At the start of 2025, Pakistan faces arguably the worst crisis in its history. More importantly, this crisis is multifaceted, encompassing social, economic, political, and psychological dimensions. While many attribute the crisis to political instability, a deeper, more realistic, and rational analysis reveals that the crisis is not primarily political. In fact, it can be argued that the crisis is more social than political.

To understand the crisis, one must consider the social aspect, particularly in terms of moral degradation. Pakistani society has reached its lowest point in this regard. It is evident that most members of society either cannot or do not want to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong. Despite being aware of what is good and what is bad, many people in Pakistan hesitate to speak out openly. Whether individuals truly perceive evil as “bad” in their hearts is something only God knows, as mentioned in the Holy Quran. However, Islamic teachings describe this as the weakest state of one’s faith (Iman). What can be observed is that, if not most, many Pakistanis do not even regard wrong as wrong or right as right. The most significant consequence of this moral decay is the widespread financial corruption that has permeated both official and unofficial institutions. Public services and social services can no longer be accessed by paying the approved fees and wages; instead, people must pay much more than the official rates to obtain these services. On the other hand, many laborers and workers are paid less than the official wage rate due to their vulnerable bargaining position. Most Pakistanis seem indifferent to God’s instructions when it comes to paying fair wages or receiving services at the correct rates. This is a reflection of moral degradation, where there is little regard for God’s guidance.

Another key indicator of moral decay in Pakistani society is the disproportionate respect given to the wealthy and those in positions of power, while those without wealth or influential jobs are often disregarded. This is evident in the pervasive “Very Important Person” (VIP) culture, where social status is largely determined by wealth and official position. The most disturbing aspect of this situation is that even intellectuals and educated individuals receive little to no regard in contemporary Pakistani society. As a result, the intellectual class has minimal influence on social dynamics. Intellectuals are unable to lead the way or guide society on how to overcome these social ills. In a society where those with knowledge and wisdom are disregarded and have little social acceptance, the country is on the path to destruction. Unfortunately, Pakistan appears to be heading down this path.

In Pakistan, many charlatans and pseudo-intellectuals have posed as true intellectuals, exploiting both the people and the government. These charlatans can be found among religious scholars, journalists, professors, and literati. They are driven primarily by financial gain and, in the process, distort and misinterpret issues, offering solutions that only worsen the country’s ongoing crises. A major contributor to this issue is social media, which, to a certain extent, has amplified the influence of these pseudo-intellectuals. By providing them with massive earnings and giving them a platform, social media has ingrained their flawed ideas into the minds and behaviors of the Pakistani population.

Historically, due to widespread illiteracy and ignorance, Pakistanis have held narrow worldviews. This limited perspective has been the root cause of many of the nation’s social issues. One of the most significant consequences of this narrow worldview is that Pakistanis lack a real understanding of what development means and how it can be achieved. Without an understanding of development processes and active participation in these processes, no meaningful progress is possible. This is precisely the experience of Pakistani society today.

Another critical issue directly stemming from this limited worldview is the rapid population growth in Pakistan. For many Pakistanis, marriage is seen as the greatest achievement, and having children, particularly many children, is viewed as a natural byproduct of this societal goal. This attitude has contributed to Pakistan becoming the fifth most populous country in the world, with projections showing that it will soon surpass the United States in population, making it the fourth largest. This situation reflects the narrow worldview of the majority, who fail to appreciate the importance of personal, professional, and societal development.

Widespread extremism in Pakistani society, whether based on religion, politics, ethnicity, or family disputes, represents another serious social crisis. This extremism has torn apart the social fabric, rendering the society one of the most underdeveloped, conflict-prone, and unstable in the world. The pervasive extremism seen in Pakistan today is a direct result of moral degradation, disregard for education and scholarship, narrow worldviews, and unchecked population growth. Many political leaders in Pakistan often express confusion about the rise of extremism, questioning what has gone wrong in society. They fail to understand that extremism is not the root cause but rather a symptom of deeper social problems. While extremism is undoubtedly a serious issue that has severely impacted the country’s stability, it is crucial to understand the underlying causes of its widespread presence. There are countries that are far poorer than Pakistan but much more socially and politically stable. In contrast, Pakistan, despite its substantial wealth among some segments of society, remains socially backward and unstable.

For leadership and policymakers to effectively address Pakistan’s multifaceted crisis, they must first tackle the chronic social problems that underlie the crisis. Without addressing the root causes, solving the visible symptoms will not provide lasting relief. Leaders must come together to find a comprehensive solution, for there is no other way to address the country’s challenges. Without this united effort, Pakistan risks a doomsday scenario that is already looming on the horizon.