December-24

The year 2024 stands out as a chapter of fragility in Pakistan’s political and development progress.

Through a system of predatory loans and manipulated debts, workers from marginalized communities are trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation. Although laws exist to prevent this practice, weak enforcement and deep-rooted social inequalities allow this modern form of slavery to persist, hampering both human rights and national development.

Fiscal policy across the world has proven its potential towards improving equity. However, in Pakistan, the miniscule share of direct taxation in the total tax revenue – coupled with limited effort by the government to turn the situation around – has worsened income inequality.

In an era where digital rights are increasingly viewed as fundamental human rights, Pakistan’s repeated internet shutdowns place it at odds with global democratic norms.

With rapid population growth, urbanization, and industrialization in Pakistan, the challenges in solid waste management and their impact on the ecosystem, environment, and people are aggravating.