Vulnerability index

There are no two opinions that developmental mosaic in Pakistan is lopsided, and regions of the country are not dealt with equally by policymakers. A government report that studied the availability of basic civic amenities has revealed that Balochistan and K-P are vulnerable to the core, whereas Punjab is comparatively well-developed.

The human development index exposes deep gaps in housing, livelihoods, health and education, despite higher provincial revenues, and this is where one can squarely go on to blame governance for the pathetic situation faced by the populace. The vulnerability further soars owing to pestering unemployment, and lack of commutation and communication facilities.

The study, funded by a UK concern, should serve as a basic document for government and policymakers as they go on to plan their priorities, and at the same time sit in introspection as to how and why they have failed so miserably. It is a pity that 11.3% of people live in 20 most vulnerable districts, and a majority is denied even clean drinking water as well as sanitation services. Education, safe housing and other amenities such as electricity and gas are mostly privileged stuff that most of the people in K-P and Balochistan can only dream of.

That is tantamount to denial of fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution, and is a crime, per se. One of the basic policy recommendations – transfer of funds directly to the districts – is worth implementing. This substantiates the argument of empowered local governments, an aspect that is widely lacking countrywide despite explicit constitutional directives. The report rightly goes on to question the implementation of NFC award, and the ill-will through which finances are maneuvered.

A UNDP's 2025 study had painted a similar picture of Pakistan by placing it in "low" human development category, with a ranking of 168th out of 193 countries. The worrisome aspect is that the value of HDI was 0.544, which is declining with each passing year. With population growth rate at 2.55%, Pakistan is in dire need of an astutely choreographed developmental plan, one that is free from parochialism.