ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The government has taken a number of steps to improve Human Development Index and consistently increasing allocated funds on the sector, and spend Rs 13670.8 billion in last six fiscal years.
The amount spend on the sector in 2011-12 was Rs 1938.3 billion, Rs 1913.3 billion in 2012-13, Rs 1934.2 billion in 2013-14, Rs 2162.7 billion in 2014-15, Rs 2694.6 billion in 2015-16 and Rs 3027.7 billion in 2016-17.
Province wise breakup of the expenditure revealed that highest funds were utilized in the Federal Capital during the said period amounting Rs 4909.5 billion, followed by Rs 4480.1 billion in Punjab, Rs 2264.3 billion in Sindh, Rs 1427.7 billion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Rs 776.6 billion in Balochistan.
The subject of human development has primarily been devolved to the provinces after the 18th amendment, however, the federal government has taken various policy initiatives to improve Human Development Indicators in the Country, official sources told the state-run news agency.
Pakistan’s performance in the human development remains below par which is gradually improving with the initiatives of the incumbent government.
Some of the initiatives of the major initiative to improve level of Human Development in the Country included, steering the economy to higher growth path and making economic growth more inclusive and sustained.
It also extended the outreach of social safety nets to over five million people which represents over 16 percent of the population.
The amount of cash transfers under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to the poorest of the poor was increased from Rs.3000 per quarter in 2013 to Rs 4700 per quarter in 2016.
The government also reduced incidence of indirect taxation and broaden the base of income tax besides enhancing the allocations for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to improve distributional mechanism.
It also focused on widening the access to quality services like endowment fund for education, up-scaling nutrition etc.
The Prime Minister’s Health Insurance scheme was also to extend the coverage of health services.
It also ensured equality of opportunities for all segments of society through merit based recruitment system.
Revamping skill development and self-employment schemes through the PM Youth Business loan initiatives are also part of these initiatives.
It also reformed and strengthen institutions for better delivery of public services to people for making development more inclusive and participatory.
Energy sector initiatives were also introduced to promote growth and production having direct relation to poverty reduction.
It also increased spending on education to empower youth for making them gainful members of the society, whereas opening doors of socio-economic uplift through China Pakistan Economic Corridor is also a major step for better future.
