Former FBR chairman Shabbar Zaidi sparked debate after calling Punjab Pakistan’s “most failed province,” claiming agriculture collapse has exposed cosmetic development and economic mismanagement.
WEBDESK – MediaBites News
A fresh political and economic debate erupted in Pakistan after former FBR chairman Shabbar Zaidi sharply criticized Punjab’s development model, calling the province “Pakistan’s most failed province” despite its image of rapid progress.
In widely circulated remarks on social media, Zaidi argued that Punjab’s apparent development is largely “cosmetic,” driven by roads, metros and large infrastructure projects while the province’s real productive economy continues to weaken.
Critics supporting Zaidi’s argument claim Punjab’s traditional agricultural strength has been severely damaged by poor policymaking, mismanagement and politically motivated decisions.
They pointed to the province’s declining wheat and cotton sectors as major examples of economic deterioration.
Punjab, once considered Pakistan’s agricultural backbone and a major wheat supplier for other provinces, is now facing concerns over wheat shortages and farmer distress.
Analysts say controversial government procurement policies, rising fertilizer and diesel costs, expensive electricity and fake seeds have badly affected farmers’ profitability.
Critics also allege that the government’s decision not to purchase wheat at official support prices financially devastated many farmers, forcing some to reduce or abandon wheat cultivation altogether.
Even sharper criticism has emerged regarding Punjab’s cotton sector.
Southern Punjab, historically known as Pakistan’s “cotton belt,” has gradually shifted toward sugarcane cultivation over the past two decades.
Observers claim political influence allowed sugar mills to expand into cotton-growing areas, discouraging cotton farming in favor of sugarcane production.
Pakistan’s cotton production, which once touched nearly 14 million bales annually, has now reportedly fallen to around 4–5 million bales in recent years.
As a result, Pakistan — once a cotton-exporting country — is now forced to import billions of dollars worth of cotton to keep its struggling textile industry operational.
Critics also expressed concern over reports regarding the decline of institutions like the Cotton Research Institute Multan, calling it another sign of weakening agricultural priorities.
Zaidi’s remarks have fueled wider discussions over Punjab’s economic direction, with critics arguing that excessive focus on “visible development” projects ignored agriculture, livestock and industrial productivity — sectors traditionally considered the real drivers of sustainable growth.
Supporters of the Punjab government, however, argue that infrastructure investments improved connectivity, urban mobility and economic activity, while broader agricultural challenges are linked to climate change, water shortages and national economic pressures.
The debate has once again raised a larger question in Pakistan’s political discourse: has Punjab achieved real economic progress, or has development become largely a matter of optics?
38 Comments
Good replie iin retun off tnis quer with firm argumeents annd expolaining alll onn the ttopic oof that.
Feeel frdee to surff tto myy web paqge txxxvideos.com
Hi there, I enmjoy reading all off yoyr artijcle
post. I wabted tto wrire a little comnent tto suppport you.
Stop byy myy bllog post; txxxvideos.com
Dead composed content, Really enjoyed looking through.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
I like this web blog very much so much wonderful information.
It’s best to take part in a contest for top-of-the-line blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
I love your writing style genuinely enjoying this internet site.
I’ve recently started a web site, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
As I site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling excellent , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A small number of my blog readers have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
Hello there, I found your site by way of Google whilst searching for a comparable matter, your website came up, it appears to be like good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hey, you used to write magnificent, but the last several posts have been kinda boringK I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on!
This website can be a walk-via for all of the information you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll definitely uncover it.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
very nice submit, i actually love this website, keep on it
Real clean website , appreciate it for this post.
What i don’t realize is actually how you are not actually much more well-liked than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!
Good website! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist other users like its aided me. Great job.
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i am happy to convey that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to don’t forget this website and give it a look on a constant basis.
Great, I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
You have noted very interesting details! ps nice internet site.
F*ckin’ tremendous things here. I’m very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
I like this web site so much, saved to my bookmarks. “American soldiers must be turned into lambs and eating them is tolerated.” by Muammar Qaddafi.
I enjoy you because of every one of your hard work on this web site. Debby loves setting aside time for investigation and it’s really simple to grasp why. Most of us hear all of the compelling means you produce important suggestions by means of the web site and in addition attract response from people on that point so our own girl has always been becoming educated a lot of things. Have fun with the remaining portion of the new year. You’re the one conducting a wonderful job.
You got a very great website, Sword lily I discovered it through yahoo.
Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
Hiya very cool site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally…I am glad to find numerous helpful info here within the publish, we need work out more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
I’ve read a few just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you place to make the sort of excellent informative website.
I don’t even understand how I stopped up here, however I assumed this put up was good. I do not know who you’re however certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger when you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Someone essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular publish amazing. Great job!
Hello there, I discovered your site by way of Google at the same time as looking for a similar topic, your site came up, it appears to be like good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
hello there and thank you in your information – I’ve certainly picked up something new from right here. I did on the other hand experience some technical points the usage of this website, as I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I may get it to load properly. I had been considering if your web hosting is OK? Now not that I am complaining, however slow loading circumstances instances will very frequently affect your placement in google and could injury your high-quality rating if advertising and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Anyway I am including this RSS to my e-mail and can glance out for a lot extra of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this once more very soon..
It is in reality a great and useful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.