In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of." (Chinese Proverb)Poverty in Pakistan is one of the most burning issues. As of 2010, "about 40 percent of the total population was living below the poverty line" (World Bank). It means more than one-third of the total population or in other word about 70 million out of 180 million people are living below the poverty line. The history shows that there was declining rate of poverty in 1970s and 1980s. However, from 1990s till today the poverty is in increasing trend. This phenomenon has been called POVERTY BOMB.
The main reasons of Poverty in Pakistan is the destabilizing of democracy, unbridled corruption, fast growing population, sorry state of education sector, ineffective management of natural resources, feudalism, uncontrolled inflation etc. Besides these national factors there are some International factors which have added fuel to the fire. Like global financial crisis, increasing price of oil, world food crisis etc
"Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn't commit". (Eli Khamarov)
EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON SOCIETY
1. Child Labor
The first and most immediate Effects of Poverty in Pakistani Society is that People will not send their child to Schools. As we know that "CHILD IS THE FATHER OF TOMORROW", if our child wasted in this way then not only our Society but Country will face problems in the future. Today in Pakistan about 4 million Children in the age group of 5-14 years are working (Federal Bureau of Statistics).
This is poverty which force them to work in the formative years at very risky places i.e. Underground mines, work with live electrical wires over 50 V, Cement industry, Tobacco process and manufacturing etc.
2. De-track from Moral and Religious values
"No man can worship God or love his neighbor on an empty stomach." (Woodrow- T. Wilson)
From the above quotation we can very easily understand that what people are doing in the state of Poverty. They did not care of the Moral or Religious value. What is good for them is that which satisfy their needs and necessities.
3. Crimes and Violence
Crime and violence is the direct Effect of Poverty in Pakistan. The most common form of human trafficking is for prostitution (violence), which is largely fueled by poverty. According to a survey, most of poor men violence on their wives for income purposes. They force their women family members to earn something even by selling their bodies. Street crime is also the ultimate Effect of Poverty in Pakistan.
4. Health Problems
Poor people are suffering from so many diseases. They haven't enough resources for treatment. This is the reason that Pakistan is ranked 135th out of 194 countries in the Index of Life Expectancy at the time of Birth. In Pakistan the life Expectancy rate at the time of Birth is very low i.e. 65 years. Whereas, in western countries it is 80+ years i.e. Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Switzerland, Iceland etc
5. Sub-standard lives
By observing above factors one can very easily understand that overall Effect of Poverty in Pakistani Society is that, they are living Sub-Standard life.