FREE ESSAY ON PAKISTAN

PAKISTAN

Pakistan separated from its British Rule in 1947, after separation the country was divided
into two sections east and west. Pakistan borders on the Arabian Sea between India and
Iran on the west. Pakistan's total land mass is an area of 796,095 sq km. Pakistan
consists of fertile plains, hot deserts, valleys, snow clad mountains, almost sky
touching peaks and over 1000 km of coastline. Such a diverse range of physical features
has created a very broad base of differences between various regions in Pakistan. There
are at present 32 distinct languages spoken in Pakistan. Pakistan is a low-income
country, with great promise for growth. Unfortunately, it has been held back from
reaching middle-income status by chronic problems like a rapidly growing population,
sizable government deficits, and a heavy dependence on foreign aid, recurrent
governmental instability and large military expenditures. At current estimates the
population of Pakistan is approximately 144 million. It is presently ranked the fifth
most populous nation in the world, according to United Nations estimates. This
over-population is having some devastating effects on every aspect of its infrastructure.
Massive unemployment, inadequate housing, religious conflict, to increased mortality
rates are just some of the issues that are plaguing Pakistan. This paper will examine
these issues at greater depth.
Pakistan has a current infrastructure that is able to carry approximately 40 million
people. This means that it is only able support twenty seven percent of its current
population. Sixty nine percent of its citizens do not have access to running water, or
sewage facilities, and current illiteracy rates are at sixty seven percent. A huge
majority of the population does not have access to safe clean drinking water. Water
pollution from untreated sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff from
insecticides are issues that must be addressed as soon as possible, in order to prevent
ecological disasters in the future. Pakistan is also heavily dependent on a single export
crop, cotton. Hence the country's fortunes rise and fall with the cotton market. It is no
wonder that there are so many poverty stricken people in Pakistan. When almost half the
population is involved in a very volatile market, a lot of the time, a lot of people will
be burnt by price fluctuations. The country is also subject to the mercy of the weather.
Focusing on a major cash crop means very little diversification. This translates to mass
hunger and hard times for the agricultural sector whenever the agrarian lands are ravaged
by floods, or conversely, by droughts. Even more importantly, Pakistan's agricultural
sector is marked by large landowners, controlling most of the production. Hence, only a
minimal amount of the profit from exports goes to the poor people working for the large
farmers. It is these people who constitute a large portion of Pakistan's population. It
is also these people who are living in abject poverty in the rural regions of the
country, devoid of the right to feed their families. 
Pakistan is expected to reach a population level of 252 million people within the next
fifteen years. The main occupation of Pakistan's residents is agriculturally based. The
chief exports of the country are cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables;
milk, beef, mutton, eggs. Forty percent of Pakistan's population lives below the poverty
line. Many feel that if Pakistan is to advance in today's global markets than it will
have to take a good look at itself in order to make any advancement whatsoever. 
One of the most inhibiting factors to Pakistan advancement is its illiteracy rate. Like
many other Asian countries education is simply inadequate. Using western standards of
what it is to be literate; than it is estimated that less than ten percent of its 144
million individuals would make the grade. This plays an extreme role in how a developing
country advances into today's growing global economy. The main reason for Pakistan
education problem is due to insufficient dollars to invest into education. While
government officials claim that education is Pakistan's new main concern this is simply
inaccurate. Pakistan cannot afford to provide a 12-year education system similar to that
of the western culture for every one of its children. Despite this governments however
have pledged to try to create opportunities for everyone to go to school. The government
says 71 percent of children age 5 and up presently attending a primary school. However
upon closer examination it has been found that many of these schools in rural areas are
not being used for education at all. One such incident found that a wealthy land owner in
a rural area was using the school for a liquor manufacturing plant. 
With plans in the works for new schools, "an estimated 200 this year alone" the
government is claiming that there are massive plans to significantly increase the levels
of education as well as reducing level of disparity between men and women. 
Women's rights have long been a global issue when it comes to Pakistan. In this culture
women have been given a lower social status than that of men. Women are the primary food
producers in Pakistan. They represent over fifty four percent of the population, yet most
lack any formal education. Education that could aid them in increasing food production,
which in turn translates to increased efficiency. Once again, this all ties into the
powerlessness, that marks the hunger and poverty-stricken. Without the ability to receive
an education or to vote, how can the country be expected to progress? Even less has been
done regarding the issue of violence against women.
Domestic violence is perhaps one of the country's most pervasive violations of human
rights, Government officials dismiss any thoughts that domestic violence is factor in
society, and if it is then it's certainly not an issue for the government to be involved
with. Crimes against women are practically non-existent. This is an issue that cannot be
ignored any longer by the government. The problem of violence against women must be
urgently and systematically tackled by whatever government comes to power in Pakistan.
Those who attempt to receive retribution through judicial procedures system are felt
feeling even more victimized by the system then from there attackers. Domestic violence
is routinely dismissed by law enforcement authorities as a private dispute and female
victims who attempt to register a police complaint of spousal or familial physical abuse
are invariably turned away. Worse, they are regularly advised and sometimes pressured by
the police to reconcile with their abusive spouses or relatives.
