Business
Why Pakistan’s governance model is failing its youth | The Express Tribune
Unemployed young people pose challenges, can become positive force if governance system is fair and inclusive
ISLAMABAD:
What is a state? Why do people give up their rights to the state? How does it function? What are the responsibilities of a state? These are questions that have always been asked and debated throughout human history. A state aims to restrict, control, and eliminate injustice, external threats, and social injustice. But how?
The state establishes a fair governance system that upholds human equality, dignity, and liberty. Through this system, the state aims to provide basic needs, skills for growth, education to promote morality and values, and a peaceful living environment. It ensures that everyone – government, institutions, and individuals – is governed by the rule of law, which unites society.
In essence, a state’s strength depends on its governance system, which should focus on people, be anchored in the rule of law, be dedicated to justice and the fight against injustice, and hold officials accountable for ensuring a prosperous and safe life.
Now, the question is, how do we create such a state, who can undertake the job, and what qualities do those individuals possess? Islam outlined the characteristics of the state and its actors many centuries ago. Islam states that the system and its actors must be pious, transparent, accountable, selfless, and always serve as servants rather than rulers. Islam has provided a practical example of a welfare state, governed by the rule of law, with everyone submitting to it.
The state is always focused on people, giving priority to meeting the needs of its citizens and all creatures within its borders. The state must also provide social justice before seeking justice.
Pakistan was envisioned as a state with these characteristics. It was promised that the state would work to create a fairer social justice system, a welfare economy, respect human dignity, ensure sustainable peace, and operate through a people-centric governance system based on Islamic principles.
It will be ensured through inclusiveness and public participation, achieved by strengthening people’s democracy at the highest level. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah emphasised that a fair and just system of governance would be crucial to achieving these objectives.
Regrettably, after Jinnah’s death, the idea began to fade. The ruling elite could not grasp the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision. Justice and social justice have become the last priorities of the ruling class. The state, which was meant to serve as the guarantor of justice, was unable to do much to protect the vulnerable.
The elite ruling class and its actors exploit the weak with impunity. Those who were brought into the system as servants have become the rulers. They enjoy enormous benefits at the expense of the common man. They have burdened citizens with various taxes and bestowed themselves with extraordinary privileges. The lure of power’s perks and benefits is so strong that no one wants to relinquish it.
As a result, elitism, exploitation, injustice, and social and economic exclusion have become the defining features of the Pakistani system. Rent-seeking and corruption are common practices. Fairness, social justice, and inclusivity, which were meant to be the core principles of the state, have become alien to Pakistanis.
In modern Pakistan, exclusion and injustice are so widespread that they affect all levels of society. The story of exclusion begins with the education system and extends to access to livelihood opportunities, social status, security without discrimination, and growth prospects.
The biggest victims of this unfair and exclusionary system are the youth. On one side, most young people lack access to quality education and skill development, and on the other side, retired individuals prevent them from getting jobs, as they take on post-retirement roles.
The elite class has replaced merit with nepotism and bribery. This forces the youth to remain unemployed. It is a concerning trend, as youth (aged 30 and below) make up 64% of the population. This creates serious challenges for the country, security, and economic growth.
It is well known that youth can be a destructive or constructive force. If the system is fair and inclusive, young people will be a positive force; otherwise, no one can stop them from becoming destructive. Recently, we have seen Gen Z bring down many governments.
Against this backdrop, there is a need to reform the system to ensure it is fair and inclusive. Serious reforms are necessary to safeguard the social and economic interests of ordinary people, protect the life and dignity of every citizen, and guarantee justice and social equity for all without discrimination.
In this context, we have some suggestions for consideration. First, merit should be the guiding principle, not nepotism or any form of discrimination. Merit must consist of two components: 1) field competence and 2) high moral values such as integrity, selflessness, truthfulness, transparency, accountability, and honesty.
Second, the constitution should prohibit post-retirement appointments that favour the elite and are a criminal act. Third, the ruling class must live among ordinary citizens; there should be no gated communities. Fourth, everyone must obey the law, regardless of their situation or status. The ruling class must understand that the rule of law is fundamental to keeping the country united.
It is high time to bring in changes, as Pakistan is undergoing a series of constitutional reforms. Moreover, the much-debated topic of creating new provinces is included in the proposed 28th amendment, making the timing more relevant for enacting and piloting the reforms.
In conclusion, state leaders must understand that selective justice and social injustice are a recipe for failure and go against the teachings of Islam. Fair and accessible justice, along with social justice, is increasingly necessary. Therefore, the government should neither be too soft nor too harsh; it must be just and equitable.
The foundation of the government relies on justice and social justice at all levels. Without these, the government cannot endure, as seen in the example of the USSR. Despite its power, the USSR’s inability to deliver justice and social justice ultimately led to its collapse.
