AS a policy analyst, the fight against poverty in Pakistan weighs heavily on my mind, especially as we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Poverty in Pakistan is not just a statistic; it’s a harsh reality for millions. With over 58.7 million people living below the poverty line, the issue goes beyond economics- it’s deeply tied to inequality, marginalization and a lack of upward mobility. Through my work with Amnesty International, I’ve witnessed their commitment to addressing poverty in Pakistan as a human rights crisis. According to Amnesty, “Poverty in Pakistan is not merely an economic challenge; it is a human rights crisis.” This underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates human rights advocacy with sustainable development, ensuring marginalized communities are empowered and included in decision-making processes.
Living near France Colony in Islamabad, an informal settlement predominantly populated by Christians living in abject poverty, I see firsthand the stark contrast between the affluence of the city and the deprivation in the slums. It’s not just about the lack of infrastructure- sanitation, water, or schooling- but the deep sense of disempowerment that traps people in a cycle of exclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire communities were left out of the vaccination drive because they lacked national identity cards. This wasn’t just a health crisis but a human rights issue that revealed the gaps in our social fabric. It’s not just about income; it’s about access to tools that create real change, such as education and employment. Without access to the formal sector, mistrust in institutions deepens, and isolation grows.
This exclusion isn’t unique to France Colony. Across Pakistan, a “culture of poverty” has taken root, where poverty becomes so ingrained that it shapes people’s perceptions of life. When survival is the priority, long-term development feels like a luxury. This mindset keeps communities locked in a vicious cycle of deprivation. To eradicate poverty in Pakistan, we need more than policies; we need a shift in how we approach the issue. It’s not enough to focus on economic interventions or temporary aid. We must dismantle the systems of exclusion that keep communities marginalized. Sustainable development feels out of reach when people don’t even have basic rights. No matter how well-intentioned our policies are, they won’t succeed unless the community is empowered to participate in the solution. In France Colony, sustainable practices like solid waste management or water access could improve living conditions, but the community lacks institutional support. This raises a critical question: how do we reconcile the immediate needs of survival with long-term sustainability? How can we expect people to care about clean energy or waste management when they lack reliable access to food and water? For me, the answer lies in addressing the root causes of poverty first. By ensuring access to basic resources, we can create the conditions for communities to adopt sustainable practices. Poverty and sustainable development are intertwined, and sustainable progress can only be achieved by empowering marginalized communities through education, health, infrastructure, and inclusion in decision-making processes.
A major gap in our poverty eradication strategies is accountability and governance. I see laws being passed, but without enforcement, they are meaningless. Decades after settling in France Colony, residents are still waiting for the basic rights that should have been guaranteed long ago. The gap between policy and reality only fuels the deep mistrust residents have toward institutions- they’ve been let down too many times. As we observe the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, my call to action is simple: we need to rethink our entire approach. Inspired by Amartya Sen’s capabilities approach, we must recognize that poverty is not just a lack of resources but a deprivation of the capabilities necessary for individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Our strategies must reflect this understanding. We can no longer rely on short-term fixes; what’s needed is systemic, long-term change that addresses the root causes of poverty and empowers communities like France Colony to be part of the solution. The fight against poverty in Pakistan won’t be won overnight. But if we focus on building sustainable pathways, ensuring communities have the tools to rise out of poverty, and holding our systems accountable, we can begin to break the cycle. It’s not about charity or aid- it’s about creating a just, equitable society where everyone, not just a privileged few, can thrive. This is the future we must work toward, and it starts now.
—The writer is a policy advocate and researcher. She is a Public Policy Master’s graduate of King’s College London.
(soha.nisar@yahoo.com)
