Assignment # 02

UCP
Submitted by:
M.Shahzaib Tanveer
Registration No:
G2F22UASAF002
Program:
ADP(A&F)
Course:
PAKISTAN STUDIES
Submitted to:
Prof. RIFFAT
Topic:
Population crisis in Pakistan
Health crisis in Pakistan
Governance crisis in Pakistan

SUBMISSION DATE:
13-Feb-2024
Introduction
Population growth has always been a central point of concern for many. While many believe that the
high population is an asset for Pakistan, unfortunately this is a far stretch from reality. Today, in the
21st century, Pakistan and a handful of its neighbours are the core states under risk of the fallouts of
overpopulation. Amongst these are climate change, food scarcity, and insufficient energy and
resources.
At the time of its independence, Pakistan had a population of 31 million. However, by the year 1995
the number had risen at a staggering speed and reached 140 million. Presently, Pakistan has a
population size of 225,199,929 with a growth rate of 1.9%.The United Nations has predicted that at
this rate Pakistan will hit the 380 million marker by 2050.

Current Situation
While Pakistan faces multiple threats in the forms of hostile neighbouring environments, political
instability, economic crisis, mounting debts and constant soaring prices in oil and other
commodities, the overcrowding that is surely to occur at this rate will eventually lead to a catastrophe
that will contain within itself issues of unprecedented levels.
The drastic accumulation of population will evidently result in rising global warming and pollution,
decrease in valuable land, increasing diseases and exhaustion of non-renewable resources. Pakistan
relies heavily on agriculture, however, there is a defined limit to the physical features a state can
expand upon to feed and shelter its population. With the current levels of population growth,
famine and water scarcity are likely to become a thing of concern as an increase in the number of
people also increases the demand for food, land, water, fuels, and infrastructure. Another matter of
concern is the demography of the population of Pakistan, which shows that 74.22% of the
population is below the age of 35.4 This is a worrying number as the unemployment rate below the
age of 35 is 59.7%5 which creates a burden on the middle age group to sustain the adolescent
population and economy.

Lessons from the region

The example of Bangladesh is one that can illustrate well the possible outlooks to the looming crisis
of overpopulation as well as present specific methods and strategies that can assist in controlling the
population of Pakistan. The social, religious, and economic similarities present between Pakistan and
Bangladesh puts Pakistan in a better position to draw possible strategies that it may also be able to
put in action.
Bangladesh, like Pakistan, was facing the dangers of overpopulation in the 1970s. However, their
policy makers chose to prioritise the issue and designed social awareness campaigns and
programmes that communicated the risks of overpopulation. Bangladesh introduced family planning
and contraceptives through the media and physical campaigning to educate women on the
importance of fewer children for a better economy and their personal health. Collectively, these
policies have altered the fertility rate of Bangladesh from 6.95% in the 1970s to 2.06% in 2017.

Conclusion & Solutions

Pakistan is now at a crucial position in time which requires strong and thorough policies to be
introduced at individual and national level. Individually the public, both adults and youth, need to be
educated on the drawbacks of overpopulation and the importance of the use of contraceptives and
family planning. These are some of the major initiatives that need to be put in place on a large scale.
However, population control cannot be addressed in a matter of years but requires many decades
worth of efforts, research, and policing. Thus, at the national scale, parties must align their strategies
in the hope of overcoming this population threat so that policymakers may be able to create better
and equal opportunities for all. Further actions can also include setting up family clinics and creating
awareness amongst women about their rights.
With a high population growth rate, Pakistan will certainly experience dramatic declines in per capita
availability of arable land, water, and forest resources. Any further lag on this important issue will
further deepen the economic and political crisis in the country and also fuel insecurity challenges
over scarce resources. Hence, the solutions devised by the policymakers need to be comprehensive
and integrated if Pakistan is to achieve sustainable progress and prosperity.
Pakistan, a country located in South Asia, spends very low on its healthcare. Day after day, several
challenges of common health issues in Pakistan arise due to the lack of a proper healthcare system.
Let’s get to know how healthcare in Pakistan works.

Healthcare in Pakistan
Pakistan has a mixed health system that includes public, parastatal, private, civil society, philanthropic
contributors, and donor agencies. According to a survey by The Lancet, the performance of Pakistan’s
healthcare system as a whole places it 154th out of 195 nations. Pakistan struggles to maintain a
suitable healthcare system in terms of quality and accessibility as a developing nation with only 2% of
its GDP allotted for total health expenses.
The frequent cases of infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases in Pakistan illustrate that the
country has a troubled healthcare system.
Long-standing primary causes of death include viral hepatitis, dengue, TB, malaria, typhoid, HIV, and
cholera. These common health issues in Pakistan in 2024 are a result of urban overpopulation, subpar
sanitation, tainted water supplies, and insufficient socioeconomic conditions.
Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of immunization among developed nations, with a 60% total
vaccination rate. As a result, there are a lot of neonatal deaths: 69.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Additionally, even though polio has been eradicated from the rest of the world, Pakistan is still
considered to have an endemic case of the illness. According to records, there were roughly 150 cases
of polio in 2019.

