THE SLUMS IN PAKISTAN.| Written by Danial Tanvir
Pakistan is a poor country, and apart from that, a large number of people are living in slums, especially in major cities such as Lahore and Karachi, in addition to other towns and rural areas.
These slums, also known as kachi abadis in Urdu, are home to millions of people who suffer due to poverty and unemployment. They work tirelessly under the scorching sun just to make ends meet, yet often fail to do so.
The residents of these areas have little or no access to quality healthcare or education, which is extremely unfortunate. They also lack clean drinking water and proper food. According to statistics, over 56% of the urban population lives in slums.
While the rich enjoy comfortable lives in their homes, the poor are left to suffer. This is the bitter reality of our country. Minorities are also badly affected by these conditions.
Around 38% of slum dwellers do not have access to clean drinking water, and nearly 70% of the children in these areas are out of school. These slums are home to young boys and girls who are deprived of education, healthcare, and basic necessities such as food and water.
We must act to save our country from this disaster. Slums exist throughout Pakistan, and the government must take urgent steps to support these vulnerable citizens.
Our country is burning, and the poor are suffering and even dying due to poverty. Yet, little is being done to address this crisis. We need to provide basic necessities such as food, water, education, and healthcare to slum residents. A greater share of the national budget should be allocated for their welfare.
Many of these people are laborers who perform hard and risky work, such as fixing sewage lines, just to survive. Meanwhile, cities flourish, and the poor become poorer. The most tragic part is that they do not even have access to clean drinking water — the most basic need for human survival.
The slums of Pakistan are considered among the largest in the world, and in many cases, entire cities are turning into slums. These areas are often at risk of demolition, which would leave thousands of families homeless — even though it is not their fault. The government also cracks down on illegal settlements, but this only adds to the suffering of the poor.
Slums are not only found in Pakistan but also in countries like India and other developing nations. A few years ago, I personally visited slums on the outskirts of Islamabad to distribute bananas among children. Shockingly, the children attacked our car in desperation, which showed just how deprived they were — not even having enough food to eat, let alone access to education or healthcare.
Among the slum residents, many Christians also live in extremely poor conditions, struggling for survival. Life in these areas is a daily ordeal, filled with hopelessness and misery.
This situation must change. Children from slums should be sent to school and given proper healthcare. They are the youth, the future, and the only real hope for our country. If given the right opportunities, these children can grow up to become doctors, lawyers, and professionals — valuable assets for Pakistan.
There are millions of people living in these slums under conditions that are not even fit for animals. The continuous growth of these settlements also contributes to the problem of overpopulation.
We must act now to help the poor, deprived citizens of our country. Only then can we build a brighter future for Pakistan.
Danial Tanvir