Poverty Alleviation
Related topics: Poverty Reduction; Poverty Control; Causes of Poverty
Outline:
1. Introduction: Poverty is a multi-faceted phenomenon.
2. Pakistan is also rendered among the poor countries.
3. Poverty level varies from province to province.
4. Many loopholes in poverty alleviation.
5. Lack of good governance is a factor of poverty.
6. Changes to be on the micro and macro level.
7. Conclusion: Good governance to be ensured to alleviate poverty.
Poverty is a multi-faceted phenomenon manifesting itself in a cruel circle of low income, poor education, lack of health facilities, unequal distribution of wealth and poor infrastructure. The goal for human development is to increase human capabilities and the level of choices. This will results in a benign and better environment in which humans are given sovereignty and respect. Due to rapid globalization, the dominant countries not only influence the policy making of poor countries but also exploit them with the tools of tariff and quotas. This widens the gap between the rich and the poor countries of the world.
Pakistan is also rendered among the poor countries. The situation of poverty is deteriorating rapidly. Many factors are responsible for this influx of poverty. The country has been facing political turmoil and shutdowns. People have been elected on the basis of their caste and their pervasive influence on the society, uncountable wealth earned from huge and tremendous corruption. The amendments of different political figures couldn't stabilize the pulse of dying politics. Successive military dictatorship, debacle of Dacca, fragile institutions and lack of political maturity are some of the factors that have aggravated the economy of the country. Today the nation suffers hunger, lack of clean water, lack of health care, huge amount of debt burden, unequal distribution of wealth, unemployment, inflation and irrigation with water problems. Nuclear tests of May 28 1998, 9/11 incident of World Trade Center and the war in Afghanistan have all had negative consequences like cancellation of export orders (most from US), suspension of cargo and passenger flight. Another bitter reality is that for past three fiscal years, 2.5 million people added to the rank of unemployment, in this atmosphere of political unrest poverty alleviation is like asking for the moon.
Pakistan has a population of 180 million out of which 40% lives below the poverty level. Funds have been allocated on various projects for the improvement of infrastructure and communications but nothing meaningful has been achieved so far. In Pakistan, the poverty level varies from province to province; NWFP has the highest rural and urban poverty followed by Punjab. Another obstacle in the way of poverty alleviation is that funds are given net for the purpose of poverty alleviation but to obey the foreign donor and to say yes to them.
Poverty alleviation is also disturbed because of the loopholes of ineffective policy making, bureaucracy (red-tapism) and political instability in the system. It is commonly said that the signing of poverty alleviation and growth facilities program for the assistance of 1 billion dollars is also need of the time. In this regard, government hit two birds with one stone, fulfilling the foreign reserve shortage and for poverty alleviation. The reality is that, policies for poverty alleviation and other social developmental programs are half-baked Poverty alleviation and growth facility is a buzzword.
The international godfathers are also insisting on eradicating child labor which is not possible because in countries like Pakistan child labor is indispensable. A child may be the only earning hand of his family. Eradicating child labor means increasing level of poverty and unemployment. Lack of good governance is also a factor, which has been contributing in increasing poverty.
Therefore, it is important to bring changes on the micro and macro level. Easy access to education, health and food should be given to the poor. If Pakistan is able to create an abiding peace with its neighbors, it can become a favorite destination of direct finance investment (DFI) and if this happens it will reduce the poverty and social deprivation.
To eradicate poverty from its roots, we have to fight against corruption, improve governance, ensure transparent use of funds, and improve the police and judicial system. Greater access and maximum trade is also important for poverty reduction. Government should take honest, practical and firm steps in this regard and it should deal the problem of poverty with iron hand, so we switch towards prosperity and insure better future for our coming generations.
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