Current Health Issues in Pakistan

In Pakistan, more than 60 million people live below the poverty level. Due to a lack of resources,
some folks cannot even meet their most basic demands. Furthermore, they have nowhere to go with a
medical diagnosis.
There are not enough local hospitals, nurses, and medical professionals in Pakistan to care for
everyone who lives in poverty. The government of Pakistan has not given health care a high priority.
Local hospitals have provided free medical care to the needy, but due to a lack of funding, they are
unable to serve a large number of patients at once. Additionally, due to the waiting list, patients who
require surgical care at nearby hospitals must wait a very long time.
The patient either passes away or becomes sicker by the time it is their turn. In Pakistan, there are
already more than 2 million unfinished procedures, and the figure is rising daily.
On the other hand, residents of rural areas are less conscious of their illness, which prevents them
from receiving timely, effective care. In Pakistan, several diseases are common, and the poor are
primarily affected by them. Amidst this chaos, common health issues in Pakistan are rising.

What are the Possible Solutions for Health Issues in Pakistan?

The government must take strong steps to ensure that Pakistanis have access to high-quality
healthcare. Furthermore, each of us must make a small contribution, as collectively, we can have a
substantial impact on the public health issues in Pakistan.
Some of the possible solutions are:
Increase the taxes on tobacco and alcohol.
Raise healthcare standards. Government must ensure that hospitals have enough resources to serve
patients efficiently.
Global warming is a major cause of public health problems. Increased greenhouse gas emissions from
the manufacturing and disposal of goods contribute to global warming.
Recycling and reusing our household goods is an additional measure we can take to mitigate health
issues in Pakistan.
Promote vaccinations.

Takeaway!
Pakistan is a country where health spending outpaces economic growth, and the demand for improved
health grows by the day. Making the general public aware of how obesity, bad nutrition, and a lack of
physical activity contribute to a variety of health problems can considerably improve the situation.
Additionally, public, commercial, and governmental entities must collaborate for the effective
administration, protection, and upkeep of the environment and public health.
If you want to get a medical check-up for yourself, you can consult a well-known general physician
via Healthwire’s online platform.
Governance crisis
A governance crisis refers to a situation where there are significant challenges or issues in the
functioning and effectiveness of a government or governing system. It typically involves a
lack of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in decision-making and policy
implementation. This can result in political instability, corruption, ineffective public services,
and a loss of trust in the government by the people. It is important for governments to address
governance crises to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of their citizens.

Governance Crisis in Pakistan

In Pakistan, a Governance crisis refers to a situation where there are various challenges and
issues in the functioning of the government and its institutions. It involves problems like
corruption, weak institutional capacity, political instability, lack of accountability, inadequate
service delivery, and the need for better local governance. These challenges can hinder
effective governance, transparency, and the delivery of public services. Addressing the
governance crisis requires comprehensive reforms and collective efforts from the
government, civil society, and citizens to build a more efficient and responsive governance
system.

Issues of Governance crisis in Pakistan

In Pakistan, governance crisis refers to various challenges and issues in the functioning of the
government and its institutions. Here are some key aspects of the governance crisis in
Pakistan:
1. Corruption: Pakistan has faced significant challenges related to corruption, with
allegations of embezzlement, bribery, and misuse of public funds. Corruption undermines
transparency, accountability, and the effective delivery of public services.
2. Weak Institutional Capacity: Many government institutions in Pakistan lack the capacity
and resources to effectively carry out their mandates. This includes areas such as law
enforcement, judiciary, and regulatory bodies, which can lead to inefficiency and a lack of
trust in the system.
3. Political Instability: Pakistan has experienced periods of political instability, including
frequent changes in government and issues related to governance continuity. This can hinder
long-term planning, policy implementation, and effective governance.
4. Lack of Accountability: Holding public officials accountable for their actions and
decisions is crucial for good governance. However, in Pakistan, there have been challenges in
ensuring accountability, leading to a lack of transparency and trust in the government.
5. Inadequate Service Delivery: The governance crisis has resulted in challenges in
delivering essential public services, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure
development. Limited access, poor quality, and unequal distribution of services contribute to
public dissatisfaction.
6. Decentralization and Local Governance: There is a need for stronger local governance
structures and decentralization of power to ensure effective decision-making and service
delivery at the grassroots level. This can help address issues of corruption, accountability, and
responsiveness.
Addressing the governance crisis in Pakistan requires comprehensive reforms, including
strengthening institutions, promoting transparency and accountability, and empowering local
governance. It is a complex challenge that requires the collective efforts of government, civil
society, and citizens to build a more efficient and responsive governance system.

Solution of these Issues

Addressing the challenges of governance crisis in Pakistan requires a multifaceted approach.
Here are some potential solutions:
1. Anti-Corruption Measures: Implement and enforce robust anti-corruption laws and
mechanisms, such as independent anti-corruption commissions, to investigate and prosecute
corruption cases. Promote transparency in government transactions and encourage citizen
participation in oversight.
2. Institutional Strengthening: Invest in capacity-building programs and resources for
government institutions to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency. This includes training
programs, technology upgrades, and improving governance structures.
3. Political Stability: Foster political stability by promoting dialogue, consensus-building,
and respect for democratic processes. Encourage political parties and leaders to prioritize
national interests over personal or party interests.
4. Accountability Mechanisms: Strengthen accountability mechanisms by establishing
independent oversight bodies, such as ombudsman offices, to monitor government actions
and hold public officials accountable for their decisions and actions.
5. Service Delivery Reforms: Focus on improving service delivery by investing in
infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential sectors. Ensure equitable access to
services, especially in marginalized areas, and monitor the quality and efficiency of service
provision.
6. Decentralization and Local Governance: Empower local governments and promote
decentralization of power to ensure effective decision-making and service delivery at the
grassroots level. Enhance the capacity of local institutions and involve citizens in local
decision-making processes.
It is important to note that addressing governance challenges is a complex and long-term
process. It requires the commitment and collaboration of government, civil society, and
citizens to bring about sustainable change and improve governance in Pakistan.