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Pakistan Studies · Class 10 · Chapter 10: Pakistan — A Welfare State

8 min

Key points

A welfare state is a state that provides social security and ensures the basic needs of all citizens including food, shelter, education, healthcare and employment
Pakistan was conceived as a welfare state based on Islamic principles of social justice, equality and brotherhood
Article 38 of Pakistan's Constitution directs the state to provide basic necessities of life to all citizens
Zakat and Ushr system in Pakistan helps redistribute wealth and supports the poor and needy
Free education up to matric level is a fundamental right under Article 25-A of the Constitution
Pakistan has established institutions like Bait-ul-Maal, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
Healthcare facilities are provided through government hospitals, rural health centers and basic health units across the country
Employment opportunities are created through various government schemes and vocational training programs
Social security schemes include Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and Workers Welfare Fund

Definitions

Welfare State: A welfare state is a state in which the government undertakes the responsibility for the welfare of its citizens by providing social security and ensuring their basic needs are met.
Zakat: Zakat is a compulsory religious tax levied on Muslims having wealth above a certain limit (Nisab) to help the poor and needy.
Ushr: Ushr is a religious tax on agricultural produce levied at the rate of 5% or 10% depending on the method of irrigation used.
Social Security: Social security refers to the protection provided by the state to its citizens against economic hardship arising from unemployment, old age, sickness or disability.

Worked example

Define welfare state and explain how Pakistan is working towards becoming a welfare state. (6 marks)

A welfare state is a system of government in which the state plays a key role in protecting and promoting the economic and social well-being of its citizens. Pakistan is working towards becoming a welfare state through: (1) Constitutional provisions in Articles 37-40 ensuring basic necessities, education, and healthcare (2) Institutions like Bait-ul-Mal, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, and Benazir Income Support Program (3) Free education initiatives and health insurance schemes (4) Zakat system for wealth redistribution. Pakistan follows Islamic welfare principles while establishing modern welfare mechanisms.

Common mistakes

Students confuse Zakat rate (2.5%) with Ushr rates (5% or 10%)
Writing Article 25 instead of Article 25-A for right to education
Mixing up the functions of BISP and PPAF
Not mentioning constitutional articles when discussing welfare measures
Forgetting to include Islamic principles as basis of Pakistan's welfare state concept

Quick recap

A welfare state ensures citizens' economic and social well-being through government action. Pakistan's Constitution (Articles 37-40) mandates welfare provisions. Key institutions include Bait-ul-Mal, BISP, and Zakat system. Pakistan combines Islamic welfare principles with modern welfare mechanisms to achieve welfare state objectives.

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