Leaning on global uplift goals can lead to achieving local objectives

LAHORE: Policymakers should adopt globally accepted development goals that are designed to benefit all segments of society and revisit policies, which are only pauperising the poor and enriching the rich further.

Universally, the development goals anywhere in the world, aspire to eradicate poverty, eliminate hunger, promote health/wellbeing of the population, ensure quality education, and encourage gender equality. Also, availability of clean water and sanitation and adequate as well as affordable energy supply should also be guaranteed for all citizens.

Development is unsustainable without industry, innovation, and infrastructure. If the above targets are achieved the inequalities in the society would be removed.

There is also a need to build sustainable cities and communities. In view of the consumptive nature of our economy, it’s essential to create awareness among consumers about responsible consumption and manufacturers about responsible production. The government, the community, and the businesses would have to respect the purity of environment. Above all, growth needs peace, justice, and strong institutions.

If we look at our policies, concerning the poor, it is clear that poverty in the country is in a seesaw mode, going up and down periodically. Most of the population is living on the edge as any small misfortune like loss of job or prolonged illness means slipping below the poverty line.

Country’s main poverty alleviation scheme is Benazir Income Support Program worth Rs110 billion. It is, however, only maintaining status quo instead of eradicating poverty. As far as hunger is concerned, according United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Pakistan is designated among food scarce countries, despite producing enough to even feed a huge population of Afghan refugees. This brings into question the flaws in distribution of available food.

Health indicators of Pakistan are among the poorest in the region. Rates of infant/maternal mortality, children with stunted growth, and enteric disease are higher than India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

The public hospitals are underperforming, while private healthcare facilities are booming. In most cases the doctors performing their duties at government hospitals are also attending private clinics and hospitals. In terms of consultation and different medical procedures, they work more at private clinics in less than eight hours than they do during the same time at government hospitals.

There is a dire need for health reforms to ensure equal treatment to poor at public hospitals. At the same time private hospitals charge from Rs5000 to Rs20000/ day. The government should get 60 percent of the room charges from the hospitals.

There is still no equality in education. There should be the same syllabus from class one to ten for all schools in Pakistan. The syllabus of the government schools should be upgraded to match the high-fee-charging private schools. There should be a ban on teaching and awarding foreign high school certificates as is done in most countries.

The planners should also give priority to availability of clean drinking water at least. The efforts of the provincial governments are still not at the desired level. Pure drinking water would improve the general health of the population.

It would also reduce the incidence of enteric diseases in the country. In the same way poor sanitation conditions also propagate many communicable diseases including hepatitis C and typhoid.

These development goals should be at the heart of every development plan. The targets for improvement should be set and planners should ensure that these targets are achieved within five years. This will require strong institutions that are not polluted with political interference and a strong accountability system that checks wrongdoing at the start instead of closing the stable door after the horses has bolted.

Gender parity is another major issue in the country. We have to empower our women. Merit should ensure gender parity as has been the case in college and university education. It is because of merit that the number of girls enrolled in universities is higher than those of boys. The women should be given equal access to credit, jobs, and inheritance.