Pakistan recently underwent
significant political and structural reforms, moving towards
macro-economic stability, debt management, revival of the democratic
process with increased women’s representation, major institutional
reforms with emphasis on devolution and decentralization, significant
progress in information technology, reduction in population growth, and
food grain self-sufficiency, which has been maintained for the past
several years. Efforts to combat corruption and improve law and order have
been firmly established.
The nation has demonstrated resilience in dealing with the challenges
posed by drought, the impact of the Afghan crisis, influx of refugees and
the 11 September aftermath. While the difficult regional security
situation has led to a diversion of scarce development resources to
defence, Pakistan has striven to resolve issues according to the
principles of the United Nations Charter, as indicated in the common
country assessment (CCA).
With a human development index of 0.498 in 1999, Pakistan ranked 127
out of a total of 162 countries, and with a gender-related development
index of 0.466 in 1999 it ranked 117 out of a total of 146 countries,
according to the Human Development Report 2001. According to government
estimates in 2000, 34 per cent of the population lives below the poverty
line, while the cost of environmental degradation was estimated at 4.3 per
cent of GDP in 1998. Although there has been some improvement in women’s
status over the last several years, the position of women in Pakistan
remains weak and gender disparities are reflected in all social
indicators. As a result of its debt burden, low revenue base and recent
low growth rates, Pakistan has not been able to invest adequately in human
development.
Public investments in the 1990s focused mainly on infrastructure.
Private education and health services are common but expensive, whereas
public services are inadequate, particularly in rural areas and for women
and girls. Social regression, land degradation and unemployment have
further reduced. resources available to the poor. It is recognized that
the answer to these problems lies in improving the quality of governance,
making make it more inclusive and participatory; strengthening systems of
accountability and transparency; promoting citizens’ involvement in
decisions that influence their lives; and strengthening the role of the
Government in facilitating development.
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