Prime Minister's Secretariat,
Constitution Ave, Red Zone,
Islamabad, Pakistan.
Respected Prime Minister,
I write this letter with profound respect and genuine concern following your recent address at Dera Ghazi Khan on 22nd February, 2025 urging the nation to "Leave Behind & Defeat India."
While national pride and ambition are essential drivers of progress, true leadership is not defined by rivalry but by meaningful development, innovation, and the upliftment of every citizen. It is not through competition but through self-improvement that nations rise and gain global respect.
A close examination of socio-economic and scientific indicators reveals where Pakistan stands today in comparison to India and highlights the critical areas that demand urgent attention. Pakistan's economy, with a GDP of approximately $376 billion and a GDP per capita of $1,540, remains significantly behind India's $3.73 trillion GDP and $2,610 per capita income.
Our poverty rate, hovering around 39%, is nearly double India's 21%. The Human Development Index reflects a similar disparity, with Pakistan scoring 0.544 - classified as low - compared to India’s 0.633, which places it in the medium category. These figures are not just statistics; they reflect the quality of life of millions of our citizens, signaling the urgent need for inclusive growth policies aimed at reducing poverty and raising living standards.
The gap in education and scientific research is even more concerning. Pakistan's literacy rate remains at 59%, with a higher education enrollment rate of only 10%. We have around 150 research institutions and produce approximately 50,000 STEM graduates annually.
Our contributions to global research are limited, with only 4,000 research publications each year and around 150 patents filed in 2022. In stark contrast, India's literacy rate stands at 77%, with a higher education enrollment rate of 28%. The country supports over 1,000 research institutions and produces 2.5 million STEM graduates annually, contributing more than 170,000 research publications and filing around 61,000 patents in 2022. These disparities highlight the urgent need for substantial investment in education, scientific research, and intellectual property development if Pakistan hopes to become a competitive player on the global stage.
The industrial and technological landscape presents a similar challenge. Pakistan's industrial growth rate is approximately 2.4%, and our investment in research and development remains at a modest 0.3% of GDP. Our high-tech exports are valued at around $400 million, and the digital economy contributes merely 1.5% to the national GDP. Additionally, our standing in the E-Governance Development Index indicates room for significant improvement.
By comparison, India enjoys an industrial growth rate of 6.5%, invests 0.7% of its GDP in R&D, and boasts high-tech exports worth $30 billion. The Indian digital economy now contributes 8% to its GDP, supported by a strong e-governance framework that enhances transparency and efficiency. If Pakistan is to remain competitive, it must foster industrial and technological growth through strategic investment, digital expansion, and policy reforms that drive innovation.
On the global stage, Pakistan's rankings reflect deep-rooted challenges that hinder our ability to compete effectively. We are ranked 105th in the Global Innovation Index, 108th in the Ease of Doing Business Index, 110th on the Global Competitiveness Index, and 140th on the Corruption Perceptions Index.
India, on the other hand, ranks significantly higher – 40th in the Global Innovation Index, 63rd in Ease of Doing Business, 43rd in Global Competitiveness, and 85th in the Corruption Perceptions Index. These rankings underscore the need for structural reforms, improved governance, and enhanced transparency if Pakistan is to position itself as a competitive and innovative nation.
In light of these realities, it is clear that our focus should not be on defeating India but on overcoming the challenges of poverty, ignorance, disease, corruption, and economic stagnation. National strength lies in empowering every citizen, fostering innovation, and improving the overall quality of life.
It is through investments in education, expanding higher education opportunities, supporting research institutions, and encouraging STEM development that we will create a knowledgeable and skilled population ready to lead in a globalized world. Strengthening healthcare and social infrastructure must also become a priority, ensuring that every Pakistani has access to quality medical care, education, and basic amenities necessary for a dignified life.
Our economic future depends on driving technological and industrial innovation by increasing investment in research and development, expanding the digital economy, and fostering an entrepreneurial environment that supports high-tech exports and scientific advancement.
Over and above that, improving governance and institutional transparency is critical to enhancing our global competitiveness, fostering international partnerships, and attracting foreign investment. Environmental sustainability must also become an integral part of our national strategy, with increased investments in renewable energy and stronger policies to combat climate change and protect our natural resources.
History does not remember those who led through rivalry, but those who built nations through vision, progress, and unity. It is time to steer Pakistan toward a future defined not by comparison but by innovation, prosperity, and global respect.
The true measure of leadership is not how well we compete with others, but how effectively we uplift our own people. The responsibility to guide Pakistan toward this brighter future rests with you.
I urge you to lead us in focusing on progress, development, and unity - values that will not only strengthen our nation but ensure a legacy of dignity, growth, and success for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Mirza A.A. Baig
(A Concerned Citizen Committed to Pakistan's Progress)
