Country’s political system deeply flawed, says Dr Ishrat Husain

Former State Bank of Pakistan governor Dr Ishrat Husain emphasised on Saturday that the country could not move forward until there was a sense of service and commitment.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Pakistan Women's Foundation for Peace (PWFFP) in connection with its Women's Day 2025.

Dr Husain said that in 1990, India's per capita income was 40 per cent lower than Pakistan's. However, he noted that since then, Pakistan's economic situation had deteriorated. He attributed this decline to governance issues and weakening institutions.

"We had a sense of commitment that we are doing this for the country but today, the mindset has shifted to personal gain—what's in it for me, how can I benefit my family and friends—regardless of where the country is headed," he said.

He highlighted that the constituency politics focused on keeping voters happy. "I said in the reform package that no appointment or transfer and postings would be made except on merit. However, this is unacceptable to them," he pointed out.

"Funds for development projects are handed over to them [lawmakers] without any accountability. The idea of allocating these funds to elected local governments is also something they refuse to accept."

In constituency politics, the economist said that the priority was winning elections by keeping one's voters happy, regardless of where the country was headed. He lamented that the country's political system was deeply flawed.

Nargis Rehman, the PWFFP chairperson, said: "When one reviews the global reports on gender parity, especially the recognised World Economic Forum's report based on the four indicators of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, we are shocked to find that we hold the ignominious rank of 145th out of 146th countries."

She added that this ranking had been consistent over a long period starting from 2007. "Most of us living in Karachi's affluent urban spaces are reluctant to accept this ranking but those who work in the formal professional world will fully acknowledge its veracity."

She said a woman had to work thrice as hard as her male counterpart to hold her position. "The paradox is that even in a patriarchal macho culture, a recent study showed that women were regarded as more intelligent than men in the classroom, and definitely more diligent securing top positions in board and university exams and gaining merit entry into professional institution. But that does not alter the fact that they are discriminated against from birth in Pakistan," she added.

"Women have done far better than their male colleagues in attendance and legislation of bills, but why are they rarely given recognition for that or given important decision making roles?” she asked.

She added that very few CEOs in over 500 corporations listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange were women. “And they are usually relatives of the owners or associated to their sponsors.”

She lamented that in rural areas, women’s labour was not paid, recognised or appreciated while women working in urban industries were also exploited and not given the legislated benefits or facilities.

Former senator Nasreen Jalil said that only the elite could make it to the assemblies due to the prevailing system, people from the middle class were rare exceptions. She pointed out that privileged individuals occupied these seats, having no concern for public welfare and little awareness of people's issues.

She added that the laws could not be effectively implemented when the entire system was corrupt. "There are 20.5 per cent women in Parliament, but they are bound to follow their party lines, which is why caucuses fail to function. No change will take place until those who truly understand the issues and their solutions are elected to Parliament."

Dr Tasnim Ahsan, former executive director and head of department at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, recalled: "When I got into Dow Medical College, admissions were based on a quota system. In a class of 220 students, only 60 seats were allocated for girls. So, no matter how well we performed, only 60 of us could secure admission. However, this changed after a court ruling, which introduced open merit."

However, she pointed out that when these women doctors were married, their entry into a family as a daughter-in-law or wife came with entirely different expectations. Despite being highly educated and well-trained professionals, they were often expected to focus solely on household chores like cooking and cleaning. “This creates a massive mismatch of expectations, leading to unhappy marriages for many women doctors."

She also highlighted a concerning statistic, stating that Pakistan's maternal mortality ratio stood at 186 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Dr Asad Sayeed, Barrister Zahrah S Vayani, Baela Raza Jamil and others also spoke on the occasion.