There is a lot that needs to be done to eliminate poverty
LAHORE: Social safety net is provided in all societies by the government and higher authorities, not only to safeguard the interests of the underprivileged and poor but also to those who have the risk of falling below the poverty line due to a natural calamity or disaster.
In developing countries, such as Pakistan, the importance of social safety nets increases manifold. No country can develop in this world until all the segments of its society grow equally. The gap between haves and have-nots increases if social safety net is not provided. They can be in the form of free universal heathcare or financial assistance.
In Pakistan, there are only a few such nets that are provided by the government or third party benefactors, such as Baitul Mal assistance or Benazir Income Support Programme. In view of the rising rate of poverty, expenditures in respect of social safety net have increased almost 300 per cent. Families covered under these networks have increased from 3.7 million to 5.45 million.
According to an estimate, 39 per cent of Pakistan’s population is living below the poverty line, which translates into more than 55 million people in a population of about 200 million. This is quite alarming for our economic institutions. There is a lot that needs to be done to eliminate poverty. Employment generation through small and medium enterprises and mega projects, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, can play a vital role in diminishing poverty but only if the government is willing to do so.
Nazia Jabeen
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2017.
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