Eps 1: why pakistan is soon to become a super power
— why pakistan is soon to become a super power
The podcast argues that Pakistan may soon become a superpower due to its geographic location, nuclear arsenal, and rapidly growing economy. The country is strategically located at the crossroads of Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, making it a potential economic and political hub. Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities also give it leverage in international relations and security issues. Furthermore, its economy has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the middle class expanding and infrastructure development happening at a rapid rate. The podcast concludes that while there are still challenges to overcome, such as corruption and political instability, Pakistan’s potential as a global power cannot be ignored.
| Seed data: | Link 1 |
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| Host image: | StyleGAN neural net |
| Content creation: | GPT-3.5, |
Host
Roger Marshall
Podcast Content
Why Pakistan is Soon to Become a Super Power
[Introduction music]
Host: Hello and welcome to our podcast, where we discuss global issues and trends that matter. Today, we will talk about a country that often makes headlines for the wrong reasons, but has great potential for the future: Pakistan. Despite many challenges and setbacks, Pakistan is poised to become a super power in the near future. In this episode, we will explore why and how that could happen. But first, let's look at some facts and figures about Pakistan that might surprise you.
[Background music]
Host: Pakistan is the world's fifth most populous country with over 220 million people, most of them under the age of 30. Pakistan is also the world's second-largest Muslim-majority country, after Indonesia. Pakistan has a strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, with access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Pakistan shares borders with India, China, Afghanistan, Iran, and the disputed region of Kashmir. Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state with a large standing army and a history of military rule and civil unrest. Pakistan is also a cricket-loving nation, having won the World Cup in 1992 and many other accolades in the sport.
[Transition music]
Host: Now, let's examine why Pakistan is soon to become a super power. Some may argue that Pakistan is not even close to being a super power, given its numerous problems such as poverty, corruption, terrorism, sectarianism, and political instability. However, these problems are not unique to Pakistan and are not insurmountable. In fact, Pakistan has already made significant progress in many areas that are essential for becoming a super power. Let me highlight some of them.
First, Pakistan has been making strides in economic development, despite several setbacks due to regional and global factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war against terrorism. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan's economy is expected to grow by 1.5% in 2020, despite a negative growth rate in 2019. This is mainly due to the government's bold reforms in reducing fiscal and current account deficits, improving tax collection, enhancing exports, and boosting investments in infrastructure and social sectors. Pakistan is also a member of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that aims to connect China's western regions with Pakistan's deep-sea port of Gwadar through a network of roads, railways, and pipelines. CPEC is expected to create thousands of jobs, attract billions of dollars in investments, and transform Pakistan's economy by connecting it with the world's largest market.
Second, Pakistan has been investing in human development, particularly in education and health, which are essential for unleashing the potential of its youthful population. Pakistan has made remarkable progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in education, gender equality, and child mortality, and is now focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to eradicate poverty, hunger, and disease by 2030. Pakistan has launched several ambitious initiatives such as the Ehsaas Program, the Kamyab Jawan Program, and the Hunarmand Pakistan Program that aim to provide social protection, youth empowerment, and skills development to millions of people. Pakistan has also made commendable efforts in fighting infectious diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, and has become a leading producer of generic medicines that are affordable and accessible to millions of people in developing countries.
Third, Pakistan has been expanding its diplomatic and strategic outreach, both regionally and globally, in order to enhance its influence and address its security concerns. Pakistan has improved its relations with major powers such as China, Russia, and the United States, and has deepened its ties with regional powers such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Pakistan has also played a constructive role in regional forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Pakistan has been advocating for peace and stability in Afghanistan, where it has played a key role in facilitating the U.S.-Taliban peace talks. Pakistan has also been promoting its soft power through its cultural heritage, sports, and tourism, which can help improve its image and attract foreign investment and tourists.
[Transition music]
Host: Now, let's examine how Pakistan could become a super power in the near future. Becoming a super power requires more than economic, social, and diplomatic achievements, although these are necessary conditions. Becoming a super power requires a vision, a strategy, and a leadership that can mobilize the resources and the will of the nation towards a common goal. Pakistan has many advantages that could help it become a super power, but it also faces many challenges that could impede its progress. Let me highlight some of the ways that Pakistan could become a super power.
First, Pakistan needs to harness the potential of its youthful population and provide them with quality education, skills, and opportunities that can enable them to compete in the global market. The youth bulge can be a demographic dividend or a demographic disaster, depending on how it is managed. Pakistan needs to invest heavily in education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation, in order to unleash the creative and productive energies of its youth. Pakistan needs to build more universities, colleges, technical institutes, and vocational centers that can equip its youth with the tools and the mindset for success. Pakistan needs to create a more conducive environment for businesses, both domestic and foreign, that can create more jobs and more wealth for the country. Pakistan needs to reward merit, creativity, and innovation, rather than nepotism, corruption, and cronyism, that can stifle the growth and the morale of the people.
Second, Pakistan needs to strengthen its governance and rule of law, which are essential for attracting investments, fighting corruption, ensuring safety and security, and promoting social justice. Pakistan needs to reform its political and judicial systems, its police and bureaucracy, its media and civil society, in order to make them more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. Pakistan needs to promote a culture of tolerance, pluralism, and diversity, that can help bridge the divisions and the conflicts that have plagued the country for decades. Pakistan needs to ensure that the rights and the dignity of all citizens, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, or social status, are respected and protected, as enshrined in the Constitution and the international conventions that Pakistan has ratified.
Third, Pakistan needs to pursue an independent foreign policy that is based on its national interests, its values, and its strategic vision, rather than on the dictates of others. Pakistan needs to balance its relations with major powers, and avoid being too dependent on any one of them. Pakistan needs to foster regional cooperation for peace, security, and development, and become a bridge between South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Pakistan needs to uphold its commitments to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and avoid any arms race or conflict with its neighbors. Pakistan needs to enhance its soft power by projecting its rich heritage, culture, and arts, and by promoting tourism, sports, and people-to-people exchanges. Pakistan needs to participate more actively in global governance, and contribute to the resolution of the major challenges facing humanity, such as climate change, poverty, epidemics, and terrorism.
[Concluding music]
Host: Thank you for listening to our podcast on why Pakistan is soon to become a super power. We hope you have gained some insights into the potential and the challenges of Pakistan, and into the role that Pakistan can play in shaping the destiny of the world. Pakistan faces many obstacles, but also many opportunities, and it is up to the people and the leaders of Pakistan to decide what kind of future they want and how to achieve it. We welcome your feedback and comments on this podcast, and we invite you to join us next time for another episode on a global issue that matters. Until then, goodbye and stay safe.