In a historic debate at the prestigious Oxford Union, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal emerged as a leading voice for the Global South, challenging the structural inequities embedded within liberal democracy, according to an official statement issued on Friday.
Invited by the President of the Oxford Union, Israr Kakar, Iqbal articulated how liberal democracy has failed the developing world, exposing the double standards and systemic oppression that continue to hinder economic justice, political sovereignty, and climate equity for nations of the Global South.
The minister argued that liberal democracy, though championed as the ultimate model of governance, has in reality deepened inequality, fostered political instability, and reinforced economic subjugation rather than delivering on its promises of justice, prosperity, and equality.
He challenged the hypocrisy of Western democracies that preach democratic values while enabling authoritarian regimes, political suppression, and economic exploitation in the developing world.
He underscored the plight of Kashmiris and Palestinians, calling for the world to recognise their inalienable right to freedom and self-determination.
Iqbal further argued that post-World War II global institutions were never designed to empower the Global South but rather to control it through economic dependency and geopolitical manipulation.
Citing the collapse of the USSR as an event that was wrongly celebrated as a victory for liberal democracy, he pointed out that three decades later, the Global South remains entrapped in poverty, political suppression, and economic servitude — a direct result of rigged financial structures, trade barriers, and debt traps imposed by the Global North.
Citing Jason Hickel’s book The Divide, he revealed a stark reality: for every $1 in aid received by the Global South, it loses $14 through exploitative financial mechanisms such as debt repayment and profit repatriation.
He called out the injustice of intellectual property laws, which enabled the West to monopolise COVID-19 vaccines, leading to 1.3 million preventable deaths in the Global South, as critical medical patents were blocked in the name of corporate profits.
Highlighting the climate injustice perpetuated by liberal democracies, the minister reminded the audience that while the Global North contributes over 80% of historical carbon emissions, it is the Global South that pays the highest price.
He pointed to Pakistan’s 2022 climate catastrophe, where devastating floods caused $30 billion in damages, yet the so-called champions of democracy offered loans instead of grants, effectively forcing Pakistan to finance its own destruction.
He expressed dismay at the harsh reality where the promises of sustainable development have led to floods, droughts, and broken commitments, leaving developing nations to struggle while powerful states continue their exploitation unchecked.
Iqbal’s compelling arguments resonated deeply within the intellectually rigorous environment of Oxford Union, where global leaders, scholars, and students have long engaged in some of the world’s most significant debates.
The debate concluded with Iqbal’s stance gaining 180 votes in favor, while the opposition secured 145 votes, marking a remarkable victory for Pakistan and the Global South on an international platform.
