Critique of National Sustainable Development Strategy

Sustainable development brings together the concern for carrying capacity of

natural systems and resources of a nation with the social challenges facing
humanity. There are more than one definition sustainable growth or development.
If we draw more inclination towards environment it means to meet the needs of
the present without interrupting the ability or resources of future generation to
meet their own needs. Likewise if we think keeping the economic growth in mind
sustainable development is the pattern of development that permits future
generations to live at least as the current generation. There are more concepts of
sustainable development but the ones mentioned in the document revolve around
these two. No doubt it is a fact that future growth and quality of life of citizens of a
nation are critically dependent on the quality of environment (air, water, and waste
etc) and the natural resources (fertile land, minerals, and technology). Therefore,
it is necessary to draft and execute a strategy that presents more of a hybrid model
to create sustainable avenues for the present and future generations. This
document provides context, problems, strategies, and implementation mechanism
of relevant dimensions to achieve sustainable development goals that are set for
future.
The dilemma faced by Pakistan is that most of the developing nations face that
pertains the nation to develop economically first and then taking care of the
environment later as it is quite an expensive and rigorous process to do the both
things simultaneously. Pakistan along with many countries is facing rapid
urbanization leading to untenable pressure on natural resources such as lands,
forest, water, air etc. This all pressurized the world and demanding a rethink
globally. The “green economy” model is introduced globally to overcome these
challenges. The NSDS, provides a country driven future blue print for the model. It
has to be appreciated that economic growth and development in Pakistan over the
past decade has faced certain unique and unprecedented challenges which are in
addition to the global stresses brought on by the financial crisis and the rampant
fuel and food commodities inflation. This has dampened Pakistan’s economic
growth and is a direct threat to sustainability. In addition to these difficulties
constrained upon Pakistan, its economic development is assailed with huge
inefficiencies, especially in the water, agriculture and energy areas, which are
putting an avoidable and unjustifiable pressure upon its natural resources.
There is a need to accelerate the process of sustainable development in Pakistan
because the most pressing challenges in these decades for developing countries at
the world level and Pakistan which is ignored in the document will be related to
traded goods, human resources and environment etc. Sectoral sustainable
development should remain consistent with overall sustainable development; the
historical record is consistent with overall and sectoral sustainable development,
particularly the government reformed for the energy, agriculture and industry etc.
Since 2001 in the Perspective Plan (2001- 11) the former and present government
initiated various projects in this regard. Now the growth of industrial sector and
agriculture sector incorporates the environmental consideration which is a step
towards environmental sustainability. The adoption of cleaner production
techniques will able industries to compete according to global standards.
Sustainability of fiscal deficit depends on large scale financial strategies. Fiscal
deficit of any developing nation like Pakistan is directly impacted by the variables
like, spending shortfall, Trade shortage, expansion, joblessness and increasing debt
and debt obligations. So the former and present governments have been consistent
in drafting sustainable fiscal policies. Doing this may solve the economic problems
that are creating hindrance in sustainable development. Pakistan has had the
sustainability process in development over the period, the relationship remains
positively significant that shows in future relationship will exists. According to the
document sustainable development in Pakistan is improving day by day and the
government is keen on implementing the strategies to achieve the goals, which we
have observed from the responsiveness of the model and overall significance of the
model. Form these analysis we have seen three level of development, human,
manufacturing and environmental assets improvement over a long period but
there’s a room for improvement in human assets. Modernization of Human assets
improvement is an urgent need of the economy. Similarly, environment is also very
important for the development economy and thus can’t be neglected. We can
conclude that for achieving the sustainable development goal we have to focus on
innovation and productivity in assets particularly human, manufacturing and
environmental assets. More emphasis should be on research to focus on the
aspects of innovation regarding human, manufacturing and environmental assets
for more and more productivity, which is the core of sustainable growth in Pakistan.