Daily Writeup & Opinion | National Cohesion and Pakistan’s Economic Growth
The following article, “Why is National Cohesion Crucial for a Country’s Growth and Development? How is Pakistan Strengthening its Cohesion?“, is written by Kaynat Fatima, a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali. Moreover, the article is written on the same pattern, taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. Sir Kazim has uploaded his students’ solved past paper questions so other thousands of aspirants can understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Understanding National cohesion
3- Why is national cohesion important for a country’s development?
3.1-Economic development
- ✓ Economic growth and development
- Case in point: China as the 2nd largest economy
3.2-Social development
- ✓ Social equity and inclusion
- Case in point: Iceland’s at the top in gender equality
3.3-Cultural development
- ✓ Cultural diversity and tolerance
- Case in point: According to George Bernard Shaw, depending on how complex society tries to keep itself cohesive, different tolerance levels may be reached at various times.
3.4-Political development
- ✓ Stability and Power equipment to external threats
- Case in point: Norway the most democratic country, and peaceful countries Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, and New Zealand
3.5-Religious development
- ✓ Mutual respect between religious communities
- Case in point: According to a Pew Research Center study, Singapore is the world’s nation with the most diversity of religions.
3.6-Environmental development
- ✓ Environmental sustainability and Citizens’ sense of ownership and responsibility
- Case in point: programs like National Parks and National Forest Systems and the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
4-How is Pakistan strengthening its cohesion?
4.1-Economical strengthening
- ✓ A flagship project, CPEC
- Case in point: If the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a masterpiece that involves and benefits all nations, then China-Pakistan (CPEC) is the first movement’s lovely melody, according to China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
4.2-Politically strengthening
- ✓ decentralization of power and promote democracy
- Case in point: The 18th Amendment was a milestone for national cohesion and stability
4.3-Culturally strengthening
- ✓ Art and literature: promote national cohesion
- Case in point: National Art Gallery, Lok Virsa Museum
4.4-Socially strengthening
- ✓ Social protection programs
- Case in point: Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), scholarships
4.5-Religiously strengthening
- ✓ End of sectarianism and promote acceptance and tolerance
- Case in point: Kartarpur Corridor as a visa-free corridor
4.6-Environmentally strengthening
- ✓ focus on afforestation and reforestation
- Case in point: Clean and Green Pakistan project
5-Critical analysis
6-Conclusion
1-Introduction
National cohesion is the backbone of the country that leads the country toward stability, peace, and prosperity. It leads a country to glory and unsurpassable social, economic, and political growth and development. Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, and Austria are the most peaceful and developed countries due to national cohesion. Moreover, a country cannot achieve the height of glory without disunity, instability, and tyranny. National cohesion is crucial for socio-economic, political, cultural, and religious growth and development. South Africa is the best example of national cohesion in ending apartheid and transformation into a peaceful democracy. Further, Pakistan is also strengthening its national cohesion in social, economic, political, and cultural sectors through reforms and programs such as CPEC, the 18th Amendment, Clean and Green Pakistan, and social protection programs. Thus, this question concerns the crucial role of national cohesion in developing and growing a country and the initiatives and programs through which Pakistan is strengthening its national cohesion. According to Ivica Dacic,
“No one can undermine national unity.”
2-Understanding National cohesion
Before going down, it is crucial to understand national cohesion. National cohesion means a nation of different racial and religious groups, different people belonging to other parts of the country, and people of different languages, tribes, sects, and social classes living together with unity in a nation without any discrimination of class, sect, religion, language, colour, and creed. People in the nation live peacefully and cohesively without ethnic, economic, political, social, and cultural prejudices. National cohesion is essential for the country. It is considered a strength of the country. National cohesion is crucial for the country’s socio-economic, political, cultural, and environmental development and growth. Hence, national cohesion promotes a sense of unity, stability, and peace in the country.
“We are going through fire: the sunshine has yet to come. But I do not doubt that with Unity, Faith, and Discipline, we will compare with any nation of the world”.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
3- Why is national cohesion important for a country’s development?
