence for it. No reason other than our laziness and sluggishness, lack of visionary leadership, perfect strategy and planning. But there is a silent resurrection. Pakistanis feel they are not where they should have been there. Destination is affront. Target is obvious. Dreams are vivid.
