We often compare our country to other developed nations and tend to feel disheartened, convincing ourselves that we are among the world’s least successful nations. These discussions often rely on baseless assumptions, diverting us from reality and hindering a deep understanding of the real issues at hand.
To make progress in this conversation, let’s consider some fundamental questions that can help us unravel this persistent state of crisis. Why does our nation struggle to achieve prosperity? Why do we lack cooperation, tolerance, fairness, and dignity? Why are we unable to produce effective leaders? Why is our social consciousness lacking? Why do we lack a goal-oriented approach? Why do we resist change? Why are we perpetually in a state of crisis? Why do we lack leaders who prioritize the right objectives?
The answer to all these questions ultimately boils down to the absence of a robust civil society in our way of life. This gap has created a significant void that can only be filled by civil society. It would require a separate discussion to fully understand how civil society contributes to nation-building. However, here, we must emphasize the importance of civil society and its potential to address the challenges highlighted in these questions. When we examine the government and civil society in Pakistan, we observe a substantial disparity between their influences. As government policies often do not align with the priorities of civil society, where the core interests of the public lie. This disconnects stems from a lack of social consciousness and its essential role in our society. Our policies have historically favored the elite, deepening their influence, while our civil society has remained fragile since its inception and is now at risk of disappearing.
In contrast, in developed nations, the participation of civil society in overall state performance shows no such disparity between governmental role and civil society involvement. Therefore, it is imperative to understand that without a strong civil society, we cannot achieve meaningful transformation in the right direction. Civil society has the potential to raise the living standards of our citizens and ensure policy implementation that genuinely serves the people’s interests rather than adequate to the motives of the elite.
A strong civil society is the antidote to Pakistan’s persistent shortcomings. If we can establish a strong civil society, it will undoubtedly raise social standards and facilitate the implementation of policies that prioritize the public good over elite interests. Additionally, civil society can nurture high-caliber leaders dedicated to making genuine change in our realm, by consistently choosing the nation’s best interests at the right time. Nation-building is a long and complex process, civil society playing a central role in this journey.
