Why is Pakistan one of the poorest nations in the Islamic world? I would also add that economic performance tended to be better with the army in charge. Zia-ul-Haq and Musharraf are prime examples. Hence, I'm sceptical of the notion that Pakistan’s political institutions are uniquely bad in comparison with the rest of the Muslim world. My priors point towards cultural factors: Pakistan is still a largely rural, tribal society, like neighbouring Afghanistan. Indeed, there are more Pashtuns in Pakistan than Afghanistan - the two countries are more similar culturally than many think. India on the other hand has been much more adept at embracing globalisation and urbanisation, particularly in the South and near Mumbai. India yielding closer ties to the West, and having a much more globalised cultural mindset, likely helps. Also the floods will have exerted a large toll on Pakistan's economy.
What I've been reading on Substack
Why is Pakistan one of the poorest nations in the Islamic world? I would also add that economic performance tended to be better with the army in charge. Zia-ul-Haq and Musharraf are prime examples. Hence, I'm sceptical of the notion that Pakistan’s political institutions are uniquely bad in comparison with the rest of the Muslim world. My priors point towards cultural factors: Pakistan is still a largely rural, tribal society, like neighbouring Afghanistan. Indeed, there are more Pashtuns in Pakistan than Afghanistan - the two countries are more similar culturally than many think. India on the other hand has been much more adept at embracing globalisation and urbanisation, particularly in the South and near Mumbai. India yielding closer ties to the West, and having a much more globalised cultural mindset, likely helps. Also the floods will have exerted a large toll on Pakistan's economy.