Poverty in Pakistan: causes, effects and solutions
“In a well-governed country, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a poorly governed country, wealth is something to be ashamed of.” (Chinese proverb)
Poverty in Pakistan is one of the hottest topics. As of 2010, “about 40 percent of the total population lived below the poverty line” (World Bank). It means that more than a third of the total population or, in other words, about 70 million out of 180 million people live below the poverty line. History shows that there was a decreasing rate of poverty in the 1970s and 1980s. However, from the 1990s to today, poverty is on an increasing trend. This phenomenon has been called POVERTY BOMB.
The main reasons for poverty in Pakistan are destabilization of democracy, rampant corruption, rapid population growth, sorry state of education sector, ineffective management of natural resources, feudalism, runaway inflation, etc. In addition to these national factors, there are some international factors that have added fuel to the fire. Like the global financial crisis, rising oil prices, the global food crisis, etc.
“Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn’t commit.” (Eli Khamaroff)
EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON SOCIETY
1. Child labor
CHILD LABOR IN PAKISTAN
The first and most immediate effect of poverty in Pakistani society is that people do not send their children to school. As we know that “THE CHILD IS THE FATHER OF TOMORROW”, if our child wears out like this, not only our Society but also the Country will face problems in the future. Today in Pakistan about 4 million children in the age group 5-14 years work (Federal Statistical Office).
This is the poverty that forces them to work in the formative years in very risky places, that is, underground mines, work with live electrical cables of more than 50 V, cement industry, tobacco processing and manufacturing, etc.
2. Deviate from moral and religious values
“No man can worship God or love his neighbor on an empty stomach.” (Woodrow-T. Wilson)
From the above quote we can very easily understand what people are doing in the state of poverty. They did not care about Moral or Religious value. What is good for them is what meets their wants and needs.
3.Crimes and Violence
Crime and violence are the direct effect of poverty in Pakistan. The most common form of human trafficking is for prostitution (violence), which is largely fueled by poverty. According to a survey, most poor men abuse their wives for income. They force the women of their families to earn something even by selling their bodies. Street crime is also the ultimate effect of poverty in Pakistan.
4. Health problems
Poor people are suffering from so many diseases. They do not have enough resources for treatment. This is why Pakistan is ranked 135th out of 194 countries in the Life Expectancy at Birth Index. In Pakistan, the life expectancy rate at birth is very low, ie 65 years. Whereas, in Western countries it is more than 80 years, i.e. Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Switzerland, Iceland, etc.
5. Lives below standard
By looking at the above factors, one can very easily understand that the overall effect of poverty in Pakistani society is that they live a substandard life.
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