3.1-Economic development
• ✓Economic growth and development
Moving down, it is essential to discuss the importance of national cohesion for the country’s development. National cohesion plays an important role in the country’s economic growth. If there is national cohesion in the country, there will be peace and harmony. Further, due to peace, there are more chances for international trade and foreign investment in the country. The USA has the 1st largest economy globally, and Brazil and Canada are at the top in global trade and foreign investment because of national cohesion. However, China is the 2nd largest economy in the world because of national cohesion and peace. India has become the 3rd largest economy globally and a Microsoft hub due to the national cohesion. National cohesion paves the way to peace and harmony, which enhances national trust and attracts foreign investors, leading toward economic development. So, national cohesion plays a significant role in the country’s economic growth.
“Divides within our own country are our biggest foreign policy issue. National unity and a resurgence of the understanding that, when it comes to foreign policy, we are all part of a single national project are the most pressing needs in terms of foreign policy.”
Henry A. Kissinger
3.2-Social development
• ✓Social equity and inclusion
Furthermore, national cohesion is vital to the country’s social development. If there is national cohesion in the country, there will be equality in society in all sectors, such as education, health, and natural resources. Further, Iceland is at the top of gender equality because of national unity, whereas Afghanistan has the lowest position because of the country’s disunity. Azerbaijan is a highly educated country because of its national cohesion. Moreover, if a country is highly educated, the individuals of this country actively participate in the country’s finances, which leads to national development. Likewise, if there is gender equality and equal opportunity for both males and females, the country’s GDP will also grow and lead toward development. Thus, national cohesion contributes significantly to the nation’s social growth.
“Humanity would not exist today if there was no social cohesiveness: Without the methods, guidelines, and plans that enable cooperation between individuals, we are not strong enough to exist.”
Peter Guber
3.3-Cultural development
- ✓ Cultural diversity and tolerance
Likely, national cohesion plays a part in the nation’s cultural growth. In cultural development, cultural diversity and tolerance play an essential role in developing national cohesion. Cultural diversity fosters innovation, creativity, and tolerance, enhances learning and personal growth, and allows individuals to broaden their horizons through national cohesion. According to George Bernard Shaw, depending on how complex society tries to keep itself cohesive, different tolerance levels may be reached at various times. Further, culture plays an essential role in shaping the country’s values, traditions, and identity, crucial to the nation’s political, social, and economic growth. In cultural development, language and literature also play an essential role because literature presents the reflection of society, whereas language bridges the gap between ethnic groups based on national cohesion. Consequently, national cohesion plays a critical role in the country’s cultural development.
“Knowledge of language is the doorway to wisdom.”
Roger Bacon
3.4-Political development
- ✓ Stability and power equipment to external threats
Additionally, national cohesion plays a significant role in the country’s political growth. National cohesion gives birth to political stability and plays a role of power equipment to external threats that lead to political development. Democracy also is essential for stability, freedom of thought, and unity. National cohesion and democracy are both indispensable to each other. Further, Albert Einstein asserts that a society’s ability to function largely depends on the degree of political coherence and individual freedom among its members. This independence of individuals is possible due to democracy. Norway is the most democratic country globally because of its national cohesion. Moreover, Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, and New Zealand are peaceful because of national cohesion and unity. If the country is internally cohesive and a unit, no one can interfere and is protected from external threats. So, national cohesion plays a crucial role in the political growth and stability of the country.
“We live by each other and for each other. Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
Helen killer
3.5-Religious development
- ✓ Mutual respect between religious communities
Moreover, national cohesion is vital in the country’s religious development. If there is national cohesion in the country, there will be mutual respect between religious communities, peace, tolerance, and harmony. According to the Pew Research Center study in 2014, Singapore is the world’s nation with the most diversity of religions. Singapore is a religiously diverse country because of national cohesion, which enhances people’s acceptance and tolerance. According to Lee, the PM of Singapore, “Singapore is a rare and precious example of a multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious society where people live harmoniously together.” Further, national cohesion plays a significant role in religious development, tolerance, and mutual respect between religious communities. Consequently, national cohesion plays an essential role in the religious development of the country.
“We want to live normal lives where our traditions and religion translate into tolerance so that we can live in harmony with the global community and contribute to its advancement.”
