Our national degeneration after late 70s

Pakistan's decline since the 1970s is linked to compromised merit, corruption, and poor governance.

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The period between 1960s and late 1970s is referred to as the 'golden era' of Pakistan. But what followed was a progressive decline in literally all spheres - economic, political, social, cultural, etc - of our national life.

Our national institutions are deteriorating. Till the 1970s, PIA was the pride of Pakistan. Other institutions like Steel Mills and Pakistan Railways were a source of inspiration and a role model for the outside world. But now they all stand as a liability. During 1960s, Pakistan excelled in economic growth rate; per capita income; and the currency value. But all these economic indicators witnessed a decline from 1980s onwards. The surge in foreign loans and heavy reliance on international financial institutions aggravated Pakistan's economic predicament. Till late 1970s, Pakistani passport's rating was far better so much so that several First World countries offered visa-free access. Not anymore!

There were times when countries like South Korea and Singapore considered Pakistan as role model in industrialisation and economic growth. Karachi airport was once a hub of international flights and PIA was the first non-communist airline to fly to Peking. The airlines like Emirates, Gulf Air and Singapore Airlines which were raised with the help of Pakistani experts now excel in aviation industry, and our national carrier PIA is not even able to find any takers for its privatisation. There are countless other examples of our decline in key areas of progress and development since the late 1970s.

One should analyse what was so special in the first three decades of Pakistan even though it was a time when the country had to cope with the partition-related issues; fought wars in 1948, 1965 and 1971; and had to brace itself with the trauma of the breakup in 1971. Even when the country experienced imposition of martial law in 1958, 1969 and 1977 and suffered from periodic political crises, it managed to run its national institutions smoothly. Signs of degeneration in the various spheres of national life had begun to appear after the country's disintegration in December 1971 and the imposition of the country's longest martial law in July 1977, but the country somehow managed to run its national institutions with relative success. Pakistani passport still enjoyed some reputation till late 1970s as developed countries like Britain and Singapore as well as several far eastern countries offered visa-free or visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistani nationals. In 2024, Pakistani passport is only better than those of Afghanistan and Somalia.

How has a country - which, because of its vibrant economy and its planning and development, served as a role model for countries like South Korea and Singapore - degenerated massively, witnessing a decline in all economic indicators and is saddled with unmanageable foreign debt? Why has Pakistan's population reached 240 million as against Bangladesh's 140 million even though each was about 70 million-strong at the time of separation in 1971? Why has our literacy rate - which should have been reached 90% during the 77 years of its existence - is still hovering around 60%, with a very poor ratio of female literacy particularly in its rural areas? How could India - which was far behind Pakistan till late 1970s in key economic indicators - have become world's fifth largest economy, having foreign exchange reserves worth $750 billion, as against Pakistan $11 billion or so? Bangladesh, which was termed the world's basket with a hole by Dr Henry Kissinger, is now faring better than Pakistan.

One needs to analyse why Pakistan has degenerated since late 1970s and how it can move on. Three major reasons contributed to this fall from our golden era of 1960s and 1970s.

First, as long as merit, integrity, hard work and intelligence were the hallmark of work ethics in Pakistan, things were better; but after the breakup of the country in 1971 and nationalisation of heavy industries, educational institutions, banks and insurance companies by then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, degeneration in work ethics became a reality. When appointments are made on personal and political grounds, it only results in gradual erosion of work ethics. Even then, it took another decade or so for PIA, Steel Mills and Railways to start running into losses. Competence and integrity were compromised since 1972 onwards, and the outcome of political appointments and genocide of merit started appearing during 1980s onwards. When in the name of roti, kapra aur makan and Islamisation, the regimes of ZA Bhutto and Zia-ul-Haq compromised on merit, national institutions began to degenerate. The implications of a culture of greed, corruption, nepotism, violence and terrorism were bound to be seen in bad governance, absence of rule of law and lack of accountability.

Second, till the time the generation that created Pakistan was at the helm of affairs, the country was on the right track. But when ethnic and lingual considerations became the criteria for appointments and promotions, the result was erosion of merit and decline of national institutions. Quota system in jobs and neglect of merit in admission to educational institutions also frustrated the youths which led to a brain drain from the country. When the generation that created Pakistan lost its hold over power and was replaced mostly by those appointed based on nepotism, it caused devastation of caliber, efficiency and integrity at workplace. The erosion of work ethics and values not only affected the standard of national institutions but also led to the permeation of corruption and nepotism. Absence of proper work environment and lack of accountability led to decline in the performance of PIA, Steel Mills and Railways.

Third, in 1960s and 1970s Pakistan was far better in terms of the performance of its national institutions, but things got unmanageable as people with low caliber were appointed on the positions of power and authority. When the distinction between right and wrong disappeared and those at the helm also compromised on merit, the outcome was a sharp decline in the economy, rule of law and governance.

Till late 1970s the focus was on better management and accountability of national institutions but then a corrupt leadership emerged, which led to the degeneration of state institutions. Now, only a leadership which is honest, hardworking, intelligent, visionary, democratic and egalitarian can save Pakistan from plunging deeper into the mess of failing economy and poor governance.