THE heart of the issue faced by many developing nations, particularly in the subcontinent, lies in governance.

Pakistan, endowed with vast resources and a strategic position, should have been a thriving economy by now. However, rampant corruption has continuously crippled the nation’s potential. Countries like Switzerland, which has no oceans; Singapore, which lacks rice fields; Saudi Arabia, with no forests and Japan, devoid of rich minerals, have all succeeded due to good governance. The Netherlands, without mountains and the Philippines, rich in natural resources but still poor, further demonstrate that the problem is not the lack of natural resources but rather poor governance. Pakistan’s potential remains largely untapped due to systemic issues in governance and corruption, not because of a lack of resources.

When we compare Pakistan to countries with similar size and population, such as Bangladesh and Indonesia, the contrasts become evident. Despite facing similar resource challenges, these nations........

© Pakistan Observer