Pakistan is home of more than 208 million population with diverse cultures and ethnicities. It is an agriculture based economy and also exports major items to other nations that earn handsome revenues. Despite all major exports of commodities such as cotton, maize, jute, the social fabric of Pakistan is miserably faced with shortages of essential commodities, food crisis, high rates of inflation and hoarding, which are directly linked to poor economic infrastructure and low HDI. Moreover, economic policies shaped by Economic Advisory Council (EAC) and other institutions remain paper work only. Hence the fact remains that more than 40 percent people are living below the poverty line in Pakistan.
Furthermore, stakeholders on board show their negligence, when the question of implementation of economic policies comes to head. For instance, black-marketing, hoarding and extra-profiteering are directly contributing to an economic collapse and low GDP growth. How can the common man contribute to socio-economic development, when he is economically starved and socially scared? How can Pakistani youth bring qualitative change in case of unemployment and low-wage rate? These are some indispensable questions that need to be addressed on time.
Contrarily, donations for dams and other projects are voluntary initiatives and these are good efforts up to great extent, but will our general public benefit from these? Moreover, the policies for water conservation, crops production, eliminating hoarding and black-marketing should be made at larger perspective leaving controversies aside, then, we would be able to feed our masses and take our nation to the zenith of prosperity. It is the prime onus of EAC to revamp economic infrastructure by introducing reforms such as incorporating simplicity, avoiding wastage of food and contamination of water. Moreover, prices of eatable commodities should be brought down in the light of price control Act 1997 and committee of special ‘Price magistrates’ should be formed, so that GDP may be increased, along with HDI.
There is no denying the fact that improved economic infrastructure would naturally cure all ills being faced by Pakistan, such as malnutrition, poor health, burgeoning contagious diseases etc. According to the National Nutrition Survey, 33percent of all children were under weight, nearly 44percent were stunted, and 33percent were anaemic (Iron deficiency). In the last two decades, there has been little reduction in the prevalence of child malnutrition in Pakistan, as compared to other developing countries. The ministry of finance as well as local government should address key issues such as Low-wage rage rate, poor HDI and bad culture of highly centralized economic systems.
According to the National Nutrition Survey, 33 percent of all children were under weight, nearly 44 percent were stunted, and 33 percent were anaemic. There has been little reduction in the prevalence of child malnutrition in Pakistan, as compared to other developing countries
Moreover, GDP growth has been a bone of contention among major stakeholders as well as for governance apparatus, but unfortunately Pakistan still lags behind the expectations of the general public due to multiple reasons. The first factor responsible for minimal revenues generation can be attributed to poor HDI, inept policies of politicians, rampant unemployment and neglecting children protection at large. For example, India’s GDP growth is far better than that of Pakistan, at 7.5-7.6 percent in its first quarter of this financial year . Further, sectors contributed to achieve highest growth include manufacturing, electricity, gas and water supply and other general services that directly enhance its HDI. So, Pakistan should also discourage theft of electricity and make sure generation of revenues from providing general services at affordable charges.
Putting these initiatives into practical steps would improve our GDP. Most importantly, Human development Index combines four simple measures: life Expectancy at birth, gross national income, average years of education and expected years of school. Furthermore, the basic purpose of HDI for which it was created in 1990, was to capture changes in developing countries’ quality of living. But sadly, in case of Pakistan that situation is grim due to stunted growth and drop- of -out children and low wages that are detrimental to social well- being. But there is a saying “When life throws you lemons make lemonade”. The first step is to take all major stakeholders into full confidence and bring substantial changes that guarantee the realization of prosperity in the globalised world. Secondly, the curse of circular debt should be reduced by making recoveries on urgent basis. Thirdly the persons involved in hoarding, black-marketing and extra-profiteering be awarded strict punishment. In the same way, measures required for government are that utility facilities should be provided to every household, so tax net may be increased up to great extent.
Last but not least, instead of cursing national institutions and its delivery processes, initiatives should be taken at local level to contribute to development and incorporating simplicity, equality, moderation, harmony and tranquillity in the very mind-set of our new generation.
The author is a freelance writer based in Hyderabad
Published in Daily Times, September 30th 2018.