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Poverty in Pakistan is a
growing concern. Although the middle-class has grown in Pakistan, nearly
one-quarter of the population is classified poor as of October 2006. The
declining trend in poverty as seen in the country during the 1970s and 1980s
was reversed in the 1990s by poor federal policies and rampant
corruption.This phenomenon has been referred to as the poverty bomb.The
government of Pakistan with help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
has prepared an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper that suggests
guidelines to reduce poverty in the country. According to the World Bank,
the program has had tangible success, with the World Bank stating that
poverty has fallen by 5 percent since 2000.
As of 2006, Pakistan's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.539, higher than
that of nearby Bangladesh's 0.530, which was formerly a part of the country
itself. Pakistan's HDI still stands lower than that of neighbouring India's
at 0.611.
Incidences of poverty in Pakistan rose from 22–26% in the fiscal year 1991
to 32–35% in the fiscal year 1999. They have subsequently fallen to 25–26%
according to the reports of the World Bank and the UN Development Program
reports. These reports contradict the claims made by the Government of
Pakistan that the poverty rates are only 23.1%.The CIA factbook places the
2006 poverty rate at 24 percent.
Poverty and gender
The gender discriminatory practices in Pakistani society also shape the
distribution of poverty in the country. Traditional gender roles in Pakistan
define the woman's place as in the home and not in the workplace, and define
the man as the breadwinner. Consequently, the society invests far less in
women than men. Women in Pakistan suffer from poverty of opportunities
throughout their lives. Female literacy in Pakistan is 29% compared to Male
literacy at 55%. In legislative bodies, women constituted less than 3% of
the legislature elected on general seats before 2002. The 1973 Constitution
allowed reserved seats for women in both houses of parliament for a period
of 20 years, thus ensuring that women would be represented in parliament
regardless of whether or not they are elected on general seats. This
provision lapsed in 1993, so parliaments elected subsequently did not have
reserved seats for women. Reserved seats for women have been restored after
the election of 2002.Female labour rates in Pakistan are exceptionally low.
All this, coupled with the rise of honor killings against women, a legal
system that is regarded as misogynistic, and the intransigent denial of
these problems by the Pakistan government, as well as their
institutionalized harassment of women's rights groups operating in the
country, contribute to the deteriorating situation with women and the rise
in their poverty.
Feudalism
Pakistan is home to a large feudal landholding system where landholding
families hold thousands of acres and do little work on the agriculture
themselves. They enlist the services of their serfs to perform the labor of
the land. 51% of poor tenants owe money to the landlords. The landlords'
position of power allows them to exploit the only resource the poor can
possibly provide: their own labor.
Environmental Issues
Environmental problems in Pakistan, such as erosion, use of agro-chemicals,
deforestation etc. contribute to rising poverty in Pakistan. Increasing
pollution contributes to increasing risk of toxicity, and poor industrial
standards in the country contribute to rising pollution
Beggers use cell phones to beg
Beggers in Pakistan have turned to modern technology to beg and commit
frauds. Beggars are reportedly using mobile phones to acquire hefty alms in
the name of religion. As a matter of routine, they reportedly send messages
asking for a credit of Rs 10-100 (US $1 = Rs 60), offering in return a place
in paradise. One message reads, "I am a poor man and my daughter is admitted
to hospital. If you have faith in one God, please send me a credit of at
least Rs 10. God may reward you and take you out of all troubles," as
saying.
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