The Hidden Culprit

By Faraz Ali Otho 

For decades, myriad policies have been designed to halt the pressing crises in Pakistan. On paper, they appear unprecedented, yet reality reveals a troubling paradox: not one has been translated into effective action. This depicts a mismatch between strategic rhetoric and practical implementation. A question then arises: Who will hold the so-called policymakers accountable? Ideally, the commoners. However, most citizens of Pakistan remain confined to tribal conflicts, illogical customs, orthodox beliefs, and self-imposed plight, all rooted in illiteracy.

With a literacy rate of 60%, Pakistan faces a significant disparity that exacerbates social evils. Every state’s fate is decided by key actors. In Pakistan, illiteracy plays a dominant role in scripting both internal and external affairs. Pakistan is grappling with obscurantism, a colonial mentality, and human rights deprivation. This demonstrates that illiteracy, the hidden culprit, is hollowing out Pakistan’s enriched culture and its pluralistic, progressive teachings.

Sindh, the gateway of Islam, despite its strong religious and moral foundation, still suffers from hereditary spiritual feudalism. It remains in darkness, lacking a rational philosophical framework. This reflects the grim reality that illiteracy enables the monopolization of common people’s thoughts in the name of spirituality. People turn to self-styled spiritual leaders during adversity and illness, seeking divine cures. The masses are manipulated either by fear of torment or by promises of personal welfare. In practice, those promises remain unfulfilled, exposing the persistence of endemic illiteracy.

Similarly, the burgeoning insurgency in Balochistan remains a critical challenge. Ronald Reagan’s words ring true here: “Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” Negotiations are the only viable solution. Yet, due to widespread illiteracy, building consensus for talks between the Baloch community and the government remains a Herculean task.

Furthermore, Pakistan ranks near the bottom in technology, economy, and healthcare. This reflects not a lack of resources, but a paucity of awareness and the political will to reform the system. Finland serves as a case in point: with a literacy rate of nearly 100%, it maintains high standards in healthcare, technology, and economic stability. This counters the myth that natural resources alone are a nation’s greatest asset; literacy and awareness are.

Pakistan’s political landscape has been shaped by decades of military dominance and dynastic rule. This pattern persists not by accident, but because generational illiteracy deprives the working class of its most potent weapon: informed choice. When a voter cannot read a manifesto, a worker cannot recognize his own exploitation, and a citizen remains unaware of fundamental rights, democracy becomes a ritual, not a reality.

Thus, there is no doubt that illiteracy continues to cripple Pakistan in every arena. It must be eradicated urgently. The government must play a pivotal role in fostering education while addressing structural barriers. For instance, millions of children remain out of school primarily due to financial insecurity. In addition, adult education programs must be restructured and expanded nationwide, addressing the specific bottlenecks faced by the masses in accessing education. Education is the pathway to Pakistan’s enlightenment, reasoning, innovation, peace, and prosperity.