The Uprising in Iran: lessons for Pakistan – By: Quratul Ain Tahira
A huge wave of protests over inflation, currency depreciation, and unemployment has rapidly spread across Iran, challenging the credibility of the current government. The protests were initiated by shopkeepers in Tehran, and within weeks, they turned into a nationwide uprising.
Hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens joined the protests to denounce the government.
The protests began on December 28, 2025, when the rial, the national currency, experienced a sharp depreciation against the U.S. dollar. In the open market, the rial was trading at 1.4 million to 1 USD. This acute devaluation of the national currency made citizens feel insecure, prompting them to take to the streets.
Currency depreciation led to high inflation. At the outset of the protests, the annual inflation rate was recorded at 42 percent, with some reports estimating inflation for food and essential goods as high as 70 percent. In other words, the economic outlook was bleak, and the people were frustrated.
Unemployment, particularly among the youth bulge, was increasing day by day, leaving fewer opportunities for the younger generation. For instance, on the eve of the protests, the youth unemployment rate was approximately 20–25 percent, while unemployment among young women was estimated at 30–35 percent. This lack of employment opportunities contributed to a growing trust deficit between the youth and the government.
As a result, the protests that began on the streets of Tehran quickly spread across the country, posing an existential threat to the government. Approximately 614 separate protest events were recorded in a single day across the country. More than two thousand people were killed, and over eighteen thousand were arrested by the authorities. It is considered one of the largest protest movements in the nation’s history since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Whether the government will survive these demonstrations remains uncertain, but the lessons can already be drawn.
For Pakistan, which is also facing critical economic conditions, high inflation, and massive youth unemployment, the Iranian uprising serves as a warning signal. Approximately 5.9 million people are unemployed in the country, and the youth unemployment rate is estimated at 15 percent. Inflation remains stubbornly in double digits. Furthermore, rising national debt and a lack of foreign direct investment (FDI) paint a bleak picture of Pakistan’s economy, raising serious concerns about the future of the country’s youth.
In light of the Iranian uprising, Pakistan must draw realistic conclusions and take decisive action to put the national economy back on track before it is too late. As the saying goes, “Act today-tomorrow may be too late.”
Author Short Bio:
Quratul Ain Tahira . A Political science student at the International Islamic University, Islamabad, with a keen interest in governance and international affairs.
