[Marxism] Understanding the root causes of problems in Pakistan

[Nasir Khan <naskha3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Understanding the root causes of problems in Pakistan
by Zafar Bangash | Media Monitors Network, June 5, 2009

For a state and society to function smoothly, some basic services must
be provided to its citizens: security, decent education, access to
healthcare, prospects of a reasonable job and sound economy.
Participation in the political process as well as justice are other
important considerations for peace and tranquility. Judged by these
criteria, Pakistan falls short on each of these requirements. This is
not to suggest that there is no security for anyone or that nobody is
making money; a tiny minority is making huge amounts of money
sharpening differences in society even further. The ruling elites will
even point to the fact that only last March, the activist Chief
Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was reinstated after
an 18-month struggle led by lawyers and the civil society. So what
precisely is the problem and why is Pakistan gripped by an endless
series of crises the latest of which has been described by some as an
“existential threat”?

Pakistan is not one but several societies in which people of diverse
backgrounds, ethnicity and languages reside. This is not unique to
Pakistan; neighboring India is far more diverse with a cacophony of
languages spoken by people of different religions and backgrounds yet
it does not face the kinds of problems confronting Pakistan. Why?
Pakistan’s divisions are not merely because of ethnicity although this
is a contributing factor. It is a society deeply polarized along class
lines. Most privileges and facilities are reserved for the tiny ruling
minority while the overwhelming majority languishes in poverty and
deprivation.

Full article: 
http://nasir-khan.blogspot.com/2009/06/understanding-root-causes-of-problems.html

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