Mohammad bin Salman
3.6-Environmental development
- ✓ Environmental sustainability and enhances citizens’ sense of ownership and responsibility
In addition, national cohesion plays an essential role in the country’s environmental development. If there is national cohesion in the country, there will be a sense of ownership in citizens, and citizens will feel responsible for the communities, which will pave the way toward development through collaboration. Former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said that a country that degrades its soils degrades itself. Our land’s forests serve as its lungs, cleaning the air and infusing our people with new vitality. He also works on programs like National Park and National Forest Systems and also established the Civilian Conservation Corps. Further, national cohesion paves the way for environmental policies and programs and enhances the citizens’ sense of ownership, which enhances national trust and cooperation and leads to economic development. Hence, national cohesion is essential to the country’s environmental development through environmental sustainability programs and enhances citizens’ sense of ownership and responsibility.
“When we protect nature, nature protects us.”
UNEP
4-How is Pakistan strengthening its cohesion?
4.1-Economical strengthening
- ✓ A flagship project, CPEC
Moving down the ladder, it is essential to shed light on steps taken by Pakistan to strengthen its national cohesion. Pakistan has taken many social, economic, and political initiatives to strengthen its national cohesion. If a country is strengthened in social, economic, and political sectors that can also lead to national cohesion, peace, and unity. The economy is the priority of the country. Pakistan also strengthening its economy through the flagship project CPEC under the BRI to strengthen its cohesion. China is investing $62 billion in the CPEC, which is 20% of Pakistan’s GDP. According to the Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, if the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a masterpiece that involves and benefits all nations, then China-Pakistan (CPEC) is the first movement’s lovely melody. CPEC is considered a game-changer project for Pakistan. Under this project, China invests in renewable energy projects, highways and motorways, and special economic zones. These projects can enhance Pakistan’s economy through industrial development and job opportunities. Hence, through CPEC, Pakistan’s economy will be boosted, and the country will be led toward national cohesion, peace, and prosperity.
4.2-Politically strengthening
- ✓ Decentralization of power and promote democracy
Moreover, Pakistan is strengthening its national cohesion by strengthening its political sector. Politics plays a vital role in strengthening the national cohesion. If a country is politically divided, it has no national cohesion. Pakistan promotes the decentralization of power and democracy to strengthen its politics and curb corruption to establish national cohesion. The 18th Amendment is a milestone to strengthen its politics. Dr Hafeez Pasha states that the Federal Government’s net revenue collections for the 2016–2017 fiscal year were Rs2583 billion, whereas the amount of money required for debt service and defence was Rs2237 billion. This left a surplus of Rs347 billion, indicating that the 18th Amendment is Pakistan’s preferred financial pleasure project. Further, the 18th Amendment reduces the threat of military tyranny, promotes a centralized unitary system to establish a democratic government, and provides the province’s autonomy in legislature and finance to encourage trust between the public and government. Thus, the 18th Amendment is a milestone in strengthening its politics, paving the way to national cohesion and curbing corruption.
“If a country is to be corruption-free, it must become a nation of beautiful minds.”
Abdul Kalam
4.3-Culturally strengthening
- ✓ Art, literature, and traditional heritage: promote national cohesion
Furthermore, if a country is strengthened in social, economic, and cultural sectors that can also lead to national cohesion, peace, and unity. The culture, such as art, traditional heritage, and literature, reflects the country. Pakistan also strengthens its culture through projects like the National Art Gallery and Lok Virsa Museum to strengthen its cohesion by displaying its culture. According to the Executive Director of Lok Virsa, Malik Uzair Khan, since Lok Virsa’s inception, Lok Virsa Museum has highlighted the colours and the splendour of this lovely country, as well as having been instrumental in bringing attention to the nation’s culture, customs, and the amazing customs of Pakistan and its many areas. This museum and the National Art Gallery create awareness of Pakistan’s culture and tradition within Pakistan and all over the world. The National Art Gallery is considered a cultural hub of Pakistan. Consequently, art, literature, and traditional heritages are the assets that strengthen a country, guide the coming generation about their culture and heritage, and lead them to national cohesion.
“Unity is strength, division is weakness.”
