Pakistan to miss Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The recent floods have affirmed the fears but it was expected that Pakistan would miss the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).In 2000 world leaders came together at United Nations Headquarters in New York to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and other time-bound targets - with a deadline of 2015 - that have become known as the Millennium Development Goals.



With less than five years away, Pakistan is most likely to miss the Millennium development Goals(MDGs).

Much of the last decade has been under the military rule and has seen growing levels of insecurity and conflict. There have been strong movements for the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of the media. It has been plagued by high corruption and crime rate across the country. Today, a quarter of the 170 million population lives in extreme poverty. It spends less than two percent of the budget on health and education and has appalling rates of illiteracy and maternal and infant mortality. There have been innumerable acts of violence and terrorism and Pakistan has the dubious honor as among the top ten Failed States of the world. Democracy has yet to deliver and this affects the development of Pakistan.

It is necessary to accelerate progress and put in extra efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In 2015 it will be better if we were congratulated on achieving these goals successfully rather then looking back at our weaknesses and making excuses for our inability to achieve them. Let us reiterate our firm commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.