CASE STUDY 2

COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: PAKISTAN AND

BANGLADESH

I. FACTS OF THE CASE

o In 1971, Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan.

o Bangladesh is referred to as East Pakistan, whilst Pakistan is referred to as West
Pakistan.
o In the early years, the two countries had a similar national policy, even though
they were at odds.
o It did not benefit everyone equally.
o Due to distributed agricultural production, chances for women employment in
export sectors, remittances from relatives working abroad, and the amazing
participation of indigenous non-governmental groups combating poverty in
Bangladesh, extreme poverty has decreased.
o According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), Pakistan's female literacy rate was 40% and its male
literacy rate was 20% while the female literacy rate in the United States was 69
percent, and the male literacy rate in Bangladesh was 62 percent, both countries
were now making significant progress in literacy and education.
o Child malnutrition has decreased from two-thirds to less than half of all children,
while
o In Pakistan, it is still lower, at around 38%. Bangladesh profited from their
growing green revolution in terms of nutrition.
o Both nations had exceptionally high birth rates, with over 6 births per 1,000
people woman. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has made considerably more
success in lowering fertility than Pakistan because it has placed a heavy focus on
an effective family planning approach.
o In this regard, Pakistan has the upper hand. Both countries experienced social
divisions in ethnic groups and languages
o Since its independence in 1947, Pakistan has received a large amount of help.
 o In terms of corruption, neither of the two nations has been transparent;
Transparency International assigned Pakistan a score of 27 and Bangladesh a
score of 26.
o Pakistan has had an aristocratic growth paradigm, whereas the citizen sector or
non-profit/non-governmental organizations has a thriving Bangladesh government
organization.

II. PROBLEMS OF THE CASE

1. How may Pakistan's performance in terms of social development and growth be

improved?
2. How can societal divides in Pakistan and Bangladesh be less harmful to ethnic groups
and their languages?

III. SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM

PROBLEM 1

1. In Pakistan, social workers and even non-governmental groups should raise public
awareness about social development. By being more aware of the concerns and problems
that Pakistan has, its residents may be able to resolve these issues and begin changing
their habits so that they do not simply maintain their current condition. Non-
governmental groups should come up with novel ideas in this area, such as citizen-led
initiatives that promote social change.
2. In light of Pakistan's rising population and female fertility, social workers should launch
a public awareness campaign on how overpopulation might hurt one's country. In
addition, couples should engage in rigorous family planning and contraception usage.
PROBLEM 2

1. In order to bridge the gap between ethnic groups and languages in Pakistan and
Bangladesh, the government should declare the territory tribal, ensuring self-governance
and acknowledging the cultural rights of the region's indigenous peoples.
2. Both nations' governments should cooperate in and contribute to the creation of special
agencies aimed at bridging societal divides between ethnic groups and advancing
universal human rights and basic freedoms.

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

I believe that social workers and non-governmental organizations should be involved in

raising public awareness about social development in Pakistan. It would be able to elevate
residents' morale and play a role in bringing about reforms that would help their nation
(Pakistan) flourish. This is the remedy I can offer to the above-mentioned Problem #1, because
non-governmental groups should help and play a part in this topic.
I propose that the governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh establish specific agencies
dedicated to bridging societal divides across ethnic groups and languages. They would act as a
trigger for societal divides if these special agencies were to participate. Furthermore, with the
assistance of the government, these agencies might act as a higher level. Overall, I believe this is
the best answer to the above-mentioned Problem #2.

V. CONCLUSIONS
V.I. About the case
Finally, as compared to other nations, the variations in social development between
Pakistan and Bangladesh were not as significant. In contrast to Pakistan, which has always been
associated with sluggish growth, Bangladesh has achieved some significant gains. Bangladesh's
continued growth may be attributed to the government's strategies, which include a consistent
stance toward trade liberalization, education, and political stability in the future years. The rule
of law has also improved. On the other side, Pakistan's political system was weak due to some
elites and leaders who were overwhelmed by their position and abandoned those who were most
in need. However, it must be admitted that Pakistan has achieved progress on a number of social
metrics. Nonetheless, in order to achieve growth and advancement in a timely manner, social
development measures should be reinforced and executed.

V.II. About the topic

Pakistan's and Bangladesh's differences outnumber their similarities. Pakistan has
parched lowlands and high mountains, whereas Bangladesh, with the exception of a tiny
mountainous eastern portion inland of Chittagong, has a well-watered and low-lying
environment. The management of restricted water resources is a big issue in Pakistan, whereas
flooding is a major one in Bangladesh every year. The primary distinctions between the two
nations after their split in 1971 are in their population and political growth. Bangladesh remained
one of the poorest countries in the world, while Pakistan expanded its agricultural and
manufacturing industries.