The writer is a political economist and visiting research fellow at Hebei University, China
Business
Gurugram Attracts Rs 86,588 Crore In Real Estate Investments In 2025 As RERA Clears 131 Projects
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Alongside rising investments, Gurugram RERA strengthened regulatory oversight to safeguard homebuyer and investor interests
Gurgaon Real Estate (Representative Image)
Gurugram emerged as one of India’s top real estate investment destinations in 2025, with projects worth Rs 86,588 crore receiving regulatory approvals during the year, according to data from the Gurugram Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Gurugram RERA).
Market observers said the numbers reflect strong investor confidence in the NCR’s largest commercial and residential hub.
Gurugram RERA registered 131 projects in calendar year 2025, representing development potential of 35,455 units across housing and commercial segments.
A striking feature of the data was the dominance of large-ticket projects. Just 28 major developments accounted for investments worth Rs 59,360 crore, highlighting the growing influence of institutional capital and large developers in shaping Gurugram’s property market.
Residential assets continued to attract the bulk of investment interest. Of the total units approved, 31,455 were residential, underscoring sustained end-user demand and long-term confidence in the city’s housing fundamentals.
According to Authority data, the residential mix included 17,405 group housing units, 5,720 mixed land use units, 4,040 residential floor units, 2,122 affordable group housing units, 1,954 units under the Deen Dayal housing scheme, and 214 residential plotted colony units.
Market observers said this diversified supply pipeline indicates capital deployment across both premium and mass segments, helping reduce concentration risk and deepen market resilience.
On the commercial side, Gurugram RERA approved about 4,000 commercial units, of which 168 were dedicated to IT parks, reinforcing Gurugram’s position as a preferred hub for technology firms and Global Capability Centres.
Analysts noted that the combination of office-led employment growth and residential expansion continues to make Gurugram attractive for long-term capital deployment.
Industry experts said the scale of investments approved in 2025 highlights Gurugram’s ability to attract capital despite global uncertainty, supported by infrastructure growth, a strong corporate base and an improving regulatory environment.
“With a large pipeline of approved projects and sustained interest from developers and institutional investors, Gurugram is expected to remain a key real estate investment destination in the coming years,” a Gurugram-based real estate expert said.
Tighter regulatory checks
Alongside rising investments, Gurugram RERA strengthened regulatory oversight to enhance transparency and safeguard homebuyer and investor interests.
“These steps included stricter scrutiny of developer submissions, mandatory site inspections by domain experts, and public consultation through mandatory notices before project registration,” an Authority official said.
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January 16, 2026, 07:44 IST
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National Startup Day highlights India’s thriving startup ecosystem, celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation driven by founders, unicorns and Startup India mission
National Startup Day 2026 honours Indian startups, entrepreneurs and innovators driving economic growth and job creation.
National Startup Day 2026: India’s startup ecosystem has evolved into one of the world’s most vibrant and promising innovation hubs. To recognise the contribution of entrepreneurs, founders and startups transforming ideas into impactful solutions, National Startup Day is observed every year on January 16 across the country.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, the day celebrates visionary entrepreneurs who play a crucial role in economic growth, employment generation and technological advancement.
National Startup Day serves as a reminder that innovation, backed by determination and policy support, can reshape society and create global impact.
National Startup Day 2026 Theme
The official theme for National Startup Day 2026 is yet to be announced. However, the core focus areas are expected to revolve around:
- Innovation and emerging technologies
- Entrepreneurship and leadership
- Self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
- Startup India Mission
- Youth empowerment
- Job creation
How Startups Are Shaping India’s Future
India currently ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of early 2025. Backed by 100+ unicorns, the ecosystem continues to grow rapidly.
Metro cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR lead this expansion, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as new innovation centres, adding diversity and scale to India’s entrepreneurial journey.
Startups across fintech, edtech, health-tech, e-commerce and deep-tech are addressing real-world challenges and gaining global recognition. Technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and IoT are increasingly driving innovation, according to Startup India ecosystem reports.
Industry-Wise Startup Impact
DPIIT-recognised startups have generated over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across sectors as of October 31, 2024, strengthening India’s employment landscape.
- IT Services: 2.04 lakh jobs
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: 1.47 lakh jobs
- Commercial & Professional Services: 94,000 jobs
Through the Startup India initiative, the government continues to focus on skill development, funding access, ecosystem collaboration and global outreach.
Key Initiatives Under Startup India
- Capacity building and mentorship
- Outreach and awareness programmes
- Ecosystem development events
- International exposure and global linkages
- Collaboration between startups, corporates and institutions.
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January 16, 2026, 07:00 IST
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The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
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Gurugram Attracts Rs 86,588 Crore In Real Estate Investments In 2025 As RERA Clears 131 Projects
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