Prof. Dr. Uzma Shujaat
- Extremism
- Economy
- Education
- Population Growth
- Water shortage
Pakistan is on the verge of an ecological disaster if authorities do not urgently address the looming water shortages. Estimates show that by 2025 the country will be facing an ‘absolute scarcity’ of water, with less than 500 cubic meters available per person just one third of the water available in parched Somalia (UN Source).
These are myriad challenges internally faced by Pakistan
Food Security
Rising population (growth) triggers many other crises, including food (security) shortages, energy and resources crises, and disease outbreak.
The challenge and response theory of Toynbee a global historian suggest that “if the challenge falling a civilization, a country or a society is too great as in the artic, then the struggle to survive in the harsh climate leaves no room to develop. Conversely if there is hardly any challenge as in the South Seas where the weather is pleasant all year around and fruit and fish abundant the lack of challenge provides no spur to change. Progress comes out of the crucible of facing and overcoming challenges.
The skepticism abroad and inside labelling the country on the edge of chaos is and was always there. Many time echoes, but reality is different yes challenges persist internally and externally with new challenges like climate change, terrorism.
EU-Pakistan
New political framework, 5 year engagement plan was launched in 2009 till todate this plan provided a framework of cooperation in areas of counter terrorism, trade, development, energy, human rights and democracy the challenges faced by Pakistan.
But the dynamics of relationship between Pakistan and EU after 9/11 was changed actually that event changed the fabric of global politics and compelled global players to revisit and review their strategies while playing a political economic, strategic and cultural chess.
EU is quite unique in the age of transnationalism and interdependence as the era of Pax Economica not only demands economic ties but also the conducive environment like governance, eradication of extremism and consolidation of peace and security. These are key areas of relations between EU and Pakistan. Pakistan was a victim of US doctrine of preemption, paid a huge cost of human, social, economics in the fight against terrorism and in the age of complex interdependence, EU is strong participant in this war against terrorism.
The scheduled EU-Pakistan summit – the first ever – in June 2009 is a positive first step. This is the source of European leverage and would facilitate greater access to Islamabad. Enhancing economic opportunities could also help curb militant violence and reduce the threat emanating from Pakistan. For instance, the EU should continue to restore trade relations and consider ways of including Pakistan in its Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+) scheme – which has the support of the European Parliament – as well as greater access for Pakistan’s exports, which could, in time, lead to talks on a Free Trade Agreement. A boost in trade and investment is not possible without a stable, sincere polity as well as sound state security.
Way Forward
A dynamic foreign policy however, with Pakistan is lesser reliance on China is the need of the hour. We are passing through testing time as Islamabad looks to shed off its debt and aims at reviving its economy through stringent measures proposed by IMF.
On Afghan front through rational decision making Pakistan can balance off various stakeholders in Afghanistan and can ensure inclusive solution. Iran another important if not indispensable aspect of Pakistan’s foreign policy is its relations with its western neighbours 2019 promises a great deal for Pakistan, yet its foreign policy needs to centre on using economics as a tool for building trade relations and play a constructive role in the region as well as in the global community.
What though of future?
The solutions to the country’s problems are self-evident. While population growth needs to be further reduced, there is a youth dividend. Pakistan needs to cash in on its youth dividend by making education top priority.
Pakistan resilience has proved to its strength. On the occasion of 23 March 3 days ahead make a pledge the we are going to strive for bright future. Though Pakistan’s development may have been uneven, the momentum of its 214 million inhabitants whose indomitable spirit has overcome so many challenges, shall always carry it forward.
Prof. Dr. Uzma Shujaat former Director Institute of European studies Karachi University.