| Sindh’s social indicators have
remained well behind its economic performance, with high levels of
illiteracy, malnutrition and mortality. The poor social status has
a major impact on its economy, environment, and water resources; and
are directly linked to the poverty and gender complex that needs to
be addressed. Public social services—education, health, nutrition,
population welfare, and water and sanitation—are run-down, primarily
due to chronic problems in governance, capacity, and financing. The
Social Action Program (1992–2002) had mixed results due to the
prevailing economic problems of the 1990s, the time it took to generate
commitment for social services, and the lack of focus on service delivery
and related governance.
In the past 3 years, a policy framework has been put in place comprising
the Poverty Reduction Strategy and Program, the Local Government
Ordinance, sector specific policies and program, and the Sindh Reform
Program. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting administrative
and fiscal devolution through the Decentralization Support Program,
while the Access to Justice Program supports legal and judiciary
reforms. The Sindh Reform Program is addressing macro financial
and administrative issues with the support of the World Bank’s
Structural Adjustment Credit. The Sindh Provincial Government (SPG)
is committed to poverty reduction, devolution, and social sector
development toward the Millennium Development Goals, and has requested
ADB to provide program support for devolved social services in the
province. Pakistan’s devolution provides a window of opportunities
to undertake reforms in the social services. Initial improvements
have been noted and local bodies are eager to move ahead.
However, they need both technical and financial support to do so.
The Local Government Ordinance supports greater involvement of community-based
organizations (CBOs), nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and the
private sector. These have become important forces in social services
expansion, and the transition provides a unique opportunity to develop
partnerships. The proposed approach—flexible support to local
governments to carry out their own agenda based on certain terms
and conditions to ensure accountability and maximize benefits for
the poor—reflects the major thrust that emerged from the participatory
planning process undertaken
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