Swahili Proverb
4.4-Socially strengthening
- ✓ Social protection programs
Similarly, a country’s social strength is important in its development and national cohesion. If a country is socially strong enough to face the problems, no one can stop it from reaching the height of glory and success. If society is socially, politically, and economically strong enough to tackle the problems, there would be trust, teamwork, unity, cohesion, and innovation that can contribute to the nation’s well-being. Pakistan is also working to strengthen the country socially through social protection programs like the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) offers scholarships for Pakistani students to pursue education. Further, Pakistan is strengthening its society through different programs and projects to develop social cohesion, unity, collaboration, and trust. Hence, socially secure people feel empowered, united with their nation, and contribute to national growth and development.
“You cannot be injured by adversaries outside of yourself when there is no opponent within.”
Winston S. Churchill
4.5-Religiously strengthening
- ✓ End of sectarianism and promote acceptance and tolerance
Additionally, a country’s religious strength is important in ending sectarianism and promoting acceptance and tolerance, which are essential for the country’s development and national cohesion. Religion can play a role in harmony, peace, and cohesion. Pakistan also plays a major role in strengthening its people on religious grounds for national cohesion. Pakistan’s step to open the Kartarpur Corridor for the Sikh community as a visa-free corridor is an initiative towards national cohesion. Farmer Prime Minister said on this occasion I am always happy to see the Sikh community come here, and the two messages brought with you that of peace and justice; these two things distinguish us from the animal. It is an interfaith initiative that empowers religious minorities to live together with majorities. In this way, the interfaith community can play a role in the nation’s growth, development, and well-being. Thus, these types of initiatives, like the nation is equal for all religious and ethnic groups, play a significant role in the growth and national cohesion of the country and bring the people together.
“Islam teaches tolerance, universal brotherhood, and peace, not violence, hatred, and enmity.”
Pervez Musharraf
4.6-Environmentally strengthening
- ✓ focus on afforestation and reforestation
Likewise, Pakistan is strengthening its national cohesion by strengthening its environment by focusing on afforestation and reforestation. Pakistan is at the top of environmental issues such as air pollution, a lack of safe drinking water supplies, noise pollution, and declining health, which are affecting the country due to climate change and global warming. According to the United Nations General Assembly under Resolution 64/292, no person shall be deprived of life and liberty. This resolution recognized the human right to clean and purify water and sanitation, which is essential for all humans and a basic human right. Further, Pakistan is also working to strengthen its environment through programs like Clean and Green Pakistan’s plantation of 10 billion trees. This program is based on five pillars: plantations, solid waste management, plantation safety, and overall sanitation, empowering citizens to participate actively. Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan states that access to sanitation services is a basic human right. The Clean and Green Pakistan is the government’s effort to curb pollution and the effects of climate change. So, Pakistan is strengthening its country through environmental initiatives to strengthen its national cohesion through the participation of the citizens of Pakistan.
5-Critical analysis
Critically, national cohesion is essential for the country’s economic, social, and political growth and development. National cohesion can bridge the religious divide, ethnic crisis, political instability, economic downfall, and cultural division. Further, in many examples in the world, countries have divided based on disunity; an example is the division of East Pakistan from West Pakistan. Countries are also developing, growing, and coming out of the crisis because of national cohesion, such as the South African people’s role in ending apartheid and transformation into a peaceful democracy. Another example is Sri Lanka, which faced debt default and economic crisis but came out of it because of national cohesion and stabilized its economy. Pakistan is also strengthening its national cohesion for development and resolving issues like sectarianism and political instability. National cohesion is vital in establishing peace, harmony, prosperity, and growth.
“I picture Africa becoming united and its leaders working together to find solutions to the continent’s problems.”
Nelson Mandela
6-Conclusion
To sum up, national cohesion is one of the critical characteristics of a resilient nation. National cohesion is crucial for socio-economic, political, cultural, and religious growth and development. Further, Pakistan is also strengthening its national cohesion in social, economic, political, and cultural sectors through reforms and programs such as CPEC, the 18th Amendment, Clean and Green Pakistan, and social protection programs. National cohesion can bridge the religious divide, ethnic crisis, political instability, economic downfall, and cultural division. Thus, national cohesion is critical for national growth, development, and peace.
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