The United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) on Monday expressed apprehension about Pakistan's ability to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The statement came a day after Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's announcement that the Planning Commission would shortly launch first 'Millennium Development Goals Report' to elaborate the status and trends for each of the goals, policies and programmes.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Unicef executive director Carol Bellamy categorically said that Pakistan would not be able to achieve its MDGs especially in the field of education. Unicef representative in Pakistan Omar Abidi was also present on the occasion.
Carol Bellamy said lack of investment is major cause of failure to achieve MDGs.
Replying to a question, she stated that Pakistan could not achieve its EFA targets by 2015.
Carol dispelled the notion that religious extremism was a big hurdle in the lack of schooling. She said Pakistan is among 98 countries who will fail to achieve MDGs in the field of education and gender disparity. "During my brief visit to Pakistan I urged Pakistani leaders to invest more in primary education," she added.
Highlighting the basic factors in this connection, she said there is a strong need to invest more in education sector especially in teacher training and to make sure that maximum children go to schools.
"It is disconcerting to see that Pakistan lags behind on these fronts and needs to catch up quickly," she cautioned.
However according to her, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India have achieved significant progress in enhancing literacy rate. Speaking about the health sector, she said Pakistan has made remarkable progress to get rid of polio, achieving 50 percent reduction this year.
Pakistan is one of the six countries where the disease is still endemic, she further said.
She was of the view that 60 percent child deaths in Pakistan could be prevented by focussing attention on a limited number of child diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia and neo-natal infections.
Expressing satisfaction over the low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, Carol said Pakistan is still a low prevalence country but it should ensure that numbers do not increase. Omar Abidi said that there is a need to involve religious scholars to create awareness among the people about HIV/AIDS.
He said involvement of religious leaders in polio immunisation campaign was very fruitful, therefore, the government should also invite them in HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns.