What are the hurdles in our way in becoming a truly

independent state?

1. Introduction
2. Characteristics of truly independent state
a. Good governance
b. Good Economy indicators
c. Great FDI
d. Financially and economically independent
e. Strong geostrategic, geo-economic and geopolitical roots
f. Surplus balance of payment
g. Economic independence of a nation produces true political independence of a nation
state.
3. What are the hurdles in Pakistan’s way to becoming a truly independent state
(A) Economic Hurdles
i. Too much debt
ii. Fragile economy
iii. Weak democracy
iv. Low FDI
v. Over-dependence on indirect taxation
vi. Deficit balance of payment
vii. Dependence on foreign largesse
viii. Low ease of doing business ranking
ix. Underperforming SOEs
(B) Political hurdles
i. Rampant Corruption
ii. Disintegration in the provinces
iii. Puppet in the hands of western powers
iv. Civil-military tussle
v. Proxy wars
vi. India factor
vii. Baluchistan issue
viii. Unclear development agenda
ix. Terrorism
x. Weak leadership
4. Suggestions to overcome
a. Should focus on indigenous growth model
b. Taxation reforms
c. Incentive to new business and infant industries
d. Breaking the begging bowl
e. Focusing on trade relations (FTAs, GSP-Plus, PTAs)
f. Stability in civil-military relations
g. Corruption should be dealt with iron hands
h. Work of ease of doing business to attract investment in the country
i. Taxation on agriculture and real estate sector
j. Building soft power
5. Conclusion
Introduction:
Pakistan’s total debt is around seventy-three billion dollars reflecting debt-to-GDP ratio of
nearly fifty-six percent (FY2016). This fact speaks volume about the independence of the
state. It goes without saying that at present, every newborn Pakistani comes with an
albatross of foreign debt around his neck. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the problems
that Pakistan is presently facing. A state can be independent when it can make free choices
according to its desires and wishes. Pakistan got independence in nineteen forty-seven.
However, after almost seventy years of independence, Pakistan cannot be termed as a truly
independent state. There are a plethora of reasons of which explain this perturbing reality.
With this sorry state of affairs, this country is being pushed to cul-de-sac. True
independence cannot be achieved until the country becomes independent in political and
economic sphere. This country is deprived of political as well economic independence. It is a
fact that without economic independence, political independence is just a façade. Both go
hand in hand. Genuine independence will be a distant dream until the state gets
independence in the two aforementioned areas. It is, indeed, necessary that Pakistan should
work on numerous fronts simultaneously in order to become truly independent.

Thesis statement: There are innumerous hurdles in our way to become a truly independent
state. It requires dedicated efforts in the right direction to overcome these hurdles.

Conclusion:
To cut the story short, there are plethora of hurdles in Pakistan’s way to become truly
independent state. Because of these hurdles, Pakistan has just become a puppet in the
hand of western powers. Consequently, it is just treated as subservient who receives
direction about what to do next. The hurdles are of political as well as of economic nature. It
is important to mention that both of these areas are so intertwined that independence in
one is impossible without the other. Moreover, political independence without economic
independence is nothing more than a façade. Therefore, it is imperative that Pakistan should
work in above-mentioned two key areas in order to progress by leaps and bounds. It
requires tireless efforts to achieve the desired results. As Denis Waitley once said, “The
results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.”