Education Health and Social Security Must Be the First Priorities of the State
By Zaheer Ahmed Awan
In all developed countries the first responsibility of the state is to provide free education free healthcare and strong social security to every citizen. These three sectors are the basic foundation of any successful society. An educated healthy and protected population becomes the real strength of a nation. But in Pakistan governments have never treated these sectors as top priorities. Every year our national and provincial budgets clearly show how little is spent on education health and social protection.
During elections political parties make big promises. They claim they will change the life of the common man. Some talk about roti kapra makan. Others speak of national development and solving poverty. But after coming into power the focus shifts. More than half of the national budget is spent on interest payments of loans. The remaining budget goes to defence salaries and other government expenses. Very little is left for the people. This is why basic facilities remain weak even after seventy eight years. The condition of public hospitals in Punjab is a clear proof. Essential medicines are often not available. There are not enough beds. Many machines are out of order. In rural hospitals even basic tests are missing. Doctors are too few and patients are too many. The poor suffer most because private hospitals are too expensive. In Punjab twelve thousand government schools have already been handed over to private organisations. This has increased inequality because poor children cannot afford paid education. Many schools lack teachers clean drinking water electricity and proper buildings. Across the country daily wage workers farmers labourers and low income families live extremely difficult lives. When a worker becomes sick injured or disabled there is no government support. There is no safety net for widows orphans and poor families. Social security in Pakistan is almost non-existent. This is why poverty continues to rise. Around the world the situation is very different. Countries like Sweden Norway Finland Denmark Germany and the United Kingdom spend a major part of their national wealth on education health and social protection. In Sweden healthcare is free for everyone. In Norway education from primary to university level is the responsibility of the state. Germany has one of the strongest social security systems where unemployed disabled and sick individuals receive regular government support. The United Kingdom provides free treatment through its National Health Service. China has lifted millions out of poverty by investing heavily in public welfare.
All successful nations follow one basic rule. They focus on people first. When people become strong the country becomes strong.The Constitution of Pakistan clearly states that every citizen has the right to life education clean environment and basic welfare. It is the duty of the state to provide these services. But the current situation does not match these constitutional promises. Federal and provincial governments allocate very small amounts for education health and social protection. Compared to international standards Pakistan spends far less on its people. As long as these three sectors are ignored true progress cannot be achieved. The real strength of Pakistan is its people not roads not buildings not political slogans. If the government ensures quality education free treatment and a proper social security system then poverty will decrease families will become stable and the country will move forward. Now is the time to set real priorities. Free education for every child. Healthcare for every citizen. Support for every worker farmer widow orphan and disabled person. These are not luxuries. These are basic rights.
If Pakistan wants to join the developed world then these rights must be guaranteed. The state must choose whether it wants real progress or only political statements. Only by investing in its people can Pakistan build a strong future for the next generations.
Read in Urdu: تعلیم،صحت،سوشل سکیورٹی ریاست کی اولین ترجیحات
