highlighting social injustice, unequal distribution of resources, prevalent corruption, foreign interference, food insecurity, non-inclusive polices and many other complex challenges to peoples’ real economic and political empowerment in Pakistan, the experts and media persons underlined the need for challenging the fundamental paradigm of state in the favor of public, provincial autonomy, and addressing the worsening crisis of governance.
Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI gave a detailed presentation on social dimension of food insecurity during an interactive media briefing on “The relationship between food insecurity, poverty, extremism and conflict” jointly organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with United States Institute of Peace (USIP) at National Press Club, Islamabad on Tuesday. A significant representation from media was observed in the event which contributed to the proceedings. Moeed Yusuf of USIP, while giving opening remarks, underlined that we should learn from experiences of other countries who improved their internal management and resolved internal conflicts and subsequently developed without needlessly relying on foreign countries to help them to progress. “Corruption has become a norm in Pakistan and without individual self-accountability it is impossible to develop a balanced society in Pakistan”, he added.
Dr Suleri highlighting the key findings of recently launched Food Insecurity Report 2009 jointly published by WFP, SDPI and SDC, said that the results show that food insecurity at the household, district, provinces and country levels became more severe as compared to 2003 and more particularly after ongoing massive floods in the country. He said that 80 out of 131 (61 per cent) districts were food-insecure in Pakistan in pre-flood situation adding that in terms of population, 48.6% of the population was food insecure with various degrees of food insecurity. He said there was interconnectedness between individual, national, regional and global security. He said that poverty and hunger was a security concern as there existed a strong linkage between food security, hunger, poverty, and vulnerability to disasters. He underlined the need that the citizens should challenge the fundamental paradigm of state which was focusing more on non-development expenditures such as debt-servicing, defense, day to day administration and very little was left for development and people. “ Lack of investment on individuals and their social development was among few major reasons behind extremism and terrorism in Pakistan” he added.
Faisal Nadeem Gorchani, Head, Policy Advocacy and Outreach, SDPI gave an overview of human development situation in western part of district Rajanpur particularly of Union Councils Tribal Area Mat Kund, Tibi Lundan, Harrand and Wah Lishari which present poor human development indicators, abysmal socio-economic conditions, and appalling development scene with majority of population suffering with poverty, illiteracy, malnourishment and unemployment. “People affected by hill torrents have a growing sense of resentment that they have been either ignored altogether or inappropriately taken care of, given the extent and scale of destruction in these areas since the overwhelming focus of district administration, non-government organizations (NGOs/INGOs) and media have been on the people and areas affected by the unprecedented devastation of Indus River” he added.
During an interactive question-answer session the media persons and experts held a detailed discussions on issues such as social injustice, unequal distribution of resources, prevalent corruption, foreign interference, non-inclusive polices, lack of social safety nets, vested interests, lack of public participation and ground realities in policies, sense of fear, lack of check and balance system, changing social values into corporate values, denial of provincial autonomy and right of provinces over their resources, lack of judicious utilization of resources, lack of water reservoirs creating energy shortages, unemployment, dual polices and foreign interference into Pakistan’s internal affairs, feudalism, vacuum of visionary leadership, absence of long-term policies, absence of rule of law and many other complex challenges to peoples’ real economic and political empowerment in Pakistan.
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