In Search of Greener Pastures

Ever since Pakistan’s conception, migration seems to be the dominant attitude of its citizens. As the British sun finally settled in Southeast Asia in 1947, the world witnessed a massive migrant movement of Indian Muslims to Pakistan. Initially, both urban and rural sectors received the migrants. However, the absence of rural development accompanied by increasing social/income inequality forced many to seek refuge in urban areas. In a 30-year period (1951-1981), the urban population quadrupled and is still augmenting at an annual rate of approximately 4%. Though armed with visions of a better life in cities, a vast majority of this “moving” segment of the population realized that city life does not have solutions to their problems rather it has dilemmas of its own to offer to their distraught souls. They escaped from the tyranny of the feudal lords only to become entangled in the web of urban life.

Cities like Karachi and Lahore are inhabited by more than 10 million people each. However, these cities are not economically equipped to support such dense population, resulting in greater exacerbation of social conditions of both the migrant workers and the natives. Even though there are spurts of affluent sectors, the cities are mostly drenched in poverty and contribute a major portion to the 50 million citizens living below the poverty line. The streets lined with impoverished men, women, and children have become a permanent sight. The middle class urban populace has become apathetic to the sight of these beggars; their vision is blinded by their selfishness. Following is merely a synopsis of some aspects of deteriorating urban life created both by the influx of migrants as well as the absence of government regulated settlement planning.

To begin with, the first problem encountered by the migrants is the paucity of employment in cities. There is a 2-3 times higher rate of unemployment among the poor than the middle class. Not only does poverty limit access to skills necessary for employment in urban areas, the high ratio of workers to jobs ensures that only the best are hired. Exploitation of labor (not even sparing innocent children) is widespread. Workers are forced to work in hazardous working conditions for minimum wages. Cities lure migrants with the charms of better living standards but the opulence produced is mainly confined to the elites with a significantly smaller portion trickling down to the middle class (leaving a very minimum portion to be distribute to the indigent).

With the limited land and high property values of urban areas, shelter for the migrants has become a national crisis. Substandard housing with absence of basic urban facilities like electricity and running water are prevalent. It is estimated that almost 35% of the urban population in Pakistan is relegated to slums or “squatter settlements”. Even living in slums has become a dream for the homeless. The current inadequacy of water supply does not seem to be ameliorated anytime soon. Private vendors have ceased this opportunity to make profits from water distribution that amount to 40-60% higher rates than the public utility. Even at a higher price, the water is replete with contaminants and poses a health risk. The shortage of water is exacerbated by the arrival of migrants and is an issue for all the urban inhabitants, not just the poor.

Such failure to provide basic necessities of life renders the urban environment susceptible to both social and environmental health risks. The high population density of metropolitan areas has resulted in overcrowding which is a major cause of the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Deficiency of sanitation due to high populace is also contributing to an environment of hazardous health factors (Hepatitis, diarrhea, and various viral/bacterial infections). The advent of industrialism has had its negative impact on urban life due to the increase in air and water pollution. Cities like Karachi are incessantly registering threatening levels of carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead poisoning (by product of emission of cars/trucks). Heart related diseases, hypertension, and lung infections are becoming inevitable for the urban commonalty.

The list of municipal problems is infinitely lengthy, thus this was just a brief glimpse at some of the major issues. So one wonders, even with all its shortcomings, why do we continue to experience rural to urban migration? The pervasive, archaic feudalism in rural areas of Pakistan is fueling the much desired (only soon to be discovered unsuccessful) migration of villagers to city. These landlords have ceased the plebeians from experiencing opportunity leading to social and economic mobility. Income inequality is the law of the land. While the farmers incessantly engage in physical exertion, landowners enjoy the rewards of the diligence of their “servants.” Approximately half of Pakistan’s GNP along with most of its export earnings is obtained from the agricultural sector which is controlled by a “few thousand feudal families” who have reigned as Kings on the land that is the natural right of all citizens. The so called “vaderas” and “zameendars” rule with absolute power over the lives of the farmers; from water distribution to fertilizers, credits, police and judicial matters, they employ supreme power.

The main solution to Pakistan’s deepening poverty predicament is the revival of land reforms. The government must implement land reforms that call for distribution of land to the poor either by providing reimbursement to previous owners or by confiscation (confiscation is justified since for decades these landowners have exploited the labor force). To be successful, the reforms must also be accompanied by easy access to credits/loans, technological assistance as well as reasonable market prices. Free distribution of still lands will allow not only farmer families to benefit but also expand the surrounding local markets as each would provide services to the other. Unequal land ownership is not just a rural problem rather it is a national crisis. The trickle “up” effect of poverty in rural areas is slowly but surely consuming the urban sectors also. The time to revive the issue of land reforms is right now before we once again become subjects of a “democratic” government ruled by the feudal lords and their descendants. One can argue that land reforms in Pakistan in 1959 and 1972 failed but that is not a reason to not reinitiate its implementation. The method of implementation of the reforms resulted in failure; the ruling class (landlords) cannot be expected to execute laws against their own personal interests.

I would like to request an altruistic approach by the middle class/conscious upper class who has long neglected the issue to become active in this noble cause. If interested in volunteering for a non-profit organization working to ameliorate Pakistan’s social/economic conditions, please email s_imitaz24@yahoo.com, dia_bal@hotmail.com, or writetofaizah@hotmail.com.