A Divided Society Built on Injustice
Pakistan is a deeply unequal society, where wealth, privilege, and opportunity are concentrated in the hands of a few, while millions struggle with poverty, discrimination, and exclusion. These divisions are not just economic—they are deeply tied to religion, caste, gender, ethnicity, and geography, creating a system where the marginalized remain vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and neglect.
Poverty and Powerlessness
Over a third of Pakistan’s population lives below the poverty line, with millions more on the edge of survival. Access to quality education, healthcare, and employment remains out of reach for large segments of society. For the rural poor, religious minorities, and oppressed castes, poverty is not just a lack of resources—it’s a lack of protection, voice, and basic dignity.
- Landless peasants face bonded labor and systemic abuse.
- Urban slum dwellers live in overcrowded, dangerous conditions with little government support.
- Women and girls from poor families suffer the harshest consequences of poverty, including child marriage, forced labor, and domestic violence.
Violence Rooted in Inequality
Social and economic inequalities are not just background conditions—they are drivers of violence. Disputes over land, status, or resources often turn deadly, especially when the poor or minorities are involved. Victims of this violence rarely receive justice, while the wealthy and powerful operate with impunity.
- Ethnic and sectarian violence often targets those already on the margins.
- Honor killings and gender-based violence disproportionately affect women in lower-income communities.
- State neglect and police corruption leave the poor with no recourse when violence strikes.
Structural Change for Justice
Inequality is not accidental—it is maintained by policies, institutions, and attitudes that protect privilege while dehumanizing the vulnerable. Challenging this system means demanding structural change, amplifying the voices of the oppressed, and building solidarity across lines of class, religion, and identity.
No society can be free or just while millions are denied basic rights and safety. Exposing and confronting social and economic inequality is essential to building a future grounded in dignity and equality for all.