PHOTO: FILE
“Grassroot democracy can help end rural poverty at a faster pace,” Malik said at the launching of his book at Iqbal International Institute for Research and Development (IRD) of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).
Villages should be empowered through education and social and economic development to resolve their local issues, he said.
Malik, a former student of IIUI alumni, claimed that the number of people who could be declared ‘poor’ in Pakistan is 80 million and out of this total 70 million were living in villages.
No government succeeded to overcome poverty in the country in the last 70 years, he added. “Currently, our system is supporting status quo introduced by the British colonists to rule the poor,” he said. The incoming government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is in the favour of changing the decaying system, but it has to face challenges in this regard.
Why poverty hasn’t reduced significantly in Pakistan
"I took help from Chinese and Korean models of development to curb poverty," he informed.
The country has more than 60 per cent of youth population but no plan to absorb them in jobs.
A burgeoning unemployed youth population can lead to a rise in crime rate and worsening law and order situation.
Political Analyst Dr Noor Fatima said the concept of villages' transformation is interesting thing which has been highlighted by the writer. She said that transformation of villages' concept started in 1960 during the era of green Pakistan.
IIUI Sharia Department Vice President Dr Munir said the book highlights genuine and true problems and their resolutions in the transforming villages.
IRD Executive Director Dr Husnul Amin said: "We will try to make the book a part of political discussion.”
Head of Sociology Department IIUI Dr Hazir Ullah presented his views rural urban divide. APP
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