So PK was labeled as a failed state sometime back by the West at least unofficially and now Mian Sahib has called her a failed state as well. IMO he and his posies have played a key role in getting PK to where it is now. You can argue if it is or it is not and what is the technical definition of “failed state” until everyone is blue in the face but bottom line is it is a bleak picture.
Security – some areas better than others but in general quite bad and it has been getting worse with every passing moment
Justice – haven’t really seen much of it, may be it exists in some corridors but not for the majority
Economy – never seen much of it at least since I have been around. With current economic mess around the globe, terrorism, lack of investment in infrastructure & industry, loss of agricultural edge, etc. working-class is feeling the pinch or more like a dog bite
Education – business not an investment in the future generation with exception of few institutions mostly poor quality. No focus on re-tooling the labor force for modern economy/times.
Corruption – rampant and norm. Be it military, civilian govt., Maulvis, NGOs, cops, courts, teachers, linemen, you name it.
Terrorism – goes with security but also the other aspect is foreign affairs. Foreign pressures, internal pressures, lack of strategy, unwillingness on part of political parties to take hard decision to save their own necks and much much more
Can’t fix economy by borrowing from Sheikhs and Kings and IMF. Can’t give Justice to masses by restoring old judges. Can’t fix corruption by putting everyone in Jail. Can’t fix terrorism by dropping bombs. So the question is what will it take to save it from being a “failed state”?