This refers to a report in the press regarding poverty in Pakistan. According to the report, the World Bank has projected Pakistan’s poverty rate at 25.30 per cent, indicating more than 60 million people are living in the cruel clutches of poverty. How unfortunate! And after the recent floods and glacial outbursts witnessed in three provinces and the federal capital territory, there is little doubt that in the months ahead, the country’s poverty headcount may well reach 63-65 million.
Since 2020, poverty has risen in the country. Therefore, political stability is the first and foremost requisite, followed by targeted interventions in the job, commerce, healthcare, population control, SME and funds transfer programmes so that both funds transfers and capacity building activities are geared up to serve the poor and assist the government in the crucial task of poverty reduction and alleviation in both short and long-term. As the report mentions, “better data systems for decision making” is another very important factor. In this regard, NADRA, BSIP and other socio-welfare organisations can play a key role in identifying individuals and families living under the poverty line.
The government needs to prioritise its efforts to fighting poverty more aggressively.
Abbas R Siddiqi
Lahore
