ESSAY: THE MYTH OF ABUNDANCE

Published January 12, 2025
Illustration by Radia Durrani
Illustration by Radia Durrani

One of the great misheld beliefs amongst Pakistanis is that of abundance. This notion, deeply embedded in societal practices and institutional policies, assumes that there are enough, inexhaustible resources available for everyone and for the country to benefit from them.

Yet, as the realities of environmental degradation and resource depletion become more apparent, this belief reveals itself to be not only flawed, but dangerously misleading. It is this very belief that has shaped an extractionary relationship with resources, driving Pakistan towards crises across multiple fronts.

Pakistan’s history with its resources reveals a troubling pattern of exploitation, rooted in this belief in abundance. Whether it is natural resources such as gas, clean air, agricultural land or even human resources — such as its talented fast bowlers — the country’s approach has been characterised by relentless extraction and exploitation, and little regard for sustainability. This mindset lays bare the flaws in its relationship with resources, especially the environment.

AN EXTRACTIONARY SOCIETY

To understand Pakistan’s extractionary ethos, we must examine the origins of the idea of abundance. Historically, abundance has been equated with infinite availability, a notion reinforced by colonial-capitalist systems that treated natural and human resources as commodities.

Under this worldview, land, air, water and even labour were framed as inexhaustible assets to be exploited for profit and progress. This legacy was not only a feature of colonial administration, but it was also internalised in post-colonial governance, where short-term gains often trumped long-term sustainability. The idea of abundance was, and remains, deeply intertwined

From Sui gas to fast bowlers and the environment, Pakistan’s approach towards its resources is one of extraction as opposed to regeneration, which has placed the country on an unsustainable trajectory. We need to re-imagine our vision of the future…

with the belief that resources — both natural and human — exist to serve economic development, no matter the cost.

Take natural gas for instance. Discovered in the early 1950s, the reserves in Sui, Balochistan, were heralded as a national treasure. For decades, the resource was extracted at unsustainable levels (both at household and state level), with little effort to explore new reserves or diversify energy sources. The early 2000s policy of using natural gas for vehicular use intensified the rate of depletion. This approach assumed an endless supply of gas, ignoring the finite nature of the resource.

Today, the near-depletion of Sui’s reserves has left Pakistan reliant on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), which strains the national exchequer and exposes the country to volatile global energy markets. This depletion exemplifies how the myth of abundance fosters neglect, eroding the very foundations of sustainability.

This mindset extends beyond natural resources and the way we treat human resources in the country. Here, one needs not to look beyond the way our cricket board has treated fast bowlers in recent years.

Pakistan is celebrated for producing a steady stream of fast bowlers, often touted as natural talents. But, why is it then that we haven’t been able to produce fast bowlers in the past 20 years that have produced similar kinds of numbers as Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis?

One obvious reason is that these athletes are subjected to overwork, mismanagement and neglect, with little investment in their long-term well-being and healthcare. Much like natural resources, they are treated as commodities, discarded once their performance declines.

This cycle reflects a broader societal inability to appreciate and sustain what is valuable. Talent, similar to gas reserves, is treated as an endless supply, rather than a finite resource that requires care and stewardship.

PROFIT OVER PRESERVATION

The environment offers perhaps the most important example of the consequences of this mindset. Clean air and environment, a fundamental public good, has been treated as a limitless resource and the deteriorating air quality across Punjab underscores this neglect.

Despite overwhelming evidence that vehicular emissions are a leading cause of pollution, policy priorities have favoured infrastructure projects, such as flyovers, underpasses and signal-free corridors, which incentivise private car use. More cars on the road mean more emissions, meaning poorer air quality.

Investments in public transportation, which could significantly reduce emissions, remain inadequate. This systemic failure reflects the entrenched belief that the environment can endure endless exploitation. As a result, Lahore now ranks among the most polluted cities globally, with smog becoming a seasonal crisis that threatens public health and disrupts daily life.

This extractionary relationship — whether with natural gas, human talent or the environment — is rooted in a colonial-capitalist logic that prioritises profit over preservation. The legacy of colonialism, which commodified land, labour and resources, persists in the structures and policies of modern governance.

This worldview sees resources as separate from human and ecological systems, ignoring their interconnectedness. Such thinking not only accelerates depletion, but it also deepens social and environmental inequalities, as the burdens of such crises often fall on the most vulnerable.

REIMAGINING THE FUTURE

Moving away from this mindset requires a fundamental shift in how resources are perceived and managed. First, we as a country and society must confront the origins of our extractionary ethos. This involves acknowledging that our relationship with our environment is broken and needs to be reimagined. Acknowledging these roots can pave the way for alternative approaches that value sustainability and equity.

One such approach is to embrace the concept of planetary boundaries — the ecological thresholds within which humanity can operate safely. Recognising these limits can guide policy and planning, ensuring that resources are used responsibly and equitably. For example, urban planning must shift focus from car-centric infrastructure to sustainable public transportation systems that reduce emissions and improve air quality.

Cultural change is equally important. The myth of abundance must be replaced with a narrative of stewardship and interdependence.

Public awareness campaigns can play a critical role in fostering such a shift, educating citizens about the finite nature of resources and the importance of conservation. This cultural transformation must also extend to governance, where long-term planning and accountability must take precedence over short-term gains.

Ultimately, addressing Pakistan’s extractionary relationship with resources and its environment requires reimagining the nation’s future. This involves not only policy reforms, but also a broader philosophical shift that prioritises regeneration over extraction.

This does not mean rejecting development, rather redefining it. This involves rethinking progress not as the accumulation of wealth, but as the ability to live harmoniously within ecological limits.

The current trajectory is unsustainable. Our belief in abundance has led to the depletion of the country’s natural resources and degradation of our environment, undermining their long-term stability. Moving forward requires a collective commitment to stewardship, sustainability and equity.

The author is a Commonwealth Scholar at the University of Bristol in the UK

Published in Dawn, EOS, January 12th, 2025

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