Pakistan under Trammel of Poverty

              

Besides many other issues that hamper the growth and development of Pakistan, Poverty is considered the most evident and major issue for the government of Pakistan, affecting millions of people across the country. Before we will discuss poverty being a big issue in proving a peaceful and comfortable life to the population of Pakistan, it is essential that we should understand what Poverty means. Poverty is about not having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing, and shelter. Poverty refers to the lack of adequate financial resources such that individuals, households, and entire communities don't have the means to subsist or acquire the basic necessities for a flourishing life. This means being so poor as to struggle to obtain food, clothing, shelter, and medicines.

We can define poverty as the condition where the basic needs of a family, like food, shelter, clothing, and education are not fulfilled. It can lead to other problems like poor literacy, unemployment, malnutrition, etc. A poor person is not able to get an education due to a lack of money and therefore remains unemployed. Poverty can also limit access to educational and employment opportunities, which further contributes to income inequality and perpetuates the cyclical effects of poverty. Unmet social needs, environmental factors, and barriers to accessing health care contribute to worse health outcomes for people with lower incomes.

                

In Pakistan Poverty is a fact of life for most of its people. The main cause of Pakistan's poverty rate is the fact that many Pakistanis lack basic human rights. Many Pakistanis, often women and children, are begging in the streets throughout their country. Pakistan faces two types of poverty:

1: Absolute poverty in Pakistan: It refers to a situation where individuals or households lack access to basic necessities, such as food, clean water, shelter, and healthcare. It is a condition whereby people are unable to meet their basic needs and live below the poverty line. In Pakistan, poverty is a significant issue, and a considerable portion of the population lives in absolute poverty.

2: Relative poverty in Pakistan: It simply refers to a situation where an individual or a family's income or standard of living is below the average income or standard of living in their society.

Despite various efforts by the government and non-governmental organizations, poverty remains a pressing issue in Pakistan. Here I will discuss the causes and consequences of poverty in Pakistan, as well as some possible solutions.

Causes of Poverty in Pakistan: There are several factors that contribute to poverty in Pakistan.

1: First and foremost, the country is facing a severe economic crisis, which has led to high rates of unemployment and inflation.

2: Furthermore, the lack of investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare has made it difficult for people to find decent jobs and access basic services.

3: Another major factor is the high population growth rate, which has put a strain on the country's resources and made it difficult for the government to provide basic services to everyone.

4: Additionally, the country has been plagued by political instability and corruption, which has further weakened its economy and made it difficult to address poverty.

Consequences of Poverty in Pakistan:

The consequences of poverty in Pakistan are severe, affecting not only the poor but also the country as a whole. Poverty has led to a lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, which has resulted in high rates of infant mortality and disease. Additionally, poverty has led to a lack of education and job opportunities, which has perpetuated the cycle of poverty and made it difficult for people to improve their economic situation. Moreover, poverty has also contributed to social unrest and violence in the country. Crime rates are high in the most poverty-stricken areas, as people resort to illegal means to make ends meet.

To address poverty in Pakistan, several measures need to be taken. The government needs to invest in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, which will create jobs and provide basic services to the people. Additionally, the government needs to focus on controlling population growth, which will help to alleviate the strain on the country's resources. Moreover, there is a need to address corruption and promote political stability, which will attract more foreign investment and create a conducive environment for economic growth. Lastly, the government needs to promote social welfare programs that provide assistance to the most vulnerable sections of society. Conclusion: In conclusion, poverty remains a major challenge for Pakistan. While the government and non-governmental organizations are working towards alleviating poverty, much more needs to be done to address this issue. Poverty not only affects the poor but also has severe consequences for the country as a whole. Therefore, it is essential that all stakeholders work together to find solutions to this pressing issue.

Possible Solutions: There are numerous ways that Pakistan can work towards alleviating poverty in the future. The government needs to invest in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, which will create jobs and provide basic services to the people. Here are a few suggestions which may result in poverty elevation & reduction in Pakistan:

a. Increasing access to education: Education is one of the most powerful tools for reducing poverty, as it provides people with the skills and knowledge, they need to improve their lives. By improving access to education in Pakistan, particularly for girls and women, we can help to break the cycle of poverty.

                             

 b. Creating job opportunities: In order to reduce poverty, we need to create more job opportunities, particularly in the rural areas of Pakistan. This can be achieved through the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, investment in infrastructure, and the development of new industries.

c. Providing social protection: Many of the poorest people in Pakistan lack social protection, such as access to healthcare, housing, and other basic services. By providing social protection programs, we can help to support these vulnerable communities and reduce poverty.

d. Empowering women: One of the key drivers of poverty in Pakistan is gender inequality. By empowering women through education, training, and access to economic opportunities, we can help to reduce poverty and improve the overall well-being of communities. These are just a few of the solutions that can be implemented to address absolute poverty in Pakistan. By working together and implementing these measures, we can help to create a more just and equitable society for all.

e. Promoting economic growth: The government can promote economic growth by investing in infrastructure, attracting foreign investment, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

f. Providing access to basic services: Access to basic services such as healthcare, clean water, and sanitation can go a long way in reducing poverty.

                    

g. Social safety nets: The government can provide social assistance to those who are unable to meet their basic needs. Social safety nets can take the form of cash transfers, food subsidies, or other forms of social assistance.

h. Encouraging Entrepreneurship: Encouraging entrepreneurship and small business growth can help create more jobs and boost the economy. Providing support and resources to small businesses can help them grow and create more job opportunities.

i. Improvements in infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply can help increase economic activity and improve living standards. This can lead to more job opportunities and a reduction in poverty.

j. Promoting Financial Inclusion: Providing access to financial services such as savings accounts, insurance, and credit can help reduce poverty by allowing individuals to save, invest, and access financial resources to build their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

In short, we can say that there is no magic solution to poverty reduction, but by implementing some of these strategies, Pakistan can work towards a more prosperous and equitable future for all. Let’s pray that “May Allah bless our country economically and may we have political stability in the country so that we get rid of the curse of poverty and may the people of Pakistan life a comfortable life and come out of the shackles of aid and loans.” Long live Pakistan!!!!!

By: OVAIS ASAD KHAN