Budgetary allocations for education will be increased to Rs 47 billion from the current level of Rs 12 billion by 2010 due to high population growth. A well-placed source told Business Recorder that budgetary requirements of the health sector will also be increased up to Rs 14 billion by 2010, as the increasing population will require more health care facilities and medical staff. There will be an additional need of 175,000 doctors, about 40,000 nurses and 35,000 hospital beds by 2010.

They said 35 million people are living below poverty line and their living standard is comparatively lower than other neighbouring countries.

Whereas, 56 million people have access to safe drinking water while 77 million people are living without sanitation facilities, sources added.

Rapid rise in population increases pressure on education, health, housing facilities and becomes the root cause of water shortage, unemployment, poverty, crime, unrest, overcrowding, congestion in households, land fragmentation and 'katchi abadis', they said.

It was also informed that 813,000 additional teachers will be required and government will need 84,000 additional primary schools.

It was also mentioned that water shortage problem will become crucial as 1000 cubic meter water will be available for 176 million population by 2012.

It was informed that 3.6 million people are facing unemployment problem and 9 times increase is recorded in unemployment rate in the country during the past three decade, which shows the government failure in tackling the issue.

Pakistan's population is 151 million at present and there is growing 1.9 percent annually, which shows 2.9 million people are added to the population each year.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005