Public Awareness

The state has done nothing for me except issue an ID card, for which they even charged me. I have to pay for my own security, cleanliness, healthcare, and education. Nowadays, we also have to buy gas cylinders, solar power for electricity, and clean drinking water ourselves. So, what does the state collect taxes for? Our tax money is being squandered on the salaries of our so-called defenders, who instead of protecting us, pose a threat. The government uses these forces to intimidate the public, forcing us to accept every unjust decision and silencing any opposition.  In a recent speech, Ata Tarrar of PMLN took the government's threats to a new low, declaring that they will block the ID cards of those who refuse to comply. This is nothing short of an outrageous abuse of power. The state, which should be serving the people, is instead bullying and coercing them into submission. They’ve done nothing for the people but exploit them. They extort money for basic necessities, force us to...

The citizens of Pakistan are facing continuous outages of social media applications including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. People are suffering due to this outage, as they are unable to upload media files while connected to mobile data. However, voice messages and video files can still be sent and viewed through broadband Wi-Fi connections at home or in the office. The telecom regulator, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has not issued any statement on the issue, and cellular mobile operators (CMOs) also claim they have not received any complaints. There has been no statement or notification from the government regarding the blockage of social media. This uninformed outage is essentially due to the ongoing filtration and monitoring setup implemented at the instruction of the current government. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has a history of tapping phones and leaking audio calls of opponents. This time, PMLN plans to completely take over the internet ...

Pakistan stands out as one of the most resource-rich nations in the international political economy. The country is renowned for its diverse climate, featuring four distinct seasons, and its varied geographical landscape. Notably, Pakistan is abundant in minerals and metals, a factor that significantly enhances its standing in the global market. This rich geography not only attracts a substantial number of tourists but also facilitates industries such as metallurgy and mineral extraction. Despite this wealth of resources, Pakistan’s mineral sector contributes a surprisingly modest share to its GDP, generally estimated to be around 2.5% to 3%. This figure falls short of the sector's potential, especially considering Pakistan’s extensive reserves of copper, gold, coal, and other valuable minerals. Economic powerhouses like China are keen to invest in Pakistan, drawn by the potential profits from its natural wealth and the opportunity to shift energy investments from coal to renewable...

Before discussing the accomplishments of Maryam Nawaz in her first 100 days, let me remind you of an old story that almost everyone has heard in their childhood. In the forest, there was a strong friendship between a lion and a monkey. The lion not only made the monkey the Chief Minister of all the animals but also entrusted him with all the responsibilities and powers. The monkey started to consider himself the king, walking around the forest like a monarch and giving commands to everyone. One day, a fight broke out between a bear and a deer. The bear caught the deer’s child and ran away. The crying deer approached the monkey seeking help and justice. The monkey listened to the deer’s story and then began jumping from tree to tree. As the deer cried for help, the monkey jumped faster. Despite the monkey’s frantic jumping, the bear killed and ate the deer’s child. In the end, the deer cried out to the sky, saying that no one had helped her. The monkey, hearing this, angrily came down f...

According to recent budget announcements, it has been confirmed that the current government is incapable. This appointed government lacks vision and does not possess the necessary literacy to analyze and prepare a budget that supports economic development. Given Pakistan's existing economic crisis, this government relies heavily on foreign aid and loans to sustain itself and provide subsidized benefits to government officials, forces, and authorities. This directionless government has crafted a budget that threatens to exacerbate poverty, leaving the poor to suffer from hunger while further enriching the wealthy. Let's examine the key points of the 2024-25 budget: An additional Federal Excise Duty (FED) of Rs1,000 per ton has been imposed on cement, increasing the total FED to Rs3,000 per ton on dispatched cement. This will raise construction costs and increase expenses for development projects. Sales tax exemptions totaling Rs30 billion from the health sector and Rs47 billion ...