Achievability of MDG's in Pakistan

Where we stand in the achievement of MDGs:

The aim of the MDGs is to encourage development by improving social and economic conditions in the world's poorest countries. Basically, the MDGs are the steps for the achievement of welfare and progress in the economy. Pakistan, being an under developed country is also trying to achieve these targets. Are we really trying to achieve these targets? Where do we stand in the international ranking regarding the achievement of these targets?

The substantial improvement in the economy and stability in country during 2002-07 would have resulted in some improvement towards some of the MDG targets, but recently in 2010, there is likely to have been a slowing down of progress and even a reversal of the success achieved earlier. The first and foremost MDG target of eradicating poverty and hunger from the country is not being achieved by our government. Although poverty in Pakistan fell during 2002-06 on account of high growth, greater remittances, donor assistance and far greater fiscal space  during Pervaiz Musharaf era. The economy started slowing down in around 2008, the fall in Poverty slowed and, then, has increased in the last two years, largely because of slow economic growth, lower public sector development spending, and high inflation. The main cause of the failure of Goal 1 is the rise in inflation, which is due to rise in oil prices and devaluation in our currency. In order to achieve universal primary education, there are three core indicators, (a) net primary enrolment ratio; (b) survival from grade 1-5; and (c) the literacy rate. The net enrolment at primary level has remained below 60 percent until 2008-09. The MDG target of achieving 100 percent literacy by 2015 requires an increase of almost 40 percentage point in the next five years compared to 22 percentage point achieved in last ten years, which is practically impossible. Although the literacy rate has increased from 53 percent to 57 percent during 2004-05 and 2008-09 but Pakistan’s literacy rate will not meet the MDG target of 88 percent by 2015. These goals are linked with each other. The failure of achieving universal primary education is linked with poverty. People are unable to meet their basic needs, then how can they send their children for getting education. During Pervaiz Musharaf time period, a lot of expenditure was made on education. He gave many scholarships and tried to make children in rural areas to go to schools by issuing monthly scholarships. When the Zardari government came in power, these scholarships were cancelled. No further meaningful work has been done regarding the educational system. If these circumstances went on, we would never succeed in the achievement of universal primary education. The Goal 3 of MDG, promoting gender equality and empower women, is not just a goal but a legal right. Pakistan has made steady though slow progress with regard to the Gender Parity Index (GPI) for primary and secondary education. There is need to give awareness in rural areas. The MDG target of GPI in primary and secondary education was missed by Pakistan in 2005, that’s why the progress on this aspect is slow and we may not achieve the MDG target of gender parity in primary and secondary education by 2015. Coming to the Goal 5, reducing child mortality, several programs and policies have been made to improve child health. The major issue is to provide hygiene in the environment, pure water for drinking and proper sanitation system. Though the public health expenditure has been increased from 0.6 to 0.85 of the GDP, we have not made a tremendous progress in cleaning the environment and making these facilities available. Pakistan’s performance in achieving the desired MDG targets by 2015 is not up to the mark in case of the two indicators, the under 5 mortality rate and infant mortality rate. Though Pakistan has managed to lower the under 5 mortality rate still there is a need to reduce it by 42 percentage point during the next five years. Improving maternal health is the 5^th MDG target. The situation of maternal mortality has improved during last few years; MMR has declined substantially from 400 to 276 deaths per 100000 live births (LB) during 2004-07. However, in order to achieve the MDG target of 140 per 100000 live births will be challenging and require immense resources and efforts. The goal 6, combat with HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases, has made a progress and it seems possible that Pakistan will achieve its target by 2015 as booming HIV treatment can enable more effectual prevention. Ensuring environmental sustainability, which is the 7^th goal, seems to be achievable by 2015 as it is not too dependent on fiscal spending as do the other goals.  The biggest challenge of goal 8, developing a global partnership for development, will be to manage Pakistan’s external debt services, which have now reached $55 billion.

Pakistan’s location, both in terms of geography and development, has become and can remain a focal point for help and assistance to achieve all seven of its MDGs through progress in 8^th goal.  Here is the need of good, stable and sensible governance in Pakistan. Pakistan had lost enough in the war against terror, now there is the need of a revolution in real meanings.