According to professor Dr Fateh M. Burfat of the department of sociology, University of Karachi, Pakistan’s absolute poverty level is increasing steadily, Currently more than 50 per cent of the people are living on or under two dollars per day. “Our population can be estimated to have a maximum of 20 per cent who possess all the comforts of life while the rest are barely surviving” he says.

The level of tolerance is also reducing. It is directly linked to this economic inequality. It is this gap, Dr Burfat believes, that is the key reason behind the increase of drug abuse, suicide bombing, street crime, child labour and violence against women.

“Thirty years ago, the poor were unaware of the comfort that the affluent class of Pakistan were enjoying. Now, because of the media, they can witness the boons of life on the other side of the divide. When people don’t have sufficient finances for a healthy diet, or vaccines for their children, it gives birth to countless psychological and sociological problems,” he explains.

It is not just the responsibility of the government, but of all stakeholders to strive to cope with this and understand the gravity of the situation. Dr Burfat warns that if effective measures are not taken quickly then our nation could suffer great loss. “A country’s increasing economic inequality can cause it to disintegrate, just as it did to Russia,” he says.

Identifying another problem Dr Burfat explains that though Pakistan is high in giving charity and participating in philanthropic activities, yet there hasn’t been an impact in alleviating poverty or reducing this gap. He suggests that organised developmental charity would reap more positive and long term effects on the society. If Pakistan were to concentrate more on education and technical skills, this gap can be lessened. —R.K.