Arshad Mahmood Awan

Human development is not just about economic growth or material possessions. It’s a holistic concept encompassing the expansion of people’s capabilities, choices, and freedoms to shape their lives and live with dignity. It seeks to ensure that people not only survive but thrive, leading fulfilling lives in good health, with access to education, knowledge, and opportunities.

Why is Human Development Important for a Country?

1. Enhanced Productivity and Economic Growth: When people are healthy, educated, and equipped with skills, they become more productive workers, driving innovation and entrepreneurship. This translates into increased economic growth, creating a virtuous cycle of progress.
2. Improved Health and Well-being: Human development focuses on addressing basic needs like clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. This leads to lower infant mortality rates, longer life expectancy, and a healthier population, further contributing to societal progress.
3. Reduced Poverty and Inequality: By investing in education and skills training, particularly for marginalized groups, human development promotes equitable access to opportunities and resources. This helps close the gap between the rich and poor, fostering a more just and stable society.
4. Increased Civic Engagement and Democracy: Empowered citizens with critical thinking skills become active participants in shaping their communities and nations. This strengthens democratic institutions and promotes accountability in governance.
5. Environmental Sustainability: Human development emphasizes responsible resource management and promotes sustainable practices. This fosters a sense of stewardship towards the environment, ensuring a healthy planet for future generations.

Developing Human Capital in Pakistan: A Roadmap for Progress

1. Strengthening Public Education and Healthcare: Pakistan needs to prioritize expanding access to quality education from early childhood to higher levels. This includes revising curricula to foster critical thinking and relevant skills, improving teacher training, and addressing gender disparities in enrollment. Similarly, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, access to essential medicines, and preventive care initiatives will be crucial.
2. Investing in Skills Development and Vocational Training: Equipping the workforce with skills relevant to the current and future job market is vital. This requires expanding vocational training programs, apprenticeship opportunities, and on-the-job training initiatives.
3. Empowering Women and Girls: Gender equality is critical for human development. Pakistan needs to invest in girls’ education, address social and cultural barriers to their participation in the workforce, and promote equal access to resources and opportunities.
4. Strengthening Social Protection and Safety Nets: Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled, and those living in poverty, need targeted support. Expanding social safety nets and promoting inclusive insurance schemes will provide critical relief and empower these groups.
5. Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship: An environment that encourages innovation and nurtures entrepreneurial spirit is key to unlocking human potential. Pakistan needs to invest in research and development, create incubators and accelerator programs, and simplify regulations for starting new businesses.

Developing human capital in Pakistan requires a long-term commitment and concerted efforts from both the government and civil society. It necessitates prioritizing investments in education, healthcare, skills development, and social protection while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. By investing in its people, Pakistan can build a brighter future for its citizens and unleash the true potential of its nation.

Pakistan’s economic struggles, while significant, pale in comparison to the existential threat posed by its plummeting human development indicators. World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine aptly describes this as a “persistently low quality of basic services”, a vicious cycle that both fuels and is fueled by the economy’s boom-and-bust patterns.

The stark reality is etched in the stunted growth of 40% of Pakistani children under five, with a devastating 7% not even reaching their fifth birthday. The majority of citizens, in both remote regions and metropolitan hubs, grapple with the daily deprivations of clean water, waste disposal, sanitation, basic healthcare, proper nutrition, and education.

The average Pakistani receives a meagre eight years of schooling, contributing to the highest infant mortality rate in South Asia and the lowest life expectancy. With a mere six beds per 10,000 people and a doctor for every 1,300 individuals, the healthcare system stands on the brink of collapse.

These grim statistics translate into a chilling ranking: 161st out of 192 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) for 2021-2022. Pakistan lags behind not only its South Asian neighbors like India (132nd) and Bangladesh (129th) but also Sri Lanka, perched comfortably at 73rd.

This downward spiral in human development underscores the fundamental dysfunction of Pakistan’s economic model, as Mr. Benhassine emphasizes. In a UNDP publication, he paints a stark picture of “eroded progress in poverty reduction” and “benefits of growth concentrated within a narrow elite.”

He envisions a path forward similar to economies like Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, highlighting the need for “deep and sustained policy shifts” in key areas. His reform roadmap encompasses bolstering basic services, bridging the human development gap, strengthening fiscal management, fostering a supportive business environment, and transforming agriculture and energy sectors.

The critical question, however, lies not in the need for reform, but in the will to execute it. Mr. Benhassine rightly recognizes a “broad consensus” on the urgency of change, yet this consensus conveniently excludes the very elites who hold the reins of power.

The crux of the issue lies in the iron grip these elites maintain on Pakistan’s power structure. Their vested interests are intricately woven into the fabric of flawed policies, and any meaningful shift threatens their privileged access to resources and influence.

In the current political landscape, where populism reigns supreme and vested interests trump long-term vision, the prospect of breaking this stranglehold appears bleak. Pakistan, it seems, stands at a crossroads, confronted with the daunting choice between perpetuating a status quo that enriches the few at the cost of the many and embarking on a transformative journey towards a future where human development, not elite prosperity, becomes the cornerstone of progress.

Please, subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com