Ordinary Pakistanis
Ordinary Pakistanis: Pakistan’s 2026-27 budgets show that ordinary people are not a priority. Inflation has hurt millions of families. Prices have risen sharply, while incomes have grown slowly. Many people also pay higher taxes. Despite these hardships, the government has offered little relief. Leaders only thanked citizens for bearing the burden.
Education Neglected
Education shows this problem clearly. The United Nations recommends spending 4 percent of GDP on education. Pakistan now spends less than 1 percent. Leaders call education a top priority, but their budgets tell a different story.
Misplaced Priorities
Many universities face serious financial problems. The federal government did not increase funding for higher education. Inflation has raised costs, and salaries have increased. More universities now share the same budget. As a result, many struggle to pay salaries and pensions.
The government also spends money on projects such as Daanish Schools and laptop schemes. At the same time, millions of children remain out of school. Many government schools lack teachers, furniture, and basic facilities.
Limited Educational Support
Authorities also reduced support for textbooks. Instead of increasing funds, they asked students to use the same books for three years. They also placed books online. However, many children damage books through regular use. Many government-school students also lack internet access.
Punjab increased its education budget by 15 percent. However, inflation has reduced the real value of this increase. Higher salaries consume most of the extra funds. Schools receive little additional support for textbooks, materials, or improvements.
Public Health Crisis
The health sector faces similar problems. Pakistan still struggles to eliminate polio. Many children miss important vaccinations. Around 40 percent of children suffer from malnutrition. High rates of maternal and infant deaths continue. Diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, diabetes, and heart disease affect millions.
Poor public services worsen these problems. Many people lack safe drinking water. Many communities lack proper sewage and waste disposal systems. Governments rarely treat these issues as priorities. Instead, they often focus on roads and underpasses.
Security vs Development
The government increased spending on security. It allocated more funds to the military and law-enforcement agencies. Security matters, but human development matters too.
Pakistan cannot build a strong future without investing in people. Children need proper nutrition. Young people need quality education and skills. Citizens need healthcare, clean water, and sanitation.
Governance Failure
The real problem lies in the governance system. It often serves powerful groups instead of ordinary citizens. Unless priorities change, Pakistan’s future will remain uncertain.
Published in Dawn, 19th June 2026
