LAHORE: Pakistan has long experienced an unequal allocation of resources, with more developed regions — such as Punjab’s urban centres, Karachi, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — receiving a disproportionate share of infrastructure, education, and healthcare funding.
In contrast, the least developed regions, including Balochistan, rural Sindh and southern Punjab, are often neglected. Major urban centres and politically influential areas tend to secure more funding and development projects, while remote and less politically connected regions remain overlooked.
The National Finance Commission (NFC) award primarily distributes federal resources based on population size, favouring more populated provinces like Punjab while failing to consider backwardness as a key criterion. Regions that contribute more to the national economy, such as Karachi -- Pakistan’s economic hub -- often receive a larger share of development funds, while resource-rich but economically weaker provinces like Balochistan remain deprived.
Conflict-affected regions, such as parts of Balochistan and the erstwhile Fata, see limited development due to security concerns, making them less attractive for investment and government projects. Developed regions benefit from better roads, energy supply and digital connectivity, attracting further investment, whereas underdeveloped areas remain trapped in a cycle of deprivation due to a lack of basic facilities.
As a result of this development disparity, Balochistan and rural Sindh have some of the highest rates of illiteracy, child mortality and malnutrition. A lack of industrialisation and investment has also led to limited employment opportunities, forcing migration to urban centres. This sense of deprivation has fuelled political grievances, sometimes leading to instability and demands for greater provincial autonomy.
The solution lies in allocating funds based on development needs rather than just population size. Strengthening local governance and allowing provinces to control more of their own resources is crucial. Targeted investment in road networks, electricity and industrial zones in underdeveloped regions is necessary. Addressing these disparities is vital for ensuring national cohesion and economic stability in Pakistan.
Development should aim to provide equal facilities to all, regardless of financial status. However, in Pakistan, provincial and district governments often prioritise upgrading infrastructure in affluent localities while neglecting slums due to several structural, political and economic factors.
Wealthier areas house influential individuals, politicians, bureaucrats and business elites who have direct access to decision-makers. Political leaders and government officials often reside in these areas, leading to prioritised infrastructure and services. Moreover, affluent neighbourhoods generate more revenue through property taxes, business activity and real estate, encouraging authorities to reinvest in them. Investors and developers also prefer areas where property values can appreciate, reinforcing the cycle of investment in elite localities.
On the other hand, slum dwellers, labourers, and low-income groups lack organised representation and lobbying power to demand better services. Their votes are often taken for granted in elections, with many political parties resorting to temporary appeasement — such as distributing free rations — rather than implementing long-term development initiatives.
Government projects are frequently driven by kickbacks and contracts, favouring areas where large budgets can be justified. Funds allocated for slum improvement are often misused or diverted to other projects. Slums are frequently regarded as “illegal settlements” with unclear land titles, enabling authorities to exclude them from formal development plans.
Municipal bodies, already underfunded, prioritise visible projects in elite areas rather than long-term investments in slum rehabilitation. Authorities believe that enhancing elite areas attracts investors, tourists and businesses, while slums are often associated with crime and urban decay. Consequently, posh localities receive better law enforcement and surveillance, while slums remain neglected.
Poor sanitation and a lack of clean water in slums contribute to the spread of diseases. Children in these areas have limited access to quality education, restricting their future economic mobility. Deprivation breeds frustration, often leading to crime and social instability.
There is an urgent need to allocate development funds based on necessity rather than tax revenue generation. Slums should be regularised and recognised as legal settlements, with investment in roads, water, and electricity. Local governments must be strengthened with direct funding for community-driven projects. Strict accountability measures should be in place to ensure municipal budgets are spent transparently and equitably. Without addressing these disparities, Pakistan risks deepening social inequalities, leading to long-term economic and political instability.