Presently, Pakistan is facing multiple crises at different levels and across various institutions, and this poly-crisis has significantly affected both the state and society. The crisis has its roots in social disorder and the resulting instability, as well as political confusion and the political instability arising from it. The economic crisis in the country is generally considered a consequence of social and political instability. However, the social factor remains perhaps the most important yet least identified element underlying the broader crisis confronting Pakistan.

Various viewpoints and numerous interpretations offered by scholars, academics, and individuals possessing social insight—or those who consider themselves to possess intellectual and scholarly capacity—present different explanations for the crisis. However, there is little consensus among a large section of the intelligentsia or among scholars regarding what constitutes the root cause of the multiple crises confronting Pakistan. This absence of consensus among intellectuals and scholars regarding identifying the precise root causes of Pakistan’s poly-crisis is itself symptomatic of the state of scholarship and research in the country. This is indeed unfortunate for Pakistan.

Insofar as the social, political, and economic crises are concerned, scholars and ordinary citizens generally blame the political system, the distribution of state power within it, or the overriding influence of extra-political actors as the root cause of the present crisis. While there is considerable substance in this argument, the question remains whether the political system operates or power dynamics function within the state structure independently of the social structure and the distribution of social power within society. The answer is clearly no. However, surprisingly, many scholars fail to sufficiently address the social foundations of the present crisis, and consequently, the country has struggled to formulate solid and workable solutions to address these multiple challenges. Without identifying the social roots of the crisis and explaining the societal understanding of the problems it faces, alongside suggesting practical solutions, meaningful progress remains difficult.

Coming to the social roots of the crisis in Pakistan, multiple social problems can be identified in this regard. Foremost among them is the lack of conviction regarding what is right and wrong in individual conduct. Moreover, this absence of clarity is equally visible in people’s objectives and goals, the means adopted to achieve them, and perhaps most importantly, their belief in their own capacity to achieve these goals. For instance, for many people in Pakistan, the underlying objective in life is to accumulate wealth in relative terms. This, in itself, is not problematic. However, two significant issues arise from this mindset and broader social psychology. First, many people do not seek wealth merely to improve their standard of living or contribute positively to society; rather, wealth is often pursued to acquire material possessions that can be displayed to impress others. In other words, many pursue wealth without having clarity regarding its purpose or productive use.

Secondly, many people do not understand the practical means through which wealth and financial security can be created. It is not sufficient to possess clear objectives; equally important are the methods employed to achieve those objectives. This is particularly relevant because a large segment of Pakistan’s population remains functionally illiterate, while even many among the educated suffer from poor educational quality and weak comprehension. Consequently, many individuals fail to develop innovative or intelligent approaches toward economic advancement and are therefore unable to contribute effectively toward community development or broader national progress.

Economically speaking, people can legally and ethically accumulate wealth through relatively straightforward means such as savings, investment, and sustained hard work. Although many may not possess inherited wealth or substantial resources, opportunities can still emerge through the effective use of social capital, including support networks among relatives and friends. Resources for investment can often be arranged through modest personal savings combined with limited financial support from better-off family members or acquaintances. However, while borrowing is common in Pakistan, loans are often sought for unproductive purposes, such as financing lavish social functions or family ceremonies, rather than income-generating activities. Consequently, many borrowers struggle to repay debts on time, creating conflicts, psychological stress, declining trust, and ultimately weakening social capital itself.

Another important factor is the broader issue of insufficient work ethic and productivity. A culture of avoiding difficult tasks or seeking shortcuts often contributes to economic stagnation. This tendency is frequently highlighted in discussions regarding younger populations. Many young people aspire to migrate abroad because they perceive limited opportunities domestically. By “appropriate opportunities,” many often refer to secure public-sector employment where job security and pension benefits are high, while expectations regarding workload may be comparatively lower. Others expect the government to provide financial support to establish businesses because they lack the means or willingness to assume entrepreneurial risks themselves. While these observations cannot be generalized across an entire generation, they nevertheless highlight broader concerns regarding productivity, ambition, and labour market expectations.

The poly-crisis in Pakistan is closely connected with social attitudes and collective behaviour patterns. Another important aspect relates to social priorities. Societies generally excel in areas that receive sustained attention and effort. In Pakistan, marriage and family formation remain central social priorities for a large portion of society. Career development, economic advancement, productivity, and broader social contribution often receive comparatively less attention. The consequences are visible. Pakistan is among the world’s most populous countries, yet development indicators remain comparatively weak. The country continues to rank poorly across several human development indicators, highlighting the gap between demographic growth and economic and social progress.

The facts suggest that political and economic crises cannot be entirely separated from social realities. Political instability, economic challenges, institutional weaknesses, and governance failures often interact with deeper social patterns and collective behaviours. Therefore, understanding Pakistan’s crisis requires a broader perspective that includes not only politics and economics but also social attitudes, educational quality, productivity, and behavioural patterns. Policymakers, scholars, and institutions must examine these dimensions carefully; otherwise, both diagnosis and solutions may remain incomplete or ineffective.