M.Ameer Hamza
Overpopulation has long been identified as a significant global issue, often associated with strain on resources, environmental degradation, and economic instability. However, in the case of Pakistan, it is crucial to recognize that overpopulation is not the core problem. Instead, the country faces significant challenges related to corruption and injustice, which overshadow the impact of population size. By addressing these underlying issues, Pakistan can work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
The term “overpopulation” refers to the accumulation of too many people in a given area, resulting in economic and social problems. Pakistan’s population was 240,485,658, up 1.88% from 2022. Pakistan’s population was 235,824,862, up 1.91% from 2021, according to the Council of Common Interest (CCI). The results of the 2023 digital census were “unanimously” accepted on august 5th, 2023. According to the census results, Pakistan’s population has increased to 241.49 million with a annual growth rate of 2.55%.
In recent months, reports of corruption and injustice within government agencies have raised serious concerns about the integrity of public institutions. From bribery and embezzlement to abuse of power and lack of accountability, the scourge of corruption and injustice appears to be undermining public trust and confidence in the government.
Corruption has deeply entrenched itself in various aspects of Pakistani society, permeating government institutions, business transactions, and public services. It erodes trust in the public sector, stifles economic growth, and perpetuates inequality. In a corrupt system, resources are often misallocated, hindering the potential for sustainable development. As a result, the true impact of overpopulation is obscured by the ramifications of systemic corruption.
According to Transparency International : Pakistan is the 133 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, according to the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Rank in Pakistan averaged 113.04 from 1995 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 144.00 in 2005 and a record low of 39.00 in 1995. Pakistan’s buzzwords for 2018 were corruption and “accountability.” Nawaz Sharif was found guilty of two corruption charges. On July 6, Nawaz was found guilty of owning assets that were beyond the scope of his knowledge of the law, while his daughter Maryam Nawaz was sentenced to seven years in prison for abandonment.
Maryam’s husband, a retired captain Mohammad Safdar, was sentenced to a year in prison for non-cooperation with nab and abetting his wife and father-in-law. Nawaz, on the other hand, was convicted of another offence in December by the accountability court, this time in the Al-Azizia steel mills corruption case, bringing him back to prison. The court found him guilty of possessing more money than his means, imposing a seven-year jail term as well as a us $25 million fine. In the rs14 billion Ashiana Iqbal Housing Society corruption lawsuit, NAB snared the Younger Sharif, who held the prominent positions of PML-n president and leader of the opposition in the parliament.
In a fake bank accounts lawsuit dating back to 2015, former chairman of the Pakistan stock exchange Hussain Lawai, who is widely believed to be a close aide to former president Asif Ail Zardari, was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA in July). Following a supreme court decision in a case involving the housing projects, Malik Riaz’s Bahria town is being investigated in other investigations; in may, nab chairman retired justice Javed Iqbal ordered the anti-graft watchdog to launch investigations against Bahria town Karachi, Bahria town Lahore, and Bahria town Rawalpindi.
Every one know that a corruption lawsuit against retired army officers, which Sharjeel Memon’s detention last year was just as interesting to watch as the ‘honey and oil’ mystery surrounding him during his 2018 detention. Former prime minister Yousef Raza Gilani was charged with corruption in the years-old multi-billion dollar Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) corruption lawsuit in march. Two other former prime ministers, Nawaz Sharif and shahid Khaqan Abbasi, were investigated by nab for alleged power abuse by granting a contract for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to 15 different companies of their choice.
Similarly, injustice, both economic and social, exacerbates the challenges faced by Pakistan. Economic inequality limits access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization. The consequences of corruption and injustice within government agencies are far-reaching, affecting not only the allocation of public resources but also the lives of ordinary citizens who rely on these institutions for essential services. When funds meant for vital public projects are siphoned off through corrupt practices, it is the communities in need that suffer the most. Similarly, when individuals are denied opportunities or treated unfairly due to systemic injustice, the social fabric of the nation is torn apart, leading to further divisions and unrest.
Injustice and abuse of power have also come to light. A recent investigation revealed a pattern of discriminatory practices within a government agency, resulting in the unfair treatment of certain individuals based on their race, gender, or political affiliation. Such systemic injustice scale for adhering to the rule of law, which is by no means acceptable. Regional Rank is 5/6 and overall score is 0.38. not only violates basic principles of equality and fairness but also erodes the public’s confidence in the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. The Noor Muqaddam case in Islamabad, the horrific murder of a 27-year-old girl used to be announced on July 2021. As the facts became known, Zahir Jaffer, the son of a wealthy businessman and a buddy of the victim, became the killer. In Pakistan’s criminal justice system, conventional capability (such as blood money) have been used to defend the accused from courtroom action.
Article 25 of Pakistan’s constitution guarantees equality before the rule. However, Pakistan’s criminal justice system is in no way intended to provide justice to those at the lower levels of the hierarchy. Justice is at the top of the game; many victims are unable to file a complaint. If they succeed in doing so, the vicious cycle of court hearings and court trials undermines their faith in the criminal justice system.
The role of the media in exposing and shedding light on corruption and injustice cannot be understated. Investigative journalists have played a crucial role in unearthing cases of malfeasance and shining a spotlight on the perpetrators. The power of public scrutiny and accountability through the press has been instrumental in holding government agencies to a higher standard and demanding swift action to rectify the wrongs that have been committed.
The fight against corruption and injustice within government agencies is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders. It is essential for citizens to remain vigilant and hold their elected representatives and public servants accountable for their actions.
A country like China would be starving if overpopulation were a barrier to growth. We have come to the conclusion that it’s not overpopulation that plagues Pakistan; the true hurdles are Corruption and Injustice.