Pakistan is unlikely to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, and this could adversely affect the region economically. The GDP growth rate in the country between 2000-2012 averaged 4.5 percent but inequalities during the same period increased to 0.27 to 0.29. The goals agreed by the country are eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality rates, improving maternal health, combating HIV/Aids, malaria, and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development. In order to achieve these agreed MDGs, a practical solution needs to be adopted at the government and provincial level engaging the relevant stakeholders.
The role of individual philanthropists must be appreciated because their contributions provide assistance to the government in achieving these targets. There is a need for inclusive development agenda to ensure sustainable economic development and providing peace and security to the citizens.
JAHANZEB KHAN,
Islamabad, January 26.