Pakistan’s sluggish economic growth has contributed to lack of job opportunities, the country’s Planning Commission told the Senate Committee on Planning on Wednesday.
The commission said the rapid rise in population and a lack of job opportunities were obstructing development in Pakistan.
The committee chairperson, Quratul Ain, voiced concerns over the alarming rate of rise in population, stressing the need for urgent control measures.
According to the Planning Commission, Pakistan’s GDP growth stood at 3.5%, which was lower than the required 7% for sustained economic development.
During the briefing, the officials outlined a five-year plan focused on leveraging technology, promoting tourism, and increasing agricultural productivity.
Among the five-year plan proposed by the committee was the governance improvements in the energy sector and industrial development were termed critical for the economic stability.
Proposals for private sector investment and boosting the SME sector were also mentioned in the plan.
Officials emphasised the importance of removing poverty, CRYPTOC enhancing human resources, and implementing institutional reforms to tackle Pakistan’s INR economic and social challenges.
Earlier in August, several members of the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan organised a protest in Karachi, raising their concerns against the soaring inflation and unfair taxes imposed by the government.
These protesters mentioned that the rocketing inflation and high taxes have been severely impacting the survival of their families.
Additionally, they shared the economic hardship they have been facing. They claim that the government’s policies have caused them immense pain.
They also criticised the government’s imposition of heavy taxes on essential commodities and services, exacerbating the financial difficulties faced by the public.
One female protester said the only tragedy in Karachi they faced was heavy taxes and expensive electricity.
“We are now fed up with these baseless taxes and skyrocketing inflation and are now forced to come out on the streets and raise our voices. Only the government is responsible for our agitation.
“The bills that used to be around mere hundreds are now totalling thousands of rupees, and that too is only because of inflation and taxes. We have even heard people committing suicide due to poverty.
“There are households where children lack education and people are not able to get enough food on the table. People are now able to afford either the education of their children, pay for their family’s food, or pay their bills,” she added.
The Star