Those who report rape or sexual assault by strangers fare marginally better than victims
of domestic violence. Victims who are persistent and determined sometimes succeed in
registering complaints. However, reflecting the institutionalized gender bias that
pervades the criminal justice system, women alleging rape are often disbelieved and
treated with disrespect, indeed harassed outright, by officials at all levels. They must
contend with abusive police, forensic doctors who focus on their virginity status instead
of their injuries, untrained prosecutors, skeptical judges
Human Rights activists in Pakistan have called for the criminalization of all forms of
domestic and familial violence against women and the establishment of clear guidelines
for police intervention and protection in such cases. There should also be a repeal of
Pakistan's rape law, which allows marital rape, does not establish the crime of statutory
rape, and which in some cases does not permit the female victim to testify. 
MARRIAGES
Another significant aspect of the daily life is that of family. Closely related to
religion, marriages in Pakistan, in all the four provinces are arranged. The groom's
relatives visit the girl's house and offer the proposal. If the proposal is accepted the
mangni takes place, it is known as Sangoabandhi or engagement. Mangnis of Punjab and the
Frontier are Mangnoo of Sind. When the marriage date is fixed, the groom, with friends
and relatives, goes to the house of the bride where the Nikah is performed and the dower
money fixed. Nikah is performed by Nikah Registrar and is recorded on a legal Performa
singed by both the parties. This is followed by Walima. In Sindh the groom stays in the
bride's house for a night where as in other provinces, he leaves with the Doli of the
bride after the Nikah. It is the family structure and lack of education that has lead to
increased fertility rates.
Fertility Rates
Pakistan has shown strong resistance to change when it comes to birth rates. During the
early 1960s a national policy was introduced to attempt to curtail this growing problem.
Known as the Family Planning Service This program however has had little or no affect
whatsoever on the current birth rate in Pakistan. Current indicators point that only 18%
of all Pakistan women are using contraceptive methods. Recognizing the need to provide
better services, the Family Planning Association of Pakistan developed the concept of the
Family Health Hospital, for women and their families providing primary reproductive
health care and referral to specialized services. There have been eleven of these family
health hospitals. They provide services for everyone within a 50 Km region. It was
believed women would benefit directly if these services were provided and the overall
welfare of the family would also improve. Although effective in some areas this program
for the most part has been plagued with corruption, mismanagement and in general offering
poor services to its cliental. The average women in continues to be approximately five
births per woman. It has only been since the 1990s that methods of contraception have
begun to take hold. Contraceptive use rose much more rapidly in the urban areas, many
feel due to education levels in the city versus the rural area. Many claim that the
program is beginning to have an impact yet it will take years to see the spreading of
these ideas into rural Pakistan. Considering that only 33 percent of Pakistan's
population lives in urban areas it will take some time to slow the rapidly growing
population. One issue that the Family program has not addressed is that of abortion. In
rural areas abortion is the most commonly used method of birth control in Pakistan.
Despite recent changes in the fertility rate, change is not coming quickly enough. 
During the 1950s and 60s the rate of growth in economic terms as well as population
increased significantly. Technical advancements such as the "green Revolution" increased
food production, as well as medical advancements which lead to increased life
expectancies. While these advancements have slowed, the rate at which the population is
growing has not. With a growing rural population many peasants are migrating to the
cities, leading to over-urbanization. Massive unemployment levels and a larger percentage
of poverty are important issues that must be addressed. Wages for unskilled laborers
continue to decline yet the amount of unskilled workers continues to rise. Broad economic
and social changes in Pakistan have shed new light on how its fertility rate, which is
affecting every aspect of this nation. Yet change may be coming too slowly. 
Religion 
Perhaps the most important aspect of life for the average citizen of Pakistan is that of
religion. Religion is actually how Pakistan came into existence. Ninety eight percent of
its population consists of Muslims. The basics of this religion are very clear. There is
only one God and He is the creator of all the things. The prophet Muhammad was sent in
the world to convey the message of the God to people. The Prophet Muhammad is the most
significant figures for a Muslim. It is only trough his teachings that Islam spread from
Spain to India. The Quran "Islam's Holy Book" teaches the philosophy of how to live for
Islam. It is seen as the book of guidance for a Muslim. Religion plays a very active role
in the lives of Pakistanis and Islam affects every aspect of society. Women in Islam are
made to cover their bodies according to religious teachings. Islam is the official
religion of Pakistan but there are many other religions which are an important part of
daily life. Some of the other major religions in Pakistan are Christianity as well as
Hindus, and Buddhists. The freedom of worship is one of the most important aspects of
Islamic law. 
This paper has examined some of the many complex issues regarding Pakistan as a growing
nation. While I found it quite difficult to find specific data on hospital, crime rates,
and social safety nets that may be in place for Pakistan. I also was hoping to look at
such issues as political corruption, as well as the exploitation of the poor. Yet it
seems that there have been many studies looking at its cultural, religious and economic
makeup of this perhaps prosperous country. It is unlikely that Pakistan will be able to
adapt quickly enough, due to deep religious convictions, and a clear lack of education in
how to push this country ahead in the worlds economy.
Bibliography
Bibliography 
1 D.N. Wilber et al., Pakistan: Its People, Its Society, Its Culture. New Haven: HRAF
Press, 1964 (DS 379.w5)
2 R.D. Stevens et al. (eds.), Rural Development in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Honolulu:
University Press of Hawaii, 1976(HN 690.6 .A8 R87)
3 S.M.H. Zaidi, The Village Culture In Transition. Honolulu: East-West Center, 1970 (HN
690)
4 W.H. Wriggings (ed.), Pakistan in Transition. Islamabad: University of Islamabad Press,
1975 (HN 690.5 .A8 P24)
5 http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pk.html Cia World Fact-book