In Pakistan, the discourse on national security often centres on the threat of terrorism, particularly from religious militant groups. However, an equally insidious threat looms large: economic violence. This term encompasses a range of systemic issues, from corruption and unemployment to inflation and inadequate public services that collectively inflict profound harm on the populace.

In many ways, economic violence — i.e. the systemic deprivation of economic resources and opportunities — undermines the fabric of society more deeply than the overt terror of militant groups, affecting millions of lives on a daily basis. It leads to widespread poverty, inequality and hardship. It is perpetuated by corrupt governance, flawed economic policies and entrenched socio-economic disparities. Unlike physical violence,........

© The Express Tribune