The APSUS Pakistan report re­veals a startling statistic: 95% of Pakistanis fear unemployment due to the nation’s deteriorating con­ditions. With a labour force of 71.8 million and 4.5 million unemployed, the country faces a growing crisis, particularly for women, whose un­employment rate stands at 14.4% compared to 10% for men.

Pakistan’s youth, a majority of the population, is disproportion­ately affected. A lack of opportu­nities forces many to seek work abroad. In just the first six months of this year, 700,000 individuals left the country, with projections reaching 1.5 million by year’s end—a dangerous brain drain.

Corruption and incompetence have left Pakistan’s institutions in disarray. The country’s laws have lost their authority, and its eco­nomic policies are dictated by IMF conditions. The energy sector alone recorded losses of ₹304 billion last year. Railways, PIA, and Pakistan Steel Mills are among the many fail­ing government enterprises.

The government continues to prioritise luxuries over public wel­fare. While ordinary citizens face inflation and unemployment, ex­travagant spending on luxury ve­hicles for officials highlights mis­placed priorities. The Punjab government’s decision to purchase 76 luxury cars for ₹612.4 million is a glaring example.

To address the crisis, it is imper­ative for the government to cut non-developmental expenditures, tackle corruption, and prioritise public welfare. The nation’s sta­bility depends on bridging divi­sions and implementing sustain­able economic policies. Until such steps are taken, the country’s challenges will only deepen.

MUHAMMAD IMRAN-UL-HAQ,

Lahore.