Despite rising diplomatic visibility and renewed hopes of foreign investment after the US-Iran peace breakthrough, Pakistan’s deep-rooted economic challenges, debt burden and governance crisis continue to cast a shadow over public optimism.
Courtesy: BBC Urdu
Veteran journalist and analyst Wusatullah Khan has raised hard-hitting questions about Pakistan’s economic direction, arguing that while the country may have gained diplomatic recognition and strategic relevance, ordinary citizens are still waiting for real economic relief.
In a detailed commentary, Khan wrote that nearly 43% of Pakistan’s annual earnings are consumed by debt servicing, while the remaining resources are largely spent on defence, administrative expenses and elite privileges. Whatever remains is distributed through development budgets, which often benefit contractors and political interests rather than the public.
He criticised the country’s governance model, saying the system has been structured to protect privileged groups while ordinary citizens continue to struggle with inflation, poverty and limited opportunities.
Referring to Pakistan’s long relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Khan noted that successive governments since 1958 have promised to break free from dependence on foreign loans, yet the country continues to return to Washington for financial assistance.
At the same time, he acknowledged that Pakistan’s international standing appears to have improved following its reported diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran. According to the commentary, the establishment believes this growing global recognition could attract foreign investment and accelerate regional projects such as the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and trade links with Central Asia.
However, Khan questioned whether such geopolitical gains would truly improve the lives of ordinary Pakistanis.
He pointed out that Pakistan has repeatedly benefited from international events and alliances — including the Korean War boom, the Cold War, the Afghan war, post-9/11 cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — but asked why these opportunities failed to translate into long-term prosperity in education, healthcare or economic stability.
“Good news about missiles and military achievements may comfort the mind, but they do not fill empty stomachs,” he wrote.
The commentary also criticised the concentration of power and resources, arguing that economic growth has remained sluggish while poverty continues to rise. Khan said literacy, healthcare and social welfare indicators remain weak despite decades of foreign aid, loans and strategic partnerships.
Ending on a reflective note, he questioned the promise repeated across generations that “times never stay the same,” saying many Pakistanis are still waiting for that change to arrive.
