SINDH: SHRINKING ECONOMY AND RISING POVERTY

Donor agencies are now confirming what people of Sindh have known all along in their daily lives. ECONOMY OF SINDH IS SHRINKING WHILE THE POVERTY PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS IS INCREASING.

I like to highlight some approximate numbers which are well known to the Government of Sindh and the Government of Pakistan.

Average growth rate of agriculture for the last five years has been 1.8% for Pakistan; 2.5% for Punjab and MINUS 0.1% for Sindh. NOTE IT HAS BEEN NEGATIVE GROWTH OF AGRICULTURE IN SINDH.

Poverty rate for Pakistan as a whole has decreased from about 47% in 1983/84 to 38% in 2001/02. In 1983/83, Sindh had lower poverty rate than Pakistan as a whole. It was about 38%. However, by 2001/02, Sindh's poverty has become worse than that of Pakistan as a whole and became 42%.

The urban rural differences have become shocking during the period. Urban poverty in Sindh was 30% in 83/84 and has come down to 25% in 2001/02. While the rural poverty which was about 47% in 83/84; decreased to 35% in 1996/97 (PPP period); but jumped to about 52% in 2001/2002. THE PERIOD FROM 1996/97 WHEN SINDHIS WERE EFFECTIVELY THROWN OUT OF DECISION MAKING PROCESS, HAS SEEN TREMENDIOUS INCREASE IN PVERTY OF SINDH.

I find this eye opening information. I believe that every justice loving citizen of the world, every Pakistani and every Sindhi should ask WHY HAS THIS HAPPENED.

I DRAW ATTENTION OF PRESIDENT MUSHARAF AND PARTICULARLY SO CALLED SINDHI CHIEF MINISTER OF SINDH TO THIS INJUSTICE. All those who are party to this SHRINKING ECONOMY AND RISING POVERTY in Sindh during a period of rising economy and shrinking of poverty in Pakistan should explain their actions to people of Sindh.

Your input and help towards development of Sindh is always welcome.

Ali Nawaz Memon
Sindh Development Institute
7204 Antares Drive
Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA 20879
http://sindhdevelopmentinstitute.blogspot.com/
sindhhouse@hotmail.com