Experts were unanimous that problems being faced by the people could be resolved through qualitative changes in the governance. These views were expressed at the launching ceremony of a report "Human Development in South Asia-2005" published by Mahbubul Haq Human Development Centre here on Wednesday.
Dr Ishrat Husain, Chairman, National Commission for Government Reforms, Dr A R Kamal head of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Dr Arifa Sayeda Zehra, Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women, Dr Najma Najam, Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University and Khadija Haq, head of the Mahbubul Haq Human Development Centre were present on the occasion.
The report presents an in-depth analysis of the multiple threats to human security from conflicts in South Asia, from economic, health and environmental insecurities due to governance failure at many levels.
It highlights that dangers and deprivations in South Asia from nuclear weapons, armed insurgencies, and communal uprisings to pose huge challenges to human development and is a threat to people's security. It emphasises that without human security, territorial security becomes ineffective and ultimately, self-defeating.
Presenting highlights of the report, Khadija Haq said that people suffer in South Asia more from poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, unemployment and failure of institutions to provide good governance than they do from external aggression.
She said that almost 40 percent South Asia's population lives below the poverty line and 300 million people in the region are chronically malnourished, making 40 percent of the developing world's people food insecure.
Giving details of conflict in the region, she said that five South Asian countries were involved in major wars during 1960-95, with a total of 2.5 million deaths and regional military expenditures between 1995 and 2004 shows 50 percent increase.
It is also mentioned in the report that three of the 10 countries with the largest number of tuberculosis (TB) patients are in South Asia mainly in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.