Karachi’s unpredictability makes its people unhappy

In the measurement of national and micro-level growth, indicators and indices being implemented have undergone a paradigm shift.

Previously, the trend was to focus merely on fiscal indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product. Focus then shifted from mere ‘statistics’ to the ‘people’ with the ground-breaking introduction of the Human Development Index (HDI), and the appearance of the first Human Development Report in 1990 with the motto that ‘the people are the wealth of a nation’.

The major credit for the visioning of HDI goes to our very own, the late Dr Mahboobul Haq, a former finance minister of Pakistan and an economist of global standing. HDI captures progress in three basic capabilities: to live a long and healthy life, to be educated and knowledgeable and to enjoy a decent standard of living. Now, as we go for more ‘inclusive’ and ‘equitable’ forms of growth, we have another indicator that prioritises the ‘happiness level’ of people.

In April 2012, the first UN high-level meeting on happiness and well-being was held. At the same time, the first World Happiness Report was published. The report’s methodology aims to measure happiness at two distinct levels: as an emotion (Were you happy yesterday?) and as an evaluation (Are you happy with your life as a whole?). This is a significant indicator, as happiness is an aspiration of every human being, and is increasingly being considered as a critical measure of social progress. The most recent World Happiness Report 2013 placed Pakistan at number 81 out of a total of 156 countries in its ranking of happiness globally.

What makes Karachi unhappy?

As the world tries to include happiness and well-being as indicators of growth, Pakistan and Karachi fall quite low in the listings. What makes us an unhappy country? And what are the trends associated with causes of ‘unhappiness’ in Karachi?

A clinical psychologist and social activist, Dr Nirmal Niazi, explained that much of the stress, anxiety and the associated state of unhappiness at the individual and community level have to do with the ‘unpredictable’ nature of the city - the continuing uncertainty in, for example, the law and order situation. This coupled with the ‘trust deficit’ that exists between the citizens and the service providers compounds the sense of insecurity and anxiety.

For example, if you are ‘mugged’ chances are that, instead of approaching the police for help, you will tell yourself that this was your ‘destiny’, feel a sense of relief that your life was spared and will eventually end up giving it a humorous twist. Whereas, the fact that something that belonged to you was forcibly taken away from you and you were helpless to do anything about it, leaves its scars that have long lasting impacts.

Another significant contributor to the raising of stress levels, she feels, is the constant bombardment of ‘negative’ news items in the media, particularly the electronic media. The fact that a local company is making footballs for the coming world cup in record time is not a major news item while any other news with even a slightly negative angle makes for banner headlines. This constant and aggressively communicated flow of negativity, she felt, is entering into the psyche of the people of the city, making them more insecure, anxious and pessimistic about the future of their city. As a result, there is an inherent feeling of unhappiness.

How to be happy?

Dr Niazi also pointed out a disturbing trend that is coming out of research conducted at the academic level — a growing lack of collective efficacy or the absence of community bonding and action. She felt that a lot of improvement can be brought about if people indulge individually and collectively in positive psychological exercises. They should focus on ‘positives’ rather than ‘negatives’, and organisations and schools can introduce such practices among their employees and students. Innovative techniques, such as art and music therapy, can have the double benefit of adding a skill dimension in addition to reducing stress.

There is no denying that much is wrong with the city. However, a collective effort to focus on the positives, strengthening a community spirit and engaging constructively with the service providers can contribute to making a dent in the overwhelming negativity that has engulfed the city of Karachi.

The writer is an urban planner and runs a non-profit organisation based in Karachi city focusing on urban sustainability issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2014.