Institute of social and cultural studies

University Of The Punjab, Lahore

Submitted by Namra

Submitted to Mam Shamoona Zia

Assignment

Approaches to Development

 
Q. Which approach of development in your opinion would be more
appropriate for Pakistan in order to bring Social Development? Give a
strong argument to support your view.
Answer:-
According to my point of view the “Grass root” “Bottom up”approach is more appropriate for
bringing social development in Pakistan.

 Introduction to Grass root development approach

The IAF uses the term “grassroots development” to describe the process by which
disadvantaged people organize themselves to improve the social, cultural and economic
well-being of their families, communities and societies. This concept is based on the
premise that the key to sustainable democracies, equitable societies and prosperous
economies is a people-oriented strategy that stresses participation, organizational
development and networking.foundation, i. a. (July 16,2018). inter american foundation.
general.

 The grass root development framework

 Importance of Grass root Development Strategies

The people involved in grassroots movements are usually those who understand the
issues best because they are part of the community most affected by the problem at
hand. Because they are part of the community, they are also more likely to have some
 kind of affiliation with local key contacts with those who have the power to bring about
the desired change, or can be persuaded that the change is a good thing.
Grassroots efforts also give a voice to everyone in the community who cares about the
issue, both those for and against the proposed change(s). Fruitful discussions between
these two groups are likely to provide the most acceptable solutions to the overall
community. Community members involved in grassroots movements often have a more
realistic idea of what happens when the rubber of policy hits the road.

Why it is more appropriate for the development of Pakistan?

The Pakistan is facing key challenges and issues in the development of social
sector mainly in listed below fields:-

In education health
Energy Security and the environment due to lack of
policy Framework
Lack of governance Lack of technological advancement
Unstable strategies Lack of leadership
Poor project management Lack of innovation and inefficient utilization of
resources

Pakistan’s infrastructural situation is relatively poor by international standards and this

has an acute effect on the lives of every Pakistani in the country. Everyone suffers from
electricity shortages and the lack of proper water and sanitation provisions. Also as the
population increases our problems have gotten worse. The Government of Pakistan and its
people face an uphill battle against poor infrastructure .

In response to the failure of development projects in 1950s, social activists and

fieldworkers observed that the populations concerned were not included in project's design
and implementation. Failure was linked to the lack of local people's involvement in
developmental projects. It was assumed that if local people were involved, projects would have
been more successful (AWARD, 2008).Adopting a people oriented approach (grass root) rather
than a government outlook (Trickle down) will bring more development in Pakistan. Because
there are more diversity in cultural, social and religious context in the Islamic republic of
Pakistan so the involvement of people in the decision making process of any project of any
province is more important in the Pakistan.

The improvement and expansion of infrastructure through the down-up approach of

development is a pre-requisite for sustaining and accelerating economic growth and social
development in a country. Improving quality and service coverage in power, water supply and
sewerage treatment, transport and logistics is crucial for Pakistan’s economy and to improve
the quality of life.

Poverty in Pakistan is essentially rural because state institutions are ineffective and
practically absent at the village level. In addition the status quo is not acceptable. Villages are
further declining, with human rights violations, unemployment (due to the youth bulge) and
unattended sanitation issues running rampant. Almost all villages have extremely low standards
of living.We have wasted a great deal of time in paying lip-service to rural poverty in policy and
subsequently following a faulty development design deployed through our failing civil services
and dysfunctional sub-district state structures. This needs to shift our system towards
grassroots approach by the Sanitation and water supply, improved farming through use of
appropriate technology,education, health care improvements and family planning,
development of local industries and businesses through micro loans and the reduction in
bureaucracy, improved marketing and access to markets, land and property rights, access to
enabling technologies such as the Internet and mobile phones.