ISLAMABAD: Despite several noteworthy headways in women empowerment and controlling communicable diseases, the country is far behind to achieve the set targets under the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, according to a report of the special committee of the National Assembly.
The report was laid by Chairperson of the National Assembly Special Committee on MDGs Shahnaz Wazir Ali.
The report presented the status of MDGs and the observation and findings of the committee members regarding the factors those had been hindering achievement of the agreed goals.
"Although Pakistan is on several goals but noteworthy headway has been made in some areas because of the unwavering commitment of the government. The accomplishment of remaining targets while challenging is possible if concerted efforts are made both by federal and provincial governments," the committee reports states.
Regarding poverty alleviation, the committee report said around 22.3 percent of Pakistan's population fell below the poverty line in 2005-06. Although there is little reliable data to assess where country stands, it seems that Pakistan is not going to meet the MDG of reducing poverty incidence to 13 percent.
The committee found out that the national literacy rate stands at 58 percent which is far below the MDG target of 88 percent. With the current state of progress, it seems that Pakistan will not be able to achieve this goal within the agreed timeframe.
Regarding elimination of gender disparity in primary and secondary education, the report states that Pakistan would not be able to achieve three of four indicators because women's literacy rate has fallen over the year from 64.3 percent to 54.3 percent.
Moreover, the targets of youth literacy, women employment will not be achieved and the only target met by the country was the women's seat in the national parliament.
About the target of infant mortality, the committee report said that there is an overall full immunization rate of 81 percent and it seems as MDG target of 90 percent full immunization by 2015 may be achievable.
According to the report, the country also lagged behind in maternal mortality ratio because at national level, antenatal care coverage was just 64 percent in 2010-11 compared to the target of 100 percent.
The committee also recommended the large scale survey and in absence of any such survey, the indicator is not updated and is not available in disaggregated form.
Moreover, the target of forest cover of 6 percent will not be achieved and provinces are not supporting the national forestation policy being developed by the environment ministry. Pakistan had targeted the regularization of Katchi Abadis to increase from 50 percent in 2001-02 to 95 percent. The current status indicates that 60 percent of these have been regularized.
The committee recommended that in next parliament, an MDG Special Committee may be constituted to track progress on achievement of MDG goals and make recommendations for acceleration up to 2015 and beyond.
Moreover, the registration of births and death should be ensured and the Planning Commission should establish a poverty reduction and MDGs dedicated cell to track progress